On October 5, 1998, the National Elder Abuse Incidence Study reported that over one-half million older adults were abused or experienced self neglect in domestic settings during 1996. This number has increased 150% in the last ten years and does not reflect the numbers of adults living in residential care facilities. Domestic elder abuse refers to maltreatment of an older person residing in his/her own home or the home of a caregiver. Self neglect is when the conduct of an older person living alone threatens their own health and safety.

The four common types of elder abuse are:

  • Physical abuse- the infliction of pain or injury by slapping, restraining, sexually molesting or bruising.
  • Psychological abuse- the infliction of mental anguish by humiliation, intimidation or threats.
  • Financial abuse- the illegal or improper use of financial resources without consent and for another's benefit.
  • Neglect- failure to fulfill caretaking obligations by abandonment or denial of food and services.

Other findings that were reported are:

  • Female elders are abused more than males, even after accounting for their higher numbers in the population.
  • Adults over 80 are abused three times higher than their proportion of the senior population.
  • In 90% of incidents with a known perpetrator, that person is a family member and 2/3 are adult children or spouses.
  • Victims of self neglect are usually depressed, confused or extremely frail.

The Federal Administration on Aging (AoA) administers the Older Americans Act, which supports the nation-wide network of senior service providers. In most states, Adult Protective Services is the agency responsible for monitoring and handling claims of elder abuse. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) is supported by the AoA and is a resource for all agencies for information on elder abuse.

Preventative Activities include:

  • Professional Training- workshops for Adult Protective Service staff, law enforcement, and service providers on elder abuse.
  • Service Providers- coordination between service providers for information referrals and hotlines.
  • Technical Assistance- policies and procedures manuals.
  • Public Education- Communications through the media to the public and curriculum in elementary and secondary education.


There are actions to take for anybody noticing any of these indicators in senior citizens. Adult Protective Services is a Riverside County Agency empowered to handle all forms of elder abuse, they can be reached 24 hours a day at (800) 491-7123. The Riverside County Office On Aging has a Senior Help-Link number at (800) 510-2020 with referrals and information on senior services. The C.A.R.E. (Curtailing Abuses Related to the Elderly) Program combats elder abuse by working with law enforcement, public safety, and human services organizations. C.A.R.E. can be contacted through Senior Help-Link. The Mizell Senior Center has an information referral system for business services, senior services, and public agencies, the number is (760) 323-5689. Or a person can call the local police or sheriff's department.


December 1998