Elder Abuse
Older adults are often targets of crimes like robbery, burglary, financial abuse, neglect, and fraud. This is because they are more trusting, less likely to fight back, and may have memory problems or health issues.
Many older adults are abused by people they know, such as a caregiver, family member, spouse or intimate partner, friend, or neighbor. When the person harming you is someone you know, it can be difficult to see that behavior as abusive. It is even harder to identify that behavior as a crime.
Please know that elder abuse is a crime, and help is available. If you or someone you know is a victim of elder abuse, you can call the police or the Human Services Call Center at 1-844-697-3505, or your local Adult Protective Services.
What is Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse is harming or mistreating an adult who is 60 years or older. Elder abuse includes:
- Physical abuse
- Sexual abuse or abusive sexual contact
- Emotional abuse
- Neglect
- Financial exploitation
You can find information about these forms of elder abuse on the National Institute on Aging website.
What are some of the signs of Elder Abuse?
Here are some of the signs that you or someone you know may be a victim of elder abuse:
- Signs of physical harm: Bruises, welts, fractures, broken bones, rope burns, or signs of hair pulling.
- Signs you don’t have enough to eat or drink: Weight loss or dry skin, poor color, sunken eyes/cheeks.
- Bedsores
- Wearing dirty or unclean clothing and bedding.
- Health problems that cannot be explained.
- Excessive fear.
- Problems with sleep: Sleeping too much or too little.
- Signs that medication isn’t being given correctly: Drowsiness, not being alert or aware of surroundings, or confusion.
- Worry or fear to talk openly.
- Home is disorderly, fridge is empty.
- Unpaid bills, disconnected utilities.
- Depression.
- Sudden change to power of attorney or other legal documents.
For more information about the signs of Elder Abuse, please visit the New York Office of Children and Family Services website.
Where can I find help?
If you or someone you know is being harmed, you can contact New York State Adult Services at 1-844-697-3505. They can help investigate the case and offer services to protect the adult from harm.
Services include:
- Counseling for you and your family
- Arranging your medical and mental health assessments
- Applying for public benefits
- Helping you with law enforcement and other agencies
- Finding living arrangements
- Managing your finances
- Limited housekeeping services
- Crisis interventions, such as orders of protection
- Long-term legal help, such as guardianship (being legally responsible for the care of the elder adult).
If you suspect that you or a loved one may be a victim of elder abuse, please visit the National Center On Elder Abuse for more information and resources.
Updated 8/27/24