Protecting Elders Against Abuse

A smiling person with a red hat and a message advocating aging without fear of abuse and neglect.

We all deserve to live joyfully, boldly, abundantly, independently, fearlessly — free from the fear of abuse and neglect.

Part of our role as Area 4's Agency on Aging is to provide a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older adults and to educate each other on how to identify, address and prevent abuse – so we can all do our part to support everyone as we age.

We've compiled a library of resources to help aging adults and the people who love them learn more about elder abuse and, most importantly, how to spot and report it.

Three elderly men sitting together, smiling and enjoying each other's company.

What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is any intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or a trusted person that causes or creates a serious risk of harm to an older adult.

Elderly women with joyful expressions, focus on the woman in the foreground wearing a blue scarf.

Elder Abuse: A Growing Public Health Issue

The more we understand our role in preventing elder abuse, the better we can build a community in which people of all ages are safe and supported. Click here to learn more.

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Report Elder Abuse

Easily find the correct phone numbers for your county's Adult Protective Services agency here.

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Fact Sheet: Prevent Elder Abuse

Download, print, and share our two-page flier about elder abuse, how to spot the signs, and how to report abuse.

Two smiling women embracing, one older and one middle-aged, against a yellow background.

Aprende más: Abuso a Personas Mayores

Descargue, imprima y comparta información sobre el abuso de personas mayores, cómo detectar las señales y cómo denunciar el abuso.

Two men hugging and smiling outdoors with greenery in the background.

Elder Abuse + Culture

Click here for additional education around how culture impacts elder abuse and offer resources for aging adults, their loved ones, and their caregivers that can help break down those barriers to better meet the unique needs of the communities we serve.

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Elder Abuse Resources for Non-English Speakers

Click here a variety of information and resources in Spanish, Chinese, Korean, Farsi, and other languages that you can download, print, and share.

A man holding a phone to his ear while looking at a white card, sitting indoors.

Protect Yourself from Fraud

Scammers take advantage of crises like wildfires and financial uncertainty to target older adults, but fraud happens all year long. From fake…

An elderly woman smiling, with sunlit autumn leaves in the background.

Volunteer to Advocate for Elders Rights

The Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program investigates elder abuse complaints in long-term care facilities and in residential care facilities for the…

A smiling elderly lady wearing a beret in a room with other people.

KCRA Story: "Awareness is The Best Weapon Against Elder Abuse"

Experts agree that the key to combating all types of elder abuse is vigilance. It’s crucial to stay in touch with our elderly loved ones. Learn more...

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