Over the past decade, the number of older adults in the U.S. has grown by over a third (34.2% or 13,787,044) (U.S. Census Bureau, 2020). Between 2020 and 2060, the number of older adults is projected to increase by 69 percent, from 56.0 million to 94.7 million (Mather & Kilduff, 2020). As the population of older individuals increased, so too have reports of elder abuse, including psychological, physical, sexual and financial abuse and neglect. Current research shows that at least one in ten older adults experienced elder abuse in the past year (Acierno et al., 2010). Yet, much of this abuse failed to reach the attention of social service agencies or authorities, as only a fraction of cases are ever reported. Elder abuse can result in immediate psychological, physical, and financial harms as well as deleterious effects on quality of life. Despite the damaging consequences of elder abuse, there is little research insight into what works to prevent elder abuse from occurring, or to intervene to mitigate harms and prevent further incidents of abuse. This report by the Center for Victim Research summarizes existing evidence from research and practice and identifies how the field can grow to improve our nation’s response to elder abuse.
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