PM 01-05-03-a: Elder Abuse and Neglect Defined

Elder abuse or neglect refers to the mistreatment of a person 60 years of age or older who lives in the community. Abuse or neglect can be any of the following:

Abuse - physical, sexual, or emotional mistreatment and/or willful confinement.

Neglect - the failure of a caregiver to provide the older person with the necessities of life, including but not limited to food, clothing, shelter, and medical care.

Financial exploitation - the misuse or withholding of the older person's resources by another to the disadvantage of the older person and/or the profit of another.

Self-neglect - the inability to perform essential self-care tasks so that the older person's own health is substantially threatened.