Types of Elder Abuse Understanding Types of Elderly Abuse Reviewed by Julie Rivers, MBA, CSA Eldercare Advocate & Certified Senior Advisor Home / Elder Abuse / Types of Elder Abuse Quick Answer Elder abuse occurs when someone intentionally harms or puts an older adult at risk. About 1 in 6 Americans 60 and over experience elder abuse, yet only 1 in 24 cases are reported, according to the National Council on Aging. Get examples of elder abuse, and see if you can access compensation if you or a loved one was harmed. Get a Free Case Review What Is Considered Elder Abuse? The types of elder abuse include any 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 or emotional harm and even death. Take action if you or a loved one has suffered elder abuse or neglect in a nursing home. Get started with a free case review. Get a Free Case Review by Fight back against nursing home abuse and neglect — start now with a free case review. Start My Free Case Reviewor call (855) 264-6310 Key 2026 Statistics on Elder Abuse Types About 1 in 10 people over age 65 experience some form of elder abuse, according to multiple research studies. Long-term care facilities have some of the highest rates of elder abuse and nursing home neglect. Physical assault is one of the most common types of elder abuse in nursing homes. In a study of more than 2,000 residents, 44% said they suffered nursing home abuse. In that same study, 95% said they had been neglected or had seen another resident neglected. Up to 90% of nursing homes may be understaffed, according to one study. Abuse victims are almost 3 times as likely to be hospitalized. Common signs of elder abuse may include injuries, fearfulness, poor hygiene, sudden health decline, unexplained weight loss, or changes in behavior. “Each year, hundreds of thousands of adults over the age of 60 are abused, neglected, or financially exploited.” – National Institute on Aging Understanding the 7 Types of Elder Abuse According to the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), there are 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 improper use of restraints. 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 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. Get a Free Case Review by Fight back against nursing home abuse and neglect — start now with a free case review. Start My Free Case Reviewor call (855) 264-6310 4. Self-Neglect Self-neglect occurs when an older adult can no longer meet their basic daily needs and suffers 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 to let go of their independence or to acknowledge that they may be unable to care for themselves. However, if an older person has caregivers or lives in a nursing home, self-neglect should not occur. In these cases, a caregiver may be guilty of elder neglect. 5. Elder Abandonment Abandonment happens when a caregiver intentionally leaves an older person alone or without needed care. 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 QuizWhile 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? MyselfFamilyFriendOtherNursing Home Abuse Quiz for: Question 1Do your requests for help from staff ever go unanswered for long spans of time?YesNoQuestion 2Is medical care hard to access?YesNoQuestion 3Do nurses, doctors, and other staff treat you badly or without respect?YesNoQuestion 4Have you fallen frequently while living in the nursing home?YesNoQuestion 5Have you ever been screamed at or belittled by a staff member or another resident?YesNoQuestion 6Have you ever been hit, kicked, bit, or otherwise physically harmed by a staff member or another resident?YesNoQuestion 7Have you experienced unwanted touching, groping, or other forms of contact from staff members or visitors?YesNoQuestion 8Have your personal items (contacts, hearing aids, credit cards, checks, etc.) ever gone missing?YesNoQuestion 9Do you have to wait a long time (several days) for staff to help you wash your body, clothes, or bedsheets?YesNoQuestion 10Have you developed serious health problems (infections, bedsores, etc.) while living at the nursing home?YesNoQuestion 1Have you noticed any strange changes in the resident since they moved into a nursing home?YesNoQuestion 2Does the resident have any injuries (cuts, broken bones, bruises, etc.)?YesNoQuestion 3Has the resident complained about the quality of care they’re receiving in the nursing home?YesNoQuestion 4Does the resident appear more sad, angry, or confused than normal?YesNoQuestion 5Has the resident suffered from repeated falls while at the nursing home?YesNoQuestion 6Is the resident’s body, clothing, or bed sheets often dirty?YesNoQuestion 7Has the resident developed any serious health problems (infections, bedsores, etc.) while living at the nursing home?YesNoQuestion 8Have you noticed any signs of sexual abuse (STDs, injuries around genitals, inappropriate relationships with other residents or staff)?YesNoQuestion 9Have you noticed other residents or staff getting angry or yelling?YesNoQuestion 10Did the resident pass away while living in or shortly after living in a nursing home?YesNoQuestion 1Does anything seem strange when you visit the facility (unfriendly staff/residents, dirty beds or rooms, etc.)?YesNoQuestion 2Has the resident complained about the quality of care they’re receiving in the nursing home? YesNoQuestion 3Has the resident’s mood recently changed for the worse (new onset of fear, depression, and/or anxiety)?YesNoQuestion 4Does the resident have any injuries (cuts, broken bones, bruises, etc.) or appear unclean (dirty hair/clothes/skin)?YesNoQuestion 5Has the resident suffered from repeated falls while at the facility?YesNoQuestion 6Have you noticed any signs of sexual abuse (STDs, injuries around genitals, and/or inappropriate relationships with other residents or staff)?YesNoQuestion 7Has the resident developed any serious health problems (infections, bedsores, etc.) while living at the nursing home?YesNoQuestion 8Do the resident’s family members only visit on rare occasions?YesNoQuestion 9Did the resident pass away while living in or shortly after living in a nursing home?YesNoQuestion 10Have you brought your concerns to the attention of the resident’s family members, friends, or authorities?YesNoQuestion 1Does anything seem strange when you visit the facility (unfriendly staff/other residents, unkempt bedding or rooms, etc.)