Elder Abuse
Definition
A single or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship of trust that causes harm or distress to an older person. WHO definition covers physical, psychological, financial, sexual, and neglect subtypes.
- Definition source
- WHO definition
- Requires
- A relationship of trust
- Subtypes
- Physical, psychological, financial, sexual, neglect
- Pattern
- Single act or repeated pattern
Common questions
Why does the WHO definition require a relationship of trust?+
Restricting the definition to relationships of trust, such as family members, carers, or institutional staff, distinguishes elder abuse from stranger crime against an older victim; the abuse of trust is central because it explains why the victim is often unable or unwilling to seek help.
What makes financial elder abuse forensically distinct from other subtypes?+
Financial abuse usually leaves a documentary trail, such as changed wills, unusual transfers, or new powers of attorney, so it is investigated through financial and questioned-document examination rather than through the clinical or injury-pattern evidence used for physical or sexual abuse.
Related terms
- Capacity
- The ability of a person to understand information relevant to a decision, retain it, weigh options, and communicate a choice. Capacity is...
- Coercive Control
- A pattern of behaviour in intimate relationships that seeks to deny autonomy and dominate the victim through means including isolation, monitoring, financial...
- Financial Abuse
- The illegal or improper use of an older person's funds, property, or assets. Includes theft, misuse of power of attorney, coercion into...
- FULMER ELDER Instrument
- A validated nursing assessment tool developed by Terry Fulmer to screen systematically for elder abuse across all subtypes. Uses direct observation, history...
- Neglect
- Failure by a caregiver to provide the basic necessities of life (food, fluids, hygiene, medication, medical care) when they have the capacity...