Old and Alone: U.S vs Elder Abuse The term elder abuse encompasses intentional acts such as taking money from an elderly person and not caring for them or taking advantage of their assets when they are incapable of communicating for themselves. On the other hand, there is unintentional abuse, which occurs when family members and caregivers lack the time, training, or money to properly care for their loved ones, who wind up neglected as a result. According to the U.S. Department of Justice , elder abuse and financial exploitation are both crimes, but can be difficult to prove in court. The National Adult Protective Services Association's Kathleen Quinn recently told the Senate Special Committee on Aging elder abuse is common, mostly hidden, expensive, and lethal. The prevalence of elder abuse is expected to grow without strong regulations. Strong patient care policies and procedures are essential.
