Elder Abuse During COVID-19
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General Information
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted all of our lives, keeping people from their loved ones and highlighting healthcare disparities. Not only do older adults in our community face an increased mortality risk from COVID-19, they are sometimes given lower priority in receiving treatment after contracting COVID-19. Moreover, older adults may be particularly affected by measures taken to reduce the spread of the virus such as isolation orders. Physical distancing orders make it difficult for caregivers, friends, and family members to identify signs of abuse as caretakers are forced to spend less time with older individuals. Social isolation also increases risks of mental health concerns. Moreover, the uncertainty and novel changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic means that individuals are at a heightened risk for financial scams.
The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) identifies six types of elder abuse (source):
Physical abuse
Sexual abuse
Emotional or psychological abuse
Neglect
Financial abuse
Self-neglect
COVID-19 specific resources: an NCEA PowerPoint targeted towards the general population about heightened risks for abuse during the pandemic and a page from Adult Protection Services Technical Assistance Resource Center which contains tips for Adult Protection Service providers.
+ Direct Support
National Center of Elder Abuse
- 1-855-500-3537 (1-855-500-ELDR) (Se habla Español)
- 8:30 am–5 pm (PT), Monday–Friday
- Email ncea-info@aoa.hhs.gov
- Resources by state
Elder Protection Center has a list of elder abuse hotlines by state
To connect to a local or state reporting number, contact Elder locator
- Call toll-free at 1-800-677-1116
- 9:00 am–8:00 pm (ET), Monday–Friday, (except U.S. federal holidays)
- Start an online chat
- Email eldercarelocator@n4a.org
Contact the National Elder Fraud Hotline if you or someone you know has experienced elder fraud
- 1 (833)-732-8311 (English/Español/Other languages available)
- 6:00 a.m.–11:00 p.m. (ET), Daily
National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA): Find resources in your state
+ Identifying Abuse
- Department of Justice pages detail various types of elderly abuse (CW: explicit testimony)
- Center on Elder Abuse page for identifying elder abuse in a loved one
- Arag Legal guide for identifying elder abuse in individuals you may not know
- University of Michigan paper on identifying elder abuse as a medical professional
- Nursing home abuse center information about specific types of elder abuse
- National Institute on Ageing signs of abuse and who can help
+ Resources for Allies
- Seniors Rights page on what to do if you suspect abuse (Australian resource)
- Helpline information about reporting abuse
- National Center of Elder Abuse PowerPoint on preventing elder abuse in the time of coronavirus
- National Center on Elder Abuse flyer 12 things anyone can do to prevent elder abuse
- USC tools for elder abuse prevention
- Montana government official page for allies
+ Resources for Adult Protection Services
Adult Protection Services Technical Assistance Resource Center tips for APS providers during COVID-19