It is common knowledge that child abuse is not only harmful but illegal. There are laws and government agencies in place to report to if an individual observes a minor being harmed. Some justice groups even monitor online communities for signs of child predation.

Yet, many people do not realize or recall that the law’s protection extends beyond minors and to anyone who satisfies the definition of a “vulnerable population.” Groups including the physically and mentally disabled and our elder citizens (among others) are also entitled to the same protections. In the eyes of the law, anyone who requires care from others or is dependent on others in some capacity is in a higher risk position of being abused, neglected, or otherwise taken advantage of.

Though the protection of the law extends to elders, there is not the same degree of enforcement as, say, what we see for minors. Here are some startling statistics:

1. Many individuals think of abuse as a physical or sexual assault, yet these categories are the lowest reported. Financial fraud and exploitation, caregiver neglect, and psychological abuse are the three most common forms of elder abuse, in order of prevalence.


2. Ten percent of adults aged 65 years or older are expected to experience at least one form of abuse in a given year. Considering our older citizens make up approximately 17.3% of the U.S. population (or 58 million as of 2022), that means about 5.8 million victims per annum.


3. Most elder abuse occurs in the community, as opposed to long-term care facilities like nursing homes.


4. Elder abuse has detrimental consequences, including increased rates of depression and suicide, loss of financial resources, and deterioration in health often leading to higher mortality rates. Studies suggest that elder abuse is often under-reported.

The causes of elder abuse, the disparities in enforcement, and their links to ageism can be saved for another post (Or, even a whole book). What I hope to accomplish today is to describe the steps that anyone can take to report elder abuse and help protect our friends, neighbors, and loved ones.

As a psychologist who works in nursing homes, I am trained and expected to report elder abuse when I observe it. In fact, all medical staff and social services professionals are mandated by law to relay strong suspicions of elder abuse to the proper government agencies. 

Making A Report

If you have suspicions that an elder has been abused in some way, the first step is to gather information about the incident and parties involved. Formal reports typically request the following:

1. Name and contact information of the victim.


2. Name and contact information of the perpetrator.


3. The relationship of the perpetrator to the victim (ex: caregiver, family member, neighbor).


4. When the incident of abuse occurred and whether or not you believe it is ongoing.


5. Where the incident of abuse occurred.


6. Your own relationship to the victim and how you can be contacted for follow-up questions.

Once you have gathered the above information, you can make the report by contacting the state branch of Adult Protective Services (APS). Sometimes APS has its own website within a given state, and other times it can be found within the greater Department of Children and Healthy Families (DCHF) website. Some branches include a hotline number to call and make a report, while others will feature an online form that you can fill out. Depending on how quickly you type or how readily available volunteers are to receive your call, the process can take anywhere from ten to twenty-five minutes.

There are certain things that are worth keeping in mind:

1. You must file your report in the state where the incident occurred. If your loved one experienced abuse in Hawaii yet you now both reside in Alaska, then the report needs to be filed under the Hawaii APS department.


2. If you can, seek clarity. Oftentimes there is a lot of uncertainty as to whether or not abuse is occurring. Speaking to all parties involved can help to dispel confusion and clear the air. Sometimes it can be a misunderstanding, or the perpetrator will be amenable if a negative behavior is explained as harmful. We don’t always have that ability, though.


3. You may not have all of the necessary information. You are still able to file a report with the information that you have. I may not know the perpetrator’s contact information or address, yet I am still able to provide what I do have. Phone volunteers will take down your information regardless and may encourage you to call back if you learn more. Sometimes even partial reports can be used to build larger cases.


4. Adult Protective Services will investigate. If there is enough evidence to suggest abuse, then a representative from APS will contact the victim and perpetrator, oftentimes in person. Sometimes this goes against the victim’s wishes, such as when the perpetrator is a family member or a vital caregiver. APS representatives are trained to assess situations and work to intervene with minimal disruption, yet such an encounter can still lead to resentment and strain between the parties involved.


5. You don’t have to be the one to file a report. As mentioned above, healthcare professionals are mandated to file a report within twenty-four hours of learning about an incident of abuse. If you do not want to file the report yourself or are unsure if a report is necessary, share your concerns with a trusted nurse, social worker, psychologist, or doctor. They will take down the information and make the judgment call.


6. Trust your gut. If you suspect physical, psychological, or sexual abuse, caregiver neglect, or financial exploitation, then it is better to be safe than sorry. We should think of ourselves less as investigators and more as reporters, meaning we leave it up to the proper governmental agencies to determine whether or not abuse is occurring. In many cases, no harm is found, and no punishments are administered. But, in the case that abuse is occurring, you may have stopped harm or even saved a life.