Types of Elder Abuse - Know the 7 Different Forms of Abuse

Quick Answer

Elder abuse occurs when someone intentionally harms or puts an older adult at risk. About 1 in 6 Americans aged 60 and older experience elder abuse, yet only 1 in 24 cases are reported, according to the National Council on Aging (NCOA). Learn types of elder abuse examples, and find out if you can access financial compensation through legal action.

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What Are the Types of Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is an intentional act or failure to act that harms or risks harming older adults, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The elder abuse definition involves a broad range of harmful actions or neglect that affect older adults. This type of mistreatment can happen anywhere.

Abuse often happens at the hands of caregivers or trusted individuals. However, it is also especially common in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.

“Rates of abuse of older people are high in institutions such as nursing homes and long-term care facilities, with 2 in 3 staff reporting that they have committed abuse in the past year.”

— World Health Organization (WHO)

All forms of elder abuse can lead to devastating consequences, including physical and/or emotional harm and even death.

Take action if you or a loved one suffered elder abuse or neglect in a nursing home.

Get started with a free case review.

Key 2025 Statistics on Elder Abuse Types

All 50 states have laws to prevent elder abuse, though the specifics of these laws can vary by state.

Here are important statistics on common types of elder abuse and neglect:

About 1 in 6 adults aged 60+ experienced some form of elder abuse in community settings last year, according to WHO.
Roughly 1 in 10 older adults living at home in the U.S. face elder abuse, including neglect and exploitation.
Abuse rates surged during the COVID-19 pandemic, with WHO estimating increases of up to 84% in community settings.
The global 60+ population is expected to double to 2 billion by 2050, meaning elder abuse cases could increase proportionally.
Psychological or emotional abuse is the most common form, reported in over 11 % of institutional surveys and 11.6 % in nursing homes.
Financial exploitation is more likely to be reported than other types of elder abuse, especially in home care settings.
Older men face higher rates of nonfatal assaults and homicides compared to women.

These statistics show how critical it is to raise awareness and strengthen protections to keep older adults safe from abuse.

Understanding the 7 Types of Elder Abuse

The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) breaks elder abuse down into 7 types of abuse in elderly populations.

What is considered elder abuse?Elder abuse is an intentional act, or failure to act, that causes harm or creates a risk of harm to an older adult.

Understanding the different types of elder abuse and legal protections is key to safeguarding older adults, particularly those living in nursing homes. Learn more about common types of elderly abuse below.

1. Physical Elder Abuse

Elder physical abuse involves the intentional use of force that causes pain, injury, or distress. This can include hitting, slapping, shoving, kicking, or using restraints improperly. It may happen once or occur repeatedly over time.

Common signs of physical elder abuse include:

Broken bones or sprains
Bruises, cuts, or scrapes
Burns
Delayed or repeated emergency room visits
Dislocated joints
Head or spinal injuries
Poor or conflicting explanations from caregivers

Any unexplained injury, especially in a care facility, should be taken seriously as it may be a sign of elder abuse.

We may be able to help if your loved one was harmed in a nursing home.Call (855) 264-6310 or Click to Live Chat right now to get started. Financial compensation may be available.

2. Sexual Elder Abuse

Elder sexual abuse is forced or non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an older adult. This includes sexual interactions with people who have Alzheimer’s and other dementias that prevent them from giving consent.

Warning signs of elder sexual abuse include:

Bleeding from the genitals
Bruising on the inner thighs
New sexually transmitted infections (STIs)
Pelvic injuries
Problems walking or sitting

Older adults can be sexually abused by anyone, including nursing home staff, residents, in-home caretakers, friends, and family members.

3. Neglect of Elderly People

Neglect happens when a caregiver fails to protect an older adult from harm, resulting in serious injuries or illnesses.

What constitutes elder neglect?Elder neglect is the failure to provide needed care, like food, shelter, medical attention, or personal hygiene, harming or risking the safety of an older adult.

