Despite the fact that legislatures in all 50 states have passed forms of elder abuse prevention laws, this is still not enough to completely stop the occurrence of elder abuse. Every year, there are lots of older persons that are being neglected, abused, and exploited by their family members or other people. Most of these people are frail and do not have the energy to defend themselves, and they are dependent upon others.

Elder abuse has been classified into seven types. Physical abuse happens when somebody inflicts physical injury or pain on an elder. Depriving an elder of his basic needs also fall under physical abuse. Sexual abuse is forcing sexual contact on an elder. Verbal and non verbal acts that result in the emotional distress or anguish of an elder constitutes emotional abuse while illegal taking, concealment, or misuse of money, property, or other assets of an elder is classified as material or financial exploitation. Another form of elder abuse is neglect, which is the failure or refusal of family members (or whoever is responsible) to provide the elder with his basic needs such as food, health care, shelter, or protection. Self-neglect, however, is the behavior of an elderly that is threatening to his own health or welfare. The last category of elder abuse is abandonment, which happens when an elder is deserted and left to fend for himself by the person who is supposed to be responsible for his safety.

Any form of elder abuse should immediately be reported to state elder abuse agencies. Elder abuse is a serious problem that needs to be stopped and we must do all we can.