It happens at every stage of life and seniors are among the most vulnerable. Those who rely on others for help with daily activities, who have limited social connections, or who live with physical or cognitive disabilities are especially at risk.

Elder Abuse

Everyone deserves to live free from harm, neglect, and exploitation — at every stage of life. Yet elder abuse remains a serious and often hidden issue, affecting millions of older adults each year. Its impact can be devastating and is often intensified by societal biases — both implicit and explicit — against older adults and people with disabilities.

Types of Elder Abuse:

• Physical abuse: Inflicting pain or injury through hitting, slapping, or other means
• Emotional abuse: Verbal assaults, humiliation, intimidation, or threats
• Financial exploitation: Unauthorized or improper use of an elder’s money, property, or assets
• Neglect: Failing to provide necessary care, including food, shelter, medical treatment, or protection
• Sexual abuse: Any non-consensual sexual contact or interaction

Common Warning Signs:

• Unexplained bruises, injuries, or signs of restraint
• Fearfulness or anxiety around specific individuals
• Abrupt changes in banking habits or legal documents
• Poor hygiene, signs of malnutrition, or untreated medical conditions

Intimate Partner Violence in Later Life

Abuse does not end with age — and love should never cause harm. Whether in a new relationship or after decades of marriage, intimate partner violence (IPV) can occur at any time. IPV can happen in private or in public settings, but it most often remains hidden behind closed doors at home.

Common Signs of IPVILL:

• Feelings of sadness, anxiety, depression, confusion, guilt, shame, or self-blame
• Isolation or withdrawal from friends, family, and previously enjoyed activities
• Fearfulness or visible agitation around a spouse or intimate partner
• Efforts to change personal behavior in hopes of stopping the abuse
• Unexplained bruises, burns, injuries, or fractures
• Noticeable changes in appetite, or unexplained weight loss or gain
• Decline in personal hygiene or self-care
• Lack of access to personal finances, inability to purchase necessities, or failure to pay bills

Older adults face unique challenges when seeking help. Long-standing relationships, financial dependence, health concerns, and the fear of isolation all make leaving an abusive situation particularly complex. Survivors who are too young to qualify for Social Security or Medicare but who have been out of the workforce for years may face poverty, loss of health coverage, or even homelessness if they leave. Additionally, most services for survivors are not tailored to meet the specific needs of older adults, further increasing their vulnerability.

How to help

• Take time to listen without judgment
• Offer support and validate their feelings
• Avoid minimizing the abuse, criticizing their relationship, or dictating what they should do
• Ask how you can help and respect their autonomy
• Gently remind them that support and options are available whenever they are ready

Empathy, patience, and ongoing support can make a powerful difference.

RESOURCES

Everyone Deserves Safety—At Every Age

Abuse in later life is real, harmful, and too often hidden. Older adults, especially those who depend on others for care or live with isolation or disability, face unique barriers when seeking support. Whether the abuse is physical, emotional, financial, sexual, or the result of neglect, it is never justified—and it is never too late to reach out for help.

At VIP, we are committed to recognizing the dignity, strength, and worth of every survivor, regardless of age. If you or someone you care about is experiencing abuse, know that support, safety, and compassion are within reach. Healing is possible—because everyone deserves to grow older without fear.