Elder abuse (also senior abuse) is a single or repeated act of abuse towards an elderly person. It can also be when a lack of good care causes harm or distress to an older person. It can be physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse or verbal abuse.[1]
Elder abuse happens when there is an "expectation of trust" by the older person toward their abuser.[2] Usually the abuser is someone the older person knows or with whom they have a relationship. This could be a spouse, partner or family member, a friend or neighbor. It could be a caregiver that the older person depends on for services. Many forms of elder abuse are recognized as types of domestic violence or family violence.