Elder Maltreatment Statistics

Finding the right caregiver for your elderly family member is a tough decision. While you may do everything in your power to select an attentive, knowledgeable, and kind person, sometimes you may, unfortunately, come to find they are abusive. 

Elder abuse is unforgivable and appalling because it ruins what should be the golden years of someone’s life. In these remaining days, senior citizens should be afforded the opportunity to enjoy comfort and happiness. 

At Hodes Milman, we have successfully secured multi-million-dollar settlements for victims of elder abuse and have also held wrongdoers accountable for the elder abuse they inflicted, preventing them from hurting other vulnerable senior citizens. 

Continue reading to learn more about the latest elder maltreatment statistics, so you have the knowledge to support initiatives to promote the well-being and safety of our elderly loved ones. If your loved one suffered elder abuse, contact Hodes Milman online or call (949) 640-8222 to discuss how we can give them a voice.

Elder Abuse Statistics 2024

Transitioning from independence to requiring care or assistance is often emotionally difficult for senior citizens, marked by frustration over a loss of autonomy. Elder abuse worsens these uncertainties by betraying trust and heightening feelings of helplessness among older people. 

Elder abuse can take place in various settings and may be instigated by caregivers, staff, or even family members. As we examine recent data, it becomes apparent how widespread this problem is. A few concerning statistics highlighting the dark reality of elder abuse include: 

• 90% of elder abuse cases occur in the victim’s residential home. 
• In the past 20 years, the rate of nonfatal assaults involving seniors has risen over 75 percent for men and over 35 percent for women.
• Nearly 5% of all seniors suffer psychological abuse in any given year. 
• Rates of elder abuse have increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. 
• Elderly Americans lose nearly $36.5 billion every year because of financial abuse. 

How Many Elders Are Abused Each Year?

A shocking 141 million elderly people endure abuse in community settings worldwide, including those who choose home care or live in retirement communities. This number represents a staggering one-sixth of the world’s seniors. 

As countries across the globe are dealing with rapidly aging populations, incidents of elder abuse are expected to increase dramatically. By 2050, the global population of individuals aged 60 years or older is projected to exceed 2 billion, more than doubling from 900 million in 2015. 

The World Health Organization estimates that by 2050, 320 million seniors will suffer from elder abuse. 

Senior citizens deserve peace and tranquility in their remaining years. We are sickened by the number of elder abuse cases because even one incident is too many.

At Hodes Milman, we have made it our mission to support older people who endured elder abuse, to not only get them the compensation to restore safety and dignity to their lives but also to raise awareness of this growing issue and put a stop to the crisis of elder abuse in our country. Contact us online or call (949) 640-8222 to talk about your options in filing an elder abuse claim.

How Many Cases Of Elder Abuse Are Reported?

Unfortunately, elder abuse remains significantly underreported. Seniors may worry about being alone, losing what independence they have left, or getting hurt if they try to seek help. Also, older adults may fear that reporting the abuse could make things worse if the caregiver retaliates. 

Below are a few statistics that shed light on reporting elder abuse: 

• Only 1 in 24 cases of elder abuse is reported to the authorities. 
• 1 in 12 cases of psychological elder abuse goes unreported. 
• Approximately 10,000 reports of elder abuse in nursing homes are documented annually. 
• Since 2000, roughly 16,000 reports of elder sexual abuse in nursing homes have been filed. 

Sadly, since elder abuse is grossly underreported, many perpetrators are not brought to justice. Below is a chart breaking down the reporting ratios for elder abuse: 

What Is The Most Common Form of Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is defined as “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.” It is typically broken down into five categories: 

• Physical abuse: Inflicting pain or injury through actions like hitting, shoving, or restraining.
• Financial abuse: Involves scams, fraud, withholding funds, or misusing resources for personal gain through intimidation or deceit.
• Sexual abuse: Involves sexual assault of an elder.
• Psychological abuse: Emotional, verbal, or mental abuse of a senior.
• Neglect: Failure or refusal to provide proper care, resulting in injury or illness.

Elder abuse can take many forms. However, certain types are more prevalent than others in specific settings, as shown in the chart below.

As you can see in the elder maltreatment statistics above provided by the National Ombudsman Reporting System, physical abuse is the most common form of elder abuse in community settings, followed by neglect.

Yet, this figure differs from elder abuse in home-care settings. In a study assessing reports to the National Center on Elder Abuse’s resource hotline, it was found that family members are often the perpetrators of elderly abuse.

Who Are Most Likely to Suffer Elder Abuse?

Some senior citizens are more likely to experience elder abuse than their peers. Overall, elderly individuals at the highest risk of abuse are typically nonwhite women with cognitive impairments, struggling in daily activities, and who belong to a lower socioeconomic status. 

Older people most prone to elder abuse include: 

• Women
• 80 years of age or older
• Suffering from dementia
• In poor physical health
• Socially isolated
• Being taken care of by someone with a mental illness or a substance abuse problem

Elder Abuse Statistics 2024: Revealing the Impact on Seniors

These statistics paint a disturbing portrait of the state of care for senior citizens in our nation. 

Elder abuse can have devastating effects on seniors, both physically and emotionally. Physical abuse is especially serious as their bodies heal more slowly with age. Seniors who suffer abuse may develop permanent disabilities, increased bone and joint problems, heart problems, and more. 

They may also grapple with psychological distress from the trauma, such as anxiety, depression, or post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). 

Elders who have been abused have a 300% higher risk of death compared to those who were not mistreated. 

Hodes Milman Does Not Tolerate Elder Abuse

As a country, it is up to all of us to watch out for and take care of our seniors. We must remember that we all hope to be treated with respect and dignity when we finally reach that age. 

For over 30 years, Hodes Milman has fought to make our nation a better place for our seniors by representing those who have suffered abuse. If you or your loved one was a victim of elder abuse, join us in paving the way to reform and protect future seniors from abuse by contacting us online or by calling (949) 640-8222.