What is elder abuse?

• A. Abuse, neglect, or exploitation of older individuals by caregivers where there is an expectation of trust
• B. Abuse only physical
• C. Abuse only financial
• D. Abuse by peers

Answer: (A)

Elder abuse is harm or exploitation of an older person by someone who has a caregiving or trusted relationship with them. It includes not just physical harm, but also neglect, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, and financial exploitation, especially when the elder depends on the other person for care and support. This option is the best because it captures the range of harms (abuse, neglect, exploitation) and the trusted-caregiving relationship that so often underpins elder mistreatment. The other choices are too narrow—physical harm alone misses neglect and financial or emotional abuse; financial abuse alone misses other forms; and abuse by peers doesn’t acknowledge the caregiving or trust-based dynamic central to elder abuse.