Elder Abuse

Educational Tools/Resources

• National Council on Aging (NCOA) 
  • The National Council on Aging provides an overview of elder abuse and recognition.
• Elder Abuse Statistics
  • Data on elder abuse, research, and outcomes
• World Health Organization (WHO): Abuse of Older People
  • World health data on elder abuse. A quick review of the elderly population and quick facts.
• National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA)
  • The National Center on Elder Abuse website provides the latest information regarding research, training, best practices, policies, and resources on elder neglect and exploitation to professionals and the public.
• Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS): American Indian Community Elder Abuse
• HealthinAging.org
  • Provides a tip sheet on preventing elder abuse and neglect.
• Training Resources on Elder Abuse
• National Institute on Aging: Elder Abuse
  • Highlights the signs and types of abuse and methods to reduce stress for the perpetrator and the victim
• CDC: About Abuse of Older Persons
  • Describes types of abuse, prevention, and outcomes

Eldercare Locator

• The Eldercare Locator.
  • The Eldercare Locator is a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging to report elder abuse or find services for older adults and their families
  • You can also access the Locator by calling 1-800-677-1116. 

Other Ways to Report

•  Call 911 or local police.
• National Center on Elder Abuse
• National Center for Victims of Crime Helpline
  • Call or text directly at 1-855-4VICTIM (855-484-2846) or Chat online. 
  • Learn about their services, and national and local resources
• National Center for Victims of Crime
  • 1-800-FYI-CALL (1-800-394-2255) or 1-800-211-7996 (TTY). (M-F 8:30 am-8:30 pm ET). Contains information and referrals to appropriate local services for crime victims

Reports/Publications

• Elder Abuse Surveillance: Uniform Definitions and Recommended Data Elements (2016)
  • This document presents uniform definitions and data elements for use in surveillance of elder abuse. 
•  US Preventive Services Task Force Recommendation Statement: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/article-abstract/2708121 (10/30/2018). Statement on the need and importance of screening for Intimate Partner Violence, Elder Abuse, and Abuse of Vulnerable Adults.
• Elder Mistreatment(1999)
  This article in the May 15, 1999 issue of the journal American Family Physician reviews the issues regarding elder abuse, presents findings that suggest a diagnosis, and a systematic approach to patient management.
• CDC Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Reports (MMWRs). Nonfatal Assaults and Homicides Among Adults Aged ≥60 Years – United States, 2002-2016.external iconMMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2019 Apr 5;68(13):297-302. doi: 10.15585/mmwr.mm6813a1.

• Provides a review of elder abuse from 2002 to 2016.

From the National Council on Elder Abuse

• NCEA/NAPSA Fact Sheet: Adult Protective Services, What You Must Know:  Adult Protective Services guide.

         Brief summary of Adult Protective Services (APS), what it does, and whom it serves.

• Elder Justice Policy Highlights, September 2021 - February 2022: Elder Justice Policy Highlights.

         This document reflects activity in 21 states and one district and highlights at the federal level

• Research Translation: Which chronic diseases in older adults increases the risk of elder mistreatment and why. Elder chronic diseases research translation.

         Poor physical health and a high caregiver burden are associated with an increased risk of elder mistreatment. A study on which diseases have a higher correlation with abuse

• Elder Abuse Screening Tools for Healthcare Professionals: NCEA. Elder abuse toolkit for clinicians. Brief screening tools for the clinician.

Links to Other Resources

• National Electronic Injury Surveillance System-All Injury Program (NEISS-AIP): National data on nonfatal injuries surveillance guides.
• APA: https://www.apa.org/pi/prevent-violence/resources/elder-abuse: Most recent data on elder abuse from the American Psychological Association
• Administration on Aging (AOA), U. S. Dept. HHS offers older persons and their caregivers' information and resources on aging-related topics with translation in a variety of languages, and an extensive section dedicated to the information needs of professionals.
• American Bar Association (ABA): Commission on Law and Aging. Offers information to consumers on seniors' legal issues, including the online Law and Aging Resource Guide, a state-by-state listing of legal services and resources
• American Society on Aging (ASA): Offers resources and links to professional education, publications, and resources in the field of aging
• MEDLINEplus: Elder Abuse provides information on elder abuse from the National Library of Medicine)
• National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL)provides a multilingual Web site offering training, technical assistance, and resources on abuse in later life.
• The National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (NCPEA) offers training, technical assistance, and publications for professionals; conducts research; advocates for needed services for vulnerable seniors.
• National Council on Aging (NCOA) advocates for public policies, develops programs, and conducts research in support of seniors; offers publications for professionals and consumers. 
• Nursing Home Abuse Center (NHAC) is a free online resource with information about senior and elder dangers and safety options.           
• Nursing Home Abuse Report provides the most up-to-date statistics and information relating to nursing home abuse.