Cases of elder and nursing home neglect are not simple mistakes. Instead, they result from carelessness, understaffing, or a lack of regard for an older person’s health.

Signs of elder neglect include:

Dehydration and/or malnutrition
Inadequate or unclean clothing
Insufficient food in the home/long-term care facility
Lack of needed medical aids
Poor personal hygiene
Unclean or unsafe home/long-term care facility
Untreated infections or injuries
Weight loss

Neglect can lead to serious health problems, including bedsores, sepsis, and even death.

If your loved one was harmed in a long-term care facility, we may be able to help you take legal action. Get a free case review right now.

4. Self-Neglect

Self-neglect happens when an older adult can no longer meet their basic daily needs, and they suffer as a result.

An older person may be self-neglecting if they can’t:

Dress themselves appropriately
Drink or feed themselves without help
Maintain basic hygiene
Manage financial affairs
Properly address their medical needs
Run their home properly

Many older adults struggle with letting go of their independence or acknowledging that they may be unable to care for themselves.

However, if an older person has caregivers or lives in a nursing home, then self-neglect should not occur. In these cases, a caregiver may be guilty of elder neglect.

5. Elder Abandonment

Sometimes paired with neglect, elder abandonment happens when someone who cares for an older person intentionally deserts them.

The caretaker may leave the older adult at a hospital, nursing home, or another care facility without any formal arrangement, or with relatives who did not agree to be caregivers.

Someone may be the victim of elder abandonment if they are alone and:

Appear confused, lost, or scared
Have poor hygiene
Seem frail, malnourished, or dehydrated

Regardless of the situation, elder abandonment can lead to a great deal of confusion and pain, putting the older person’s physical health at risk.

6. Emotional Elder Abuse

Psychological and emotional abuse are intentional acts that inflict mental pain, fear, or distress on an older adult.

Emotional abuse can take many forms. For example, caregivers may belittle seniors, call them names, or threaten them. Caregivers may even cut off older people from loved ones or resources.

Signs of emotional and psychological abuse in elders include:

Appearing depressed, withdrawn, or scared
Avoiding eye contact
Eating or sleeping differently
Experiencing mood swings
Isolating from friends and family
Suffering from low self-esteem

Behavioral changes often go hand-in-hand with other types of elder abuse, like physical harm or neglect. This means it’s important to check on your loved one’s overall health if you notice signs of emotional abuse.

Take our elder abuse assessment quiz if you think your loved one is facing mistreatment in a nursing facility.

Were You or a Loved One Abused or Neglected?

Take Our Nursing Home Abuse Quiz

While many elders face health problems as they age, they should never have to suffer from abuse or neglect. Take this quiz to help you identify possible signs of nursing home abuse and learn about next steps.

Let's Begin:

Who may have suffered nursing home abuse or neglect?

Nursing Home Abuse Quiz for:

Question 1

Do your requests for help from staff ever go unanswered for long spans of time?

Question 2

Is medical care hard to access?

Question 3

Do nurses, doctors, and other staff treat you badly or without respect?

Question 4

Have you fallen frequently while living in the nursing home?

Question 5

Have you ever been screamed at or belittled by a staff member or another resident?

Question 6

Have you ever been hit, kicked, bit, or otherwise physically harmed by a staff member or another resident?

Question 7

Have you experienced unwanted touching, groping, or other forms of contact from staff members or visitors?

Question 8

Have your personal items (contacts, hearing aids, credit cards, checks, etc.) ever gone missing?

Question 9

Do you have to wait a long time (several days) for staff to help you wash your body, clothes, or bedsheets?

Question 10

Have you developed serious health problems (infections, bedsores, etc.) while living at the nursing home?

Question 1

Have you noticed any strange changes in the resident since they moved into a nursing home?

Question 2

Does the resident have any injuries (cuts, broken bones, bruises, etc.)?

Question 3

Has the resident complained about the quality of care they’re receiving in the nursing home?

Question 4

Does the resident appear more sad, angry, or confused than normal?

