What signals elder abuse and how can it be prevented?

APA's Committee on Aging has updated its free resource on elder abuse. Geared toward psychologists as well as the general public, Elder Abuse and Neglect: In Search of Solutions offers the latest research and insights on elder abuse, which is estimated to affect 4 million older Americans every year. Elder abuse is defined as the infliction of physical, emotional/psychological, sexual or financial harm on an older adult. Such abuse can also take the form of intentional or unintentional neglect of an older adult by a caregiver.

The new APA resource covers such topics as cues that might signal elder abuse, including unexplained injuries and uncharacteristic changes in behavior, why elder abuse may occur, how it might be prevented and where to go for help.