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Aging
Internet Information Notes
Elder Abuse and Neglect
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Abuse and neglect of older adults includes many types of adverse
actions affecting the financial, health and mental health well-being
of individuals living independently in the community and in group
residential settings and institutions. Abuse and neglect of the
elderly may be instigated by family members and friends, by acquaintances
and strangers, by businessmen and professionals, or by staff of
residential settings whose responsibility is to serve and protect
their vulnerability. At present there is no federal law on elder
abuse in the United States. States have laws for reporting, investigating
and prosecuting abuse. The state systems implementing these laws
involve a number of state and local social service, legal and
law enforcement officials and agencies. Funding to support prevention
and investigation comes principally from federal Social Service
Block Grants, Older Americans Act, and state legislature appropriations.
The system for reporting and investigating abuse in nursing homes
(and extension into assisted living facilities) in the United
States is different from reporting and investigating abuse in
the community. Cooperation between systems – the Long Term
Care Ombudsman for nursing homes and Adult Protective Services
for home and community – is necessary particularly since
vulnerable elderly move frequently between long term care, health
care and independent living settings.
Download Note:
See Also:
Center for Communication and Consumer Services
U.S. Administration on Aging
Tel. 202-619-0724
FAX 202-357-3523
Internet: http://www.aoa.gov
Email [aoainfo@aoa.gov]
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Dept. of Health & Human Services