Question 5

Has the resident suffered from repeated falls while at the nursing home?

Question 6

Is the resident’s body, clothing, or bed sheets often dirty?

Question 7

Has the resident developed any serious health problems (infections, bedsores, etc.) while living at the nursing home?

Question 8

Have you noticed any signs of sexual abuse (STDs, injuries around genitals, inappropriate relationships with other residents or staff)?

Question 9

Have you noticed other residents or staff getting angry or yelling?

Question 10

Did the resident pass away while living in or shortly after living in a nursing home?

Question 1

Does anything seem strange when you visit the facility (unfriendly staff/residents, dirty beds or rooms, etc.)?

Question 2

Has the resident complained about the quality of care they’re receiving in the nursing home?

Question 3

Has the resident’s mood recently changed for the worse (new onset of fear, depression, and/or anxiety)?

Question 4

Does the resident have any injuries (cuts, broken bones, bruises, etc.) or appear unclean (dirty hair/clothes/skin)?

Question 5

Has the resident suffered from repeated falls while at the facility?

Question 6

Have you noticed any signs of sexual abuse (STDs, injuries around genitals, and/or inappropriate relationships with other residents or staff)?

Question 7

Has the resident developed any serious health problems (infections, bedsores, etc.) while living at the nursing home?

Question 8

Do the resident’s family members only visit on rare occasions?

Question 9

Did the resident pass away while living in or shortly after living in a nursing home?

Question 10

Have you brought your concerns to the attention of the resident’s family members, friends, or authorities?

Question 1

Does anything seem strange when you visit the facility (unfriendly staff/other residents, unkempt bedding or rooms, etc.)?

Question 2

Does the resident appear withdrawn, agitated, or confused?

Question 3

Does the resident have any injuries (cuts, broken bones, bruises, etc.) or appear unclean (dirty hair/clothes/skin)?

Question 4

Does the resident have a serious health problem (bedsore, infection, untreated injury, etc.) that doesn’t seem to be getting addressed?

Question 5

Has the resident suffered from repeated falls while at the facility?

Question 6

Do staff members and other personnel seem concerned for the resident’s well-being?

Question 7

Does the facility seem well-kept (clean rooms, hallways, restrooms, and dining areas)?

Question 8

Do the resident’s friends and family members only visit occasionally?

Question 9

Did the resident pass away while living in or shortly after living in a nursing home?

Question 10

Have you brought your concerns to the attention of the resident’s family members, friends, or authorities?

7. Financial Elder Abuse

Elder financial abuse is the illegal, unauthorized, or improper use of an older individual’s resources. This is the most commonly self-reported type of elder abuse.

Nursing home staff, family, or even strangers can all commit elder financial abuse.

Warning signs of elder financial abuse include:

Canceled checks or bank statements sent to someone else
Changes to power of attorney or bank accounts
Eviction notices or unpaid bills
Missing belongings or property
Not understanding their financial situation
Someone showing too much interest in an elder’s finances
Unexplained withdrawals or unusual spending

Recent data shows approximately $28.3 billion lost each year, with some estimates reaching up to $36.5 billion.

How to Report Elder Abuse

Elder abuse can be committed by anyone, including friends, family, care staff, or strangers. Because of this, it’s important to keep a close eye on your loved one and report elder abuse if you think any type of abuse is occurring.

Did You Know

You can report elder abuse using the Eldercare Locator’s elder abuse hotline at 1-800-677-1116, Monday through Friday, 8 AM to 9 PM ET.

If you suspect any of the types of elderly abuse:

Call 911 in an emergency: If you are worried that an older adult is in immediate danger, call the police.
Check in with your loved one: Some seniors may be hesitant or scared to bring up mistreatment, but they may confide in you with gentle prompting.
Take accusations seriously: Too many people fail to believe older adults when they talk about their abuse. Do not take elder abuse accusations lightly — make sure your loved one gets the help they need.
Use available resources: Report abuse or neglect to a local Adult Protective Services (APS) office, a nursing home ombudsman, or the police.

