Elder Abuse

What Is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse refers to harm or mistreatment of an older adult, often by someone they trust. Women are at a much higher risk of elder abuse than men because they’re more likely to live longer and may require a higher level of care.

In fact, over 65% of elder abuse victims are women, according to research from the American College of Obstetricians and Psychologists.

Here’s what to know about elder abuse:

• Common signs of elder abuse: Untreated injuries, chronically dirty clothing or rooms, sudden health complications like sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), unexplained bank transactions
• Types of elder abuse: Physical harm, neglect of essential needs, sexual mistreatment, financial exploitation, emotional or verbal assault
• Who commits elder abuse: Family members, relatives, or providers in long-term care settings like nursing homes
• How to get help: Elder abuse hotlines, Adult Protective Services (APS), and 911 in the event of an emergency

Her Case Matters is ready to support older women harmed by elder abuse in nursing homes or other long-term care settings. If you or someone you love has been injured or mistreated, we’ll stand by you and work to recover compensation for expenses.

Get a free case review now to find out how we can assist your family.

Types of Elder Abuse Affecting Women

There are many types of elder abuse, including physical, emotional, financial, sexual harm, and neglect of basic needs.

While each type is incredibly harmful on its own, older women may experience multiple types of abuse at once, making their overall situation worse.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse involves any use of force that causes pain or injury. Common examples of physical abuse or assault include hitting, pushing, or improper restraint. Broken bones, bruises, and untreated injuries may be warning signs that an older adult is being abused.

In 2026, a nursing home aide in South Carolina slapped a nursing home resident in the face. Other staff promptly reported the aide to law enforcement, leading to her arrest.

Sexual Abuse

Sexual abuse includes any type unwanted sexual contact or exploitation. Older women are six times more likely to suffer some form of sexual mistreatment compared to men, according to the Maryland Coalition Against Sexual Assault.

In 2025, a California woman’s family was horrified to find that she had been sexually assaulted in a nursing home, with the incident caught on camera. The perpetrator was arrested and the woman’s family has filed a lawsuit against the facility.

“Some adults can’t legally consent to sexual activity due to medical conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease or dementia. The laws on consent and capacity vary by state, but the ethical responsibility remains clear: if someone can’t say yes, it’s abuse.”

– Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network

Neglect and Self-Neglect

Neglect occurs when a caregiver fails to provide basic needs such as food, hygiene, or medical care. Elder neglect can lead to significant health complications for anyone affected, including malnutrition, dehydration, a higher risk of infections, and even death.

In late 2025, an older woman was admitted to the hospital weighing just 66 pounds and covered in bruises. An investigation found the woman’s son and his girlfriend had been barely feeding her, so she had to resort to eating out of the trash. The pair had also confined the woman to her room, stole from her, and beat her.

Emotional and Psychological Abuse

Emotional abuse, also called psychological abuse, involves verbal threats, humiliation, intimidation, or isolation. While it may not leave physical marks, it can have profound effects on an older adult’s well-being, leading to depression, anxiety, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).

Older women could experience emotional mistreatment in tandem with other forms of elder abuse, leading to additional stress and health challenges that they need to manage and recover from.

Elder Financial Abuse

Financial abuse involves misuse of money or property. Financial exploitation may include scams, forged signatures, stolen funds, or pressure to change legal documents.

In 2026, police were able to recover an older woman’s life savings four years after she lost them to a cryptocurrency scam. She had been coerced into transferring $350,000 into a digital wallet by someone she had met online.

Worried that you or a loved one suffered from elder abuse? We may be able to support you. Call (877) 640-6101 to connect with us today.

Signs of Elder Abuse in Women

Recognizing the signs of elder abuse can help protect an older person from further harm.

While each particular type of elder abuse has unique signs, staying alert to negative changes in your loved one’s health and working to address or investigate them promptly can go a long way to keeping them safe.

General signs of elder abuse or neglect may include:

• Fear around certain caregivers
• Missing money or unusual financial activity
• Poor hygiene or untreated medical needs
• Sudden changes in behavior or mood
• Unexplained injuries or broken bones
• Withdrawal or depression

Even if you aren’t sure that abuse or neglect are taking place, don’t dismiss what happened. Keep a closer watch on your loved one’s situation if you suspect something is wrong.

Risk Factors for Elder Abuse

Certain conditions increase the risk of elder abuse, particularly among aging women. While these issues are not necessarily guarantees that abuse will occur, families should be aware of them particularly if there are any changes in their loved one’s physical health or behavior.

