Prevalence and Statistics

Elder abuse is a preventable social problem that is impacting many of New York State’s most vulnerable individuals.

 

Elder Abuse Reporting in New York State

For every case of elder abuse that is reported, another 23 are never reported to authorities who can help.
 

Financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse, yet still tremendously underreported.

For every case of financial exploitation that is reported, another 43 are never reported to authorities who can help.

The statewide impact of financial exploitation has been estimated to range from $352 million to $1.5 billion annually.

National Statistics on Elder Abuse

 

Studies have found that at least one in ten community-dwelling older adults experienced some form of abuse in the past year.

A more recent study (2017) found that one in six older adults, or 15.7%, living in the community experienced some form of abuse in the past year.

A National Mistreatment Study (2009), relying on self-reports of abuse, found the following percentages by type of abuse:

Psychological: 11.6% Physical: 2.6% Financial: 6.8% Neglect: 4.2% Sexual: 0.9%

The national impact of financial exploitation has been estimated to range from $2.6 billion to $36.5 billion annually.