You may also have legal options, especially if the elder abuse occurred in a nursing home or other long-term care facility.

In these cases, an experienced nursing home abuse lawyer may be able to help you seek justice and financial compensation.

Find out if we can connect you right now.

Get Legal Help for Different Types of Elder Abuse

Discovering that someone you love is the victim of abuse can be devastating, especially when they are harmed by someone they trusted.

Although there is no way to reverse the suffering elder abuse causes, compensation from a nursing home abuse lawsuit can help you start the healing process by easing financial burdens.

Nursing home compensation can help with:

Funeral or burial expenses after a wrongful death
Medical bills related to injuries or neglect
Mental health counseling for families
Relocation costs to move a loved one to a safer facility

By taking legal action, you can also hold the abusers accountable and protect others from suffering similar harm.

The Nursing Home Abuse Center partners with lawyers who can help families in all 50 states. They have recovered over $304 million for abuse and neglect and may be able to help you, too.

Call us at (855) 264-6310 right now or get a free case review to start the process.

Types of Elderly Abuse FAQs

What is the most common type of elder abuse?

The most common type of elder abuse is emotional abuse. It includes yelling, threatening, insulting, or isolating an older adult, often by caregivers or nursing home staff.

What is the most frequently reported type of elderly abuse in nursing homes?

Emotional abuse is the most common form of elder mistreatment in nursing homes.

According to recent data, emotional abuse is widespread in care facilities:

40% of nursing home staff admitted to emotionally abusing residents
81% of staff said they had witnessed emotional abuse
Families of residents also report emotional abuse more often than other types

This type of abuse often goes unreported but can cause serious long-term harm.

What are the 7 main categories of abuse of elders?

Elder abuse can take many forms, and each type affects victims in different ways.

The 7 most common types of elder abuse include:

Physical abuse
Neglect
Emotional abuse
Financial abuse
Sexual abuse
Self-neglect
Abandonment

Any of these elder abuse types can be devastating to older people and their families.

What is the definition of elder abuse?

Elder abuse is any intentional act or failure to act that causes harm or serious risk of harm to an older adult.

It can include physical violence, emotional mistreatment, neglect, financial exploitation, or sexual abuse, often by someone in a position of trust.

What are the elements of elder abuse?

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines elder abuse as “an intentional act or failure to act that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult.”

Under this definition, many actions (including physical violence, verbal threats, or a lack of care) could be considered types of elder abuse.

Don’t wait: If you think your loved one has suffered from any type of elder abuse, contact our team. We may be able to help you secure compensation for your family’s suffering.

What are the 7 signs of elder abuse?

Elder abuse can be hard to detect, especially in care facilities. Knowing the signs can help protect your loved one.

Here are 7 common warning signs to look for:

Bruises, cuts, or other unexplained injuries
Confusion about money or legal matters
Fear or anxiety around certain caregivers
Poor hygiene or signs of neglect
Sudden mood swings or withdrawal
Unpaid bills or missing possessions
Weight loss or signs of malnutrition

These signs may point to elder abuse or neglect and should be taken seriously.

What types of evidence would you report for a case of elder abuse?

When reporting elder abuse, you should provide as much evidence as possible.

Evidence in elder abuse cases may include:

Financial records indicating suspicious transactions
Medical records documenting neglect or harm
Photographs capturing injuries or unsafe conditions
Statements from witnesses
Written communications suggesting abuse or neglect

Keeping detailed notes of dates, times, and incidents can also be valuable.

How can types of elder abuse be prevented?

The many types of elder abuse can be prevented in different ways. For example, the CDC recommends checking in with older people, especially if other loved ones do not live nearby.

Further, both the CDC and the World Health Organization (WHO) recommend reporting possible cases of abuse to elder abuse hotlines.

These include your local Adult Protective Services office and long-term care ombudsman offices. Always call 911 for immediate danger.

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