Alison M. Smith
American Law Division
Under federal law, elder abuse is defined as the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of
an older individual. All 50 states and the District of Columbia have enacted some form
of elder abuse prevention law and have state agencies, such as Adult Protective Services
(APS), to help achieve compliance with those laws. Specific provisions vary
considerably from one jurisdiction to another, but all states have set up reporting
systems. This report summarizes the various approaches used pertaining to elder abuse,
including mandatory reporting laws and legal remedies available to victims of elder
The Older Americans Act of 1965, as amended (Public Law 89-73), provides
assistance in the development of new or improved programs to help older persons through
grants to the states for community planning and services and for training, through
research, development or training project grants. Title VII (Allotments for Vulnerable
Elder Rights Protection Activities) was created in the 1992 amendments to the Act to
protect and enhance the basic rights and benefits of vulnerable older people.1 To this end,
the 1992 amendments brought together and strengthened three advocacy programs: (1)
the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program; (2) Programs for the Prevention of Abuse and
Exploitation; and (3) State Legal Assistance Development Programs. In addition, the
amendments contained definitions for abuse, neglect and exploitation as they relate to the2
elderly as well as making allotments to the states to pay for the cost of carrying out
vulnerable elder rights protection activities.3
1 42 U.S.C. § 3058 et seq. See generally, CRS Report RL31336, The Older Americans Act:
Programs, Funding, and 2006 Reauthorization (P.L. 109-365), by Carol O’Shaughnessy and
2 42 U.S.C. § 3002.
3 42 U.S.C. § 3058.
Currently, state laws vary from one jurisdiction to another, in terms of what
constitutes abuse, neglect, or exploitation of the elderly, mandatory reporting laws and the
remedies available for victims. General types of elder abuse include physical abuse;
sexual abuse; emotional abuse; financial exploitation; neglect; abandonment; and self-
neglect. States differ as to their definitions of the aforementioned. However, general
definitions are as follows:
!Physical abuse is generally defined as the use of force that may result in
bodily injury, physical pain or physical impairment.4
!Sexual abuse is generally defined as non-consensual sexual contact of
any kind with an elderly person.5
!Emotional abuse is generally defined as the infliction of anguish, pain or
distress through verbal or non-verbal acts.
!Financial/material exploitation is generally defined as the illegal or
improper use of funds, property or assets of an elderly person.6
!Neglect is generally defined as refusal or failure to fulfill any part of a
person’s obligations or duties to care for an elderly person.7
!Self-neglect is generally defined as behaviors of elderly people which
threaten their health or safety.8 This could include prescription drug
abuse, failure to bathe and groom oneself, or unsanitary meal preparation.
4 See, e.g., ARK. STAT. ANN. § 5-28-101(2) (defining abuse as “intentional and unnecessary”
actions “which inflict pain on or cause injury to an endangered or impaired adult.”) MISS. CODE
ANN. § 43-47-5(a) (willful or nonaccidental infliction of physical pain or injury).
5 State statutes vary as to whether sexual abuse is incorporated within the general abuse definition
or contained as a separate category of abusive behavior. See, e.g., ILL. COMP. STAT. ANN. ch. 23,
para. 6602 § 2(a)(sexual abuse not specifically defined but included in general definition of
abuse); see also ME. REV. STAT. ANN. tit. 22, § 3472.15(C)(15) (providing a separate definition
of sexual abuse or exploitation as “contact or interaction of a sexual nature involving an
incapacitated or dependent adult without that adult’s consent.”).
6 Under federal law, exploitation is defined as an “illegal or improper act or process of an
individual including a caregiver, using the resources of an older individual for monetary or
personal benefit, profit or gain.” 42 U.S.C. § 3002(24). See also, MISS. CODE ANN. § 43-47-5(i)
(defining financial exploitation as the “illegal or improper use of a vulnerable adult or his
resources for another’s profit or advantage with or without the consent of the vulnerable adult.”).
Tennessee defines exploitation more restrictively as a caretaker’s improper use of funds that have
been paid by the government to an adult or his caretaker. TENN. CODE ANN. § 71-6-102(8).
7 Under 42 U.S.C. § 3002(34) neglect is defined as “the failure to provide for oneself the goods
or services that are necessary to avoid physical harm, mental anguish, or mental illness; or the
failure of a caregiver to provide the goods or services.”
8 Some states consider self-neglect as a variety of neglect which may warrant protection and
either designate it as a separate category of neglect or include it within the general definition of
neglect. Compare ALA. CODE § 38-9-2(8)(included under definition of neglect) and FLA. STAT.
ANN. § 415.102(12) (same) and KY. REV. STAT. ANN. § 209.020(7) (same) with MD. FAM. LAW
CODE ANN. § 14-101(p)(containing a separate definition for self-neglect as “the inability of a
vulnerable adult to provide [himself]...with the services: (1) that are necessary for the vulnerable
adult’s physical and mental health; and (2) the absence of which impairs or threatens the
vulnerable adult’s well-being.”).