?YesNoQuestion 2Does the resident appear withdrawn, agitated, or confused?YesNoQuestion 3Does the resident have any injuries (cuts, broken bones, bruises, etc.) or appear unclean (dirty hair/clothes/skin)?YesNoQuestion 4Does the resident have a serious health problem (bedsore, infection, untreated injury, etc.) that doesn’t seem to be getting addressed?YesNoQuestion 5Has the resident suffered from repeated falls while at the facility?YesNoQuestion 6Do staff members and other personnel seem concerned for the resident’s well-being?YesNoQuestion 7Does the facility seem well-kept (clean rooms, hallways, restrooms, and dining areas)?YesNoQuestion 8Do the resident’s friends and family members only visit occasionally?YesNoQuestion 9Did the resident pass away while living in or shortly after living in a nursing home?YesNoQuestion 10Have you brought your concerns to the attention of the resident’s family members, friends, or authorities?YesNo1/< PreviousSkip >ResultsFrom your answers, we’ve noted possible signs of nursing home abuse or neglect.This quiz is meant to help you better understand possible signs of abuse to keep you and your loved one safe. If you are concerned that nursing home abuse or neglect is taking place, contact our team right now. We can assess your case and recommend next steps. Chat with us or call (855) 264-6310. We can connect you with top nursing home abuse law firms. Start My Free Case Review*This result does not guarantee that you or your loved one has suffered from nursing home abuse. Call 911 if your loved one is in immediate danger.Take Quiz Again 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 their 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 Older adults lose an estimated $27 billion each year to financial abuse, including stolen money, property, or assets, according to the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation (FDIC). 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 KnowYou 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 might 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 a Free Case Review by Fight back against nursing home abuse and neglect — start now with a free case review. Start My Free Case Reviewor call (855) 264-6310 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 have been 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. “If you file a nursing home lawsuit or report suspected neglect, the facility is legally prohibited from punishing or isolating your loved one in response.” – Ricky LeBlanc, Nursing Home Attorney at Sokolove Law 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 $327 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 Elder Abuse FAQsWhat is considered elderly 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 forms of elder abuse?Elder abuse can take many forms, and each type affects victims in different ways. The 7 types of 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 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 are the most frequently reported types of elderly abuse in nursing homes?Emotional abuse is the most common form of elder mistreatment in nursing homes. Emotional elder abuse examples include purposefully embarrassing or intimidating an older adult. 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 report emotional abuse more often than other types of abuse This type of elder abuse often goes unreported but can cause serious long-term harm. 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. Nursing Home Abuse Support TeamLast modified: June 11, 2026Reviewed by:Julie Rivers, MBA, CSAEldercare Advocate & Certified Senior AdvisorFact-CheckedEditorJulie Rivers is an eldercare advocate with over 25 years of experience focused on nursing home resident safety. She began as a case manager at a nursing home law firm, working with families in crisis. She is a Certified Senior Advisor and also cared for her mother through Alzheimer’s. Her business training deepens her understanding of how for-profit facilities operate. Written by:The Nursing Home Abuse Center TeamThe Nursing Home Abuse Center (NHAC) was founded to bring justice to those affected by nursing home and elder abuse. Our mission is to educate and empower victims of abuse and their families to take a stand against this unlawful mistreatment. We work to return dignity back to those who have been broken down by nursing home abuse and neglect. View Sources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). About abuse of older persons. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/elder-abuse/about/index.html. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2024). Risk and protective factors. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/elder-abuse/risk-factors/index.html. Cleveland Clinic. (2023). Elder abuse. Retrieved from https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/15583-elder-abuse. Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation. (2025). Scams targeting older adults. Retrieved from https://www.fdic.gov/consumer-resource-center/2025-07/scams-targeting-older-adults. National Center on Elder Abuse. (n.d.). Identify abuse. Retrieved from https://ncea.usc.edu/identify-abuse/. National Council on Aging. (2024). Get the facts on elder abuse. Retrieved from https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-elder-abuse/. National Institute on Aging. (2023). Elder abuse. Retrieved from https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/elder-abuse/elder-abuse. Patel, K., et al. (2021). Elder abuse: A comprehensive overview and physician-associated challenges. Retrieved from https://doi.org/10.7759/cureus.14375. U.S. Department of Justice. (n.d.). About elder abuse. Retrieved from https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice/about-elder-abuse. World Health Organization. (2024). Abuse of older people. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/abuse-of-older-people.