Elderly Man: What is Elder Abuse 

New Jersey Resources

Each year hundreds of thousands of older persons are abused, neglected, and exploited by family members and others. Many victims are people who are older, frail, and vulnerable and cannot help themselves and depend on others to meet their most basic needs.

Legislatures in all 50 states have passed some form of elder abuse prevention laws. Laws and definitions of terms vary considerably from one state to another, but all states have set up reporting systems. Generally, adult protective services (APS) agencies receive and investigate reports of suspected elder abuse.

The 2004 Survey of State Adult Protective Services, funded by AoA, found the following:

  • A 19.7 percent increase from 2000 – 2004 in the combined total of reports of elder and vulnerable adult abuse and neglect;
  • A 15.6 percent increase from 2000 – 2004 in substantiated cases;
  • In 20 of the states, more than two in five victims (42.8%) were age 80 or older;
  • Most alleged perpetrators in 2003 were adult children (32.6%) or other family members (21.5%), and spouses/intimate partners accounted for 11.3% of the total (11 states responding).

State Government Agencies

Help Lines and Hotlines

Laws and Regulations

 

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It is our goal to provide the most up-to-date information regarding identifying and reporting elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. If you would like to be referred to an attorney for assistance please complete this form.
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