Mandatory Reporting Laws
Mandatory reporting provisions were the first major laws enacted in response to the
problem of elder abuse and continue today to be the mainstay of most state elder abuse
laws. Most states mandate a wide variety of professionals to report known or suspected
cases of elder abuse.9 The professionals most often statutorily bound to report incidents
of elder abuse are: health care and social services professionals, law enforcement1011
officers, social workers, physicians and nurses. Other states also include clergy,
attorneys,12 dentists,13 chiropractors,14 and ambulance drivers,15 while others mandate
anyone with knowledge or reasonable cause to believe that abuse has occurred to report
the incident.16 In addition to mandatory reporting provisions, statutes often encourage17
voluntary reporting by other individuals.
Mandatory reporters typically are granted immunity from any criminal or civil
liability they might otherwise incur.18 Some states grant absolute immunity, but others
require that the report be made without malicious intent and in good faith to qualify for
9 See, e.g., ME. REV. STAT. ANN. tit. 22, § 3477.
10 See, e.g., ALA. CODE. § 38-9-8(a)(stating that “all physicians and other practitioners of the
healing arts or any caregiver having reasonable cause to believe that any protected person has
been subjected to physical abuse, neglect, exploitation, sexual abuse or emotional abuse shall
report or cause a report to be made...”).
11 Reports of suspected abuse must be made by “every clergyman, practitioner of Christian
Science or religious healer, unless he has acquired the knowledge of abuse, neglect from the
offender during a confession.” NEV. REV. STAT. ANN. § 200.5093(2)(d); See also, ALASKA STAT.
§ 47.24.010(a)(10); S.C. CODE ANN. § 43-35-25(A).
12 See, e.g., NEV. REV. STAT. ANN. § 200.5093(f)(requiring reporting by “every attorney, unless
he has acquired the knowledge of abuse, neglect, exploitation or isolation...from a client who has
been or may be accused of such abuse, neglect, exploitation or isolation.”).
13 See, e.g., GA. CODE ANN. § 30-5-4(a)(1).
14 See, e.g., MONT. CODE ANN. § 52-3-811(3)(b).
15 See, e.g. MONT. CODE ANN. § 52-3-811(3)(c).
16 Notably, most states attach a reasonableness standard to reporting requirements and do not
require actual knowledge of abuse. See, e.g., ARIZ. REV. STAT. ANN. § 46-454(A)(reasonable
basis); FLA. STAT. ANN. § 415.103(1)(a) (has reasonable cause to suspect); MISS. CODE ANN. §
17 See, e.g., ARK. STAT. ANN. § 5-28-203(a)(3); Me. Rev. Stat. Ann. tit. 22 § 3479.
18 See, e.g., MINN. STAT. ANN. § 626.557(5).
complete immunity.19 In some states, mandated reporters actually may be prosecuted or
fined for failure to report when required.20
Confidentiality or anonymity protects reporters and encourages reporting by those
who otherwise might be hesitant for fear of retaliation or discovery by the alleged abuser
or abused. As such, most states restrict the access to elder abuse records in some manner.
Some states stipulate that the report and all information gathered during the subsequent
investigation are not public records.21 Some specifically list individuals who have a right
of access; among these are the victim, certain agencies involved in the investigation such
as local law enforcement and administrative agencies, the court,22 and (in some states)
bona fide and approved researchers.23 Additionally, some states penalize individuals for
unauthorized disclosure of abuse records.24
Legal Actions Against Perpetrators
Conceptually, almost every form of elder mistreatment corresponds to a common law
or statutory crime. Physical abuse, for example, could be assault, battery, or perhaps even
attempted murder; financial exploitation may be theft, larceny, or extortion. Abuse,
neglect, and financial exploitation of older persons have been made specific crimes in
many states and have varying degrees of punishment, including fine and/or imprisonment
depending sometimes on the type of abuse perpetrated and on the identity of the
perpetrator.25 For example some state statutes make serious physical abuse or neglect a
19 See, e.g., MINN. STAT. ANN. § 626.557(6)(stating that “a person who intentionally makes a
false report under the provisions of this section shall be liable in a civil suit for any actual
damages suffered by the reported facility, person, or persons and for any punitive damages up to
$10,000 and attorney fees.”); OKLA. STAT. ANN. tit. 43A, § 10-104(E)(stating that willful or
reckless false reporting leads to liability in civil suit for actual and punitive damages).
20 See, e.g., ARK. STAT. ANN. § 5-28-202(establishing penalties for failure to report abuse).
21 See, e.g. ALASKA STAT. § 47.24.050(a); N.M. STAT. ANN. §27-7-29(A).
22 See, e.g., FLA. STAT. ANN. § 415.107(2)-(4)(limiting release of reporter’s name only to
employees of the responsible APS department, central registry, or state attorney upon written
consent of reporter and if necessary to protect elder; to criminal justice agency investigating the
alleged abuse; to the alleged perpetrator or victim; or pursuant to either a court subpoena or grand
jury subpoena, among others).
23 See, e.g., ARK. STAT. ANN. § 5-28-213(d)(authorizing disclosure of non-identifying information
contained in statewide central registry to bona fide and approved research groups solely for
scientific research); ME. REV. STAT. ANN. tit. 22, § 3474(2)(F)(same).
