Elder abuse (also called "elder mistreatment", "senior abuse", "abuse in later life", "abuse of older adults", "abuse of older women", and "abuse of older men") is "a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person." This definition has been adopted by of the World Health Organization (WHO) from a definition put forward by Hourglass (formerly Action on Elder Abuse) in the UK. Laws protecting the elderly from abuse are similar to and related to laws protecting dependent adults from abuse. It includes harms by people, the older person knows, or has a relationship with, such as a spouse, partner, or family member; a friend or neighbor; or people that the older person relies on for services. Many forms of elder abuse are recognized as types of domestic violence or family violence since they are committed by family members. Paid caregivers have also been known to prey on their elderly patients. While a variety of circumstances are considered elder abuse, it does not include general criminal activities against older persons, such as home break-ins, "muggings" in the street, or "distraction burglary," where a stranger distracts an older person at the doorstep while another person enters the property to steal. The abuse of elders by caregivers is a worldwide issue. In 2002, WHO brought international attention to the issue of elder abuse.
Risk factors for elder abuse
Various risk factors increase the likelihood that an elderly person will become a victim of elder abuse, including an elderly person who:
Has memory problems (such as dementia)
Has a mental illness, either long-standing or recent
Has physical disabilities
Has depression, loneliness, or lack of social support
Abuses alcohol or other substances
Takes prescribed medications that impair judgment
Is verbally or physically combative with the caregiver
Has a shared living situation
Has a criminal historySeveral other risk factors increase the likelihood that a caregiver will participate in elder abuse, including a caregiver who:
Feels overwhelmed or resentful
Has a history of substance abuse or a history of abusing others
Is dependent on the older person for housing, finances, or other needs
Has mental health problems
Is unemployed
Has a criminal history
Has a shared living situationIn addition:

Lower income or poverty has been found to be associated with elder abuse. Low economic resources have been conceptualized as a contextual or situational stressor contributing to elder abuse. Living with a large number of household members other than a spouse is associated with an increased risk of abuse, especially financial abuse.Risk factors can also be categorized into individual, relationship, community, and sociocultural levels. At the individual level, elders who have poor physical and mental health are at higher risk. At the relationship level, a shared living situation is a huge risk factor for the elderly, and living in the same area as the abuser is more likely to result in abuse. At the community level, caregivers may knowingly or inadvertently cause social isolation of the elderly.