Common risk factors for abuse of the elderly include:

• Dependence on a caregiver: Roughly 80% of women who suffered physical abuse lived with the perpetrator, which could include caregivers like spouses or adult children, according to the journal Aggression and Violent Behavior.
• Financial dependence: Over 4% of older women were at risk of financial exploitation per Aggression and Violent Behavior. Women who cannot properly manage their own finances due to physical or mental impairments run a higher risk of financial abuse.
• Physical or cognitive impairment: Women with disabilities are at greater risk of physical, sexual, and emotional abuse, per the Office on Women’s Health.
• Social isolation: Older adults who don’t have a strong support network of family and friends checking on them could be at a greater risk of long-term abuse and more severe health issues as a result.
• Substance abuse by a caregiver: Those caring for an older adult are more likely to commit abuse if they currently or previously suffered from substance use issues, as noted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Protective factors, such as regularly visiting an older adult who needs care from another person, can go a long way to proactively addressing elder abuse and preventing long-term complications.

Effects of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse can have serious and lasting effects, leaving seniors emotionally scarred, physically disabled, or worse.

Survivors of elder abuse may experience:

• Increased anxiety or depression
• Loss of income or savings
• Loss of independence
• Onset of new, serious diseases
• Physical injuries
• Worsening medical conditions

“I couldn’t believe what I was seeing, bruises on my mom’s neck and on her chin. She had some bruises on her legs.”
– Gary, son of nursing home abuse victim

In severe cases, elder abuse can lead to hospitalization or death. Addressing abuse early can improve the safety of a loved one and their outcome.

How to Report Elderly Abuse

If you believe an older adult is being harmed, it’s important to step in and file a report. This allows authorities to take a closer look at what’s happening and address any potential abuse to keep your loved one safe.

Ways to report elder abuse include:

• Adult Protective Services (APS): Reports can be made through local or state agencies, often by state-specific elder abuse hotlines.
• Law enforcement: Always call 911 in the event of an emergency.
• Long-term care ombudsman: Ombudsmen are local to each state, can often be found through Adult Protective Services departments, and help resolve complaints in nursing homes and assisted living facilities.
• Nursing home administration: Managers and higher-level employees can assess situations in long-term care facilities.

In addition, local government websites provide guidance on how to report elder abuse depending on the specific state or city that you live in.

You do not need proof to report suspected abuse or neglect. This is about keeping your wife, mother, or grandmother safe. Even if you aren’t sure, it’s a good idea to file a report anyways for peace of mind.

If you’re looking for resources after reporting suspected elder abuse, we may be able to assist you. Get a free case review now.

Resources for Survivors of Elder Abuse

If you or somebody you love has experienced elder abuse, it’s important to know that many resources exist so you can start healing. Many other people have been in your shoes and have founded organizations that will work to support you.

The following organizations can offer support and information:

• Government websites explain elder justice laws and reporting options by state.
• State agencies oversee elder protection programs.
• The National Center on Elder Abuse offers education and reporting guidance through its official website.
• The National Domestic Violence Hotline works to assist survivors of abuse committed by spouses, partners, or family members. Call 800.799.SAFE.

At Her Case Matters, our team is dedicated to assisting women who have been harmed through no fault of their own. Contact us now to find out how we may be able to assist you or a family member.

Filing a Lawsuit With Elderly Abuse Lawyers

An elder abuse lawsuit is something that families may want to consider, particularly if a loved one was hurt or neglected in a long-term care facility that was supposed to take care of them.

While it can seem daunting for some to have to think about their legal options when they just want to heal, many families have found the legal process healing and rewarding.

Elder abuse lawsuits allow you to seek financial restitution from perpetrators. And, when you work with experienced elder abuse attorneys, they’ll handle the majority of the work for you, making it much easier for you to pursue the payouts that you deserve.

Compensation from nursing home and elder abuse lawsuits may help cover:

• Costs related to relocation or long-term care
• Financial losses from abuse or scams
• Medical care and ongoing health care
• Mental health treatment

The vast majority of elder abuse lawsuits reach out-of-court settlements, allowing you and your family to get a payout faster and with less stress. While every case is different, families have sometimes received $1 million or more through elder and nursing home abuse lawsuits.

Time limits apply to elder abuse claims, and these deadlines vary by state. However, top attorneys understand the elder abuse laws in your state and can help you file in time.

Don’t delay — find out if you may be eligible to file an elder care lawsuit with a free case review.

Supporting Women and Families Affected by Elder Abuse

The older women in your life deserve the highest quality care possible during their golden years. When elder abuse occurs, families are often left with questions about what went wrong and how to protect their loved one.

Her Case Matters helps women and families take the next steps after horrific instances of elder mistreatment, allowing them to get closure and start to heal.

We help you understand:

• If elder abuse or neglect may have occurred
  What support options will be best for your family
  Whether legal action may be an option

Get a free case review from our team now to share your concerns and learn what legal options may be available to protect an older adult’s safety and well-being.