24 See, e.g., Miss. Code Ann. § 43-47-7(e)(classifying willfully release of any information to
persons or agencies not permitted access as a misdemeanor).
25 See, e.g., TENN. CODE. ANN. § 71-6-117 (stating that “it is unlawful for any person to willfully
abuse, neglect or exploit any adult within the meaning of the provisions of this part. Any person
who willfully abuses, neglects, or exploits a person in violation of the provisions of this part
commits a Class A misdemeanor”).
26 See, e.g., MASS. GEN. LAWS ANN. ch. 265 § 13K(e)(stating that “whoever, being a
caretaker...permits serious bodily injury to such elder or person with a disability or wantonly or
In addition to criminal provisions, states also provide victims of elder abuse civil
remedies. For example, in 1992, California enacted a statute covering abused elders or
dependent adults. The Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act27 begins
with legislative findings: the infirm elderly and dependent adults are a “disadvantaged
class,” and few civil cases are brought in connection with their abuse because of problems
of proof, court delays, and the lack of incentives to prosecute these suits.28 When it is
proven by “clear and convincing” evidence that the defendant has been guilty of
recklessness, oppression, fraud or malice in the commission of abuse of the elderly, new
remedies are created. These include postmortem recovery for pain and suffering, and
mandatory attorney fees and costs.29 The Act allows fees for the services of a conservator
litigating an elder’s claim and continuation of a pending action by the elder’s personal
representative or successor.30
Also, Illinois’ Financial Exploitation of the Elderly and Disabled Act31 creates, in
addition to criminal penalties, treble damages and attorney fees for a civil judgment
deciding property has been converted or stolen from a senior citizen by threat or
deception.32 These enhanced remedies are available regardless of the outcome of the
Moreover, in Maine, a statute allows an elderly, dependent individual who has
transferred property as a result of undue influence to secure a court order forcing return
of the property.34 If real estate, or 10% or more of such an individual’s money or personal
property, was taken for less than fair market value, and a confidential or fiduciary
relationship existed, a presumption is created that the elderly person has been unduly
influenced in making the transfer.35
recklessly permits another to commit an assault and battery upon such elder...shall be punished
by imprisonment in the state prison for not more than ten years or...in the house of correction for
not more than two and one-half years...”). See also, DEL. CODE ANN. Tit. 31, § 3913(c) (stating
that intentional abuse causing bodily harm, permanent disfigurement is a Class D felony); KY.
REV. STAT. ANN. § 209.990 (stating that knowing and willful abuse causing serious physical or
mental injury is Class C felony).
27 CAL. WELF. & INST. CODE § 15600-15657.3.
28 See id. § 15600(g)(h)(i).
29 See id. § 15657.
30 See id. § 15657.3(d).
31 720 ILL. COMP. STAT. ANN. 5/16-1.3.
34 See ME. REV. STAT. ANN., tit. 33, §§ 1021-1024 (including as examples of “confidential or
fiduciary” relationships family, accountants, brokers, individuals providing care and services to
the elderly person).
35 See Me. Rev. Stat. Ann, tit. 33, §§ 1021-1024.
In addition, all states now have domestic violence laws designed to protect abuse
victims. Although restricted in some jurisdictions to spouse or partner abuse cases, in
other states these statutes provide for a judicial “protection order” for all family or
household members threatened with physical harm.36 Under these laws, the court may
order the abuser to (1) refrain from abusing the elder; (2) move away from, and stay out
of, the residence shared with the victim; (3) refrain from contacting the victim; and (4)
provide alternative housing for the victim.37 In addition, some domestic violence statutes
protect “high-risk adults” (e.g., “vulnerable adults”) from neglect and financial
exploitation as well.38
There has been congressional interest regarding elder abuse and fraud, including
telemarketing, mortgage, and pension fraud and identity theft. Bills have been introduced
in past Congresses to establish a grant program to improve the financial and retirement
literacy and reduce financial abuse and fraud of mid-life and older Americans.39 These
grants would be awarded to eligible entities (state agency or area agency on aging, or
501(c)(3) organizations with a proven record of providing services to low-income families
and/or mid-life and older individuals) to enhance and promote knowledge of financial
issues, long-term care, and retirement issues.
36 See, e.g., MASS. GEN. LAWS ANN. ch. 209A, § 6 (stating that “whenever any law officer has
reason to believe that a family or household member has been abused or is in danger of being
abused, the officer shall use all reasonable means to prevent further abuse...”); Mo. Rev. Stat. §§
455.035, 455.045, 455.085 (providing judicial remedies for adults abused by present or former
adult household members).
37 See, e.g., ME. REV. STAT. ANN. tit. 19A § 4007 (making temporary emergency protection
orders available against family or household member; defendant may be ordered to pay plaintiff’s
38 See, e.g., WASH. REV. CODE § 74.34.110(2).
39 H.R. 392, S. 924 and S. 3866, 109th Cong.; S. 386, 108th Cong.; and S. 2982, 107th Cong.