According to the WHO, elder abuse is "a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person." This harm is usually committed by a person known to the victim, such as a spouse, partner, family member, friend, neighbor or those on which the older person relies on for services. In addition to neglect or abandonment, the abuse of elders can be physical, emotional or financial.

In 2018, it was estimated that 10% of the 52 million people in the U.S. over the age of 65 suffer from elder abuse each year. One study showed that two-thirds of these abuse victims were white females whose median age was 78. About 60% of all elderly abuse cases involved neglect, while physical abuse accounted for about 16% of these cases, followed by financial abuse (12%). In roughly two-thirds of these cases, the perpetrator of the abuse was an adult child or a spouse of the victim. More than 40% of all murder victims older than 60 are murdered by their own child or killed by a spouse (24%). Elder abuse often occurs in nursing homes and long term care facilities. As of 2017, 1.2 million seniors required nursing home care, and by 2030 this number is expected to grow to 1.9 million.

Proposed Legislation: Reintroduction of H.R.4969 - To reauthorize funding for programs to prevent, investigate, and prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and for other purposes. (117th Congress 2021-2022)
Prospective Sponsor: Rep. Richard Neal (MA)