Learn More About Elder Abuse
Information, websites, and other helpful resources for law enforcement.
What Officers Need to Know
Information law enforcement needs to know to respond effectively to elder abuse and financial exploitation, including alternative charges, legal issues, guides, and training materials.
Legal Issues Related to Elder Abuse: A Pocket Guide for Law Enforcement (2014)
A comprehensive guide for law enforcement responding to elder abuse, including a list of alternative charges and explanations for aspects of elder abuse such as powers of attorney and other legal terms law enforcement needs to know.
Guardianship: Remedy vs. Enabler of Elder Abuse
Issue Brief: Anatomy of a Guardianship: Case Study and Red Flags for Abuse (2023)
What if Your Guardian is Not Doing What They Should?
Decision-Making Options That Are Less Restrictive Than Guardianship
Safe Return: Alzheimer’s Disease Guide for Law Enforcement
(Alzheimer’s Association)
A Booming Problem: Alzheimer’s, Dementia, and Elder Abuse
(COPS Office)
Approaching Alzheimer's: First Responder Training Program
(Alzheimer’s Association)
Communicating with Someone with Dementia
(Alzheimer’s Association)
HIPAA and Law Enforcement
(Oregon Association of Hospitals and Health Systems)
Guidelines for Releasing Patient Information to Law Enforcement
(American Hospital Association)
New York State Elder Abuse Prevention Training Manual 2011 (Lifespan)
This manual is designed to serve as an introductory guide to help raise awareness among all professional groups who come in contact with older adults in the community.
Responding to the Needs of the Elderly: Law Enforcement Field Guide & Resource Manual on Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Financial Exploitation 2006 (New Hampshire Department of Justice)
A manual intended to assist patrol officers, investigators, and those who work with elderly victims of abuse and exploitation throughout New Hampshire as they strive to meet the growing demand of an aging society.
Physical and Emotional Abuse of the Elderly Problem-Oriented Guide for Police (2010)
A 64-page guide for law enforcement on responding to physical and emotional abuse of the elderly.
Teaming Up to Fight Financial Abuse of Older Adults 2017 (COPS Community Policing Dispatch)
Article describing how multidisciplinary teams can assist law enforcement in elder abuse/financial exploitation cases.
Memorandum on Financial Institution and Law Enforcement Efforts to Combat Elder Financial Exploitation
One resource that may aid law enforcement investigations of elder financial exploitation, even at the local level, is Suspicious Activity Reports (SARs) that financial institutions file with FinCEN. Learn how SARs can assist law enforcement investigations.
Websites and Resources
Find more information and resources for law enforcement on elder abuse and financial exploitation.
EJI Law Enforcement Webpage
Designed for law enforcement, this webpage provides information and training to more effectively respond to crimes against older adults.
Rural and Tribal Elder Justice Resource Guide
This guide presents resources for professionals, including law enforcement (pp. 22-23), as well as resources for community outreach (pp. 30-38).
Read Elder Abuse Stories
The Elder Justice Initiative has compiled a list of elder abuse stories that demonstrate how various forms of elder abuse can manifest.
The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit (Office for Victims of Crime)
The Vicarious Trauma Toolkit includes tools and resources tailored specifically for professionals who respond to victims designed to mitigate the potentially negative effects of trauma exposure.
NCEA (National Center on Elder Abuse)
The National Center on Elder Abuse has information and resources on elder abuse.
ABA (American Bar Association)
The American Bar Association has compiled resources to learn about and respond to elder abuse.
Training Resources on Elder Abuse
A searchable database of elder abuse related training materials designed for professionals, caregivers and the community.
Elder Abuse Statistics Using the National Incident-Based Reporting System (NIBRS)
Data found on this webpage provides snapshots of elder abuse through the lens of four distinct federal data sets, including NIBRS, a state-level law enforcement data collection mechanism maintained by the FBI.