'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'.

What happens and who is involved?

People can be abused in different ways. These include:

	Physical abuse
	Psychological abuse
	Financial abuse

	Sexual abuse
	Neglect

Abuse can occur anywhere:

	someone’s own home
	a carer’s home
	day care

	residential care
	a nursing home
	hospital

Both older men and women can be at risk of being abused. The abuser is usually well known to the person being abused. They may be:

	a partner, child or relative
	a friend or neighbour
	a paid or volunteer care worker

	a health or social worker, or other professional
	older people may also be abused by a person they care for

Often, the people who abuse older people are exploiting a special relationship. They are in a position of trust, whether through family bonds, friendship or through a paid caring role, and they exploit that trust. Very rarely is the abuser someone who provides a family caring role.

Call our helpline UK: 0808 808 8141 ROI: 1800 940 010

What is Elder Abuse?

What happens and who is involved?

Call our helpline UK: 0808 808 8141
ROI: 1800 940 010