Why Is Elder Abuse Underreported?

Elder abuse affects an estimated 1 in 10 seniors, but only 1 in 24 cases are reported. Globally, it has been estimated that in 2024, 1 in 6 people age 60 years and older experienced abuse in community settings. There are many complex factors and barriers that affect victims, their families, and surrounding systems. Unfortunately, unreported abuse is known to be associated with three times higher hospitalization rates and a 300% increased mortality risk. 

Older adults with cognitive and physical limitations are often unable to report abuse. If they have dementia or Alzheimer’s, they may not be able to recognize abuse, and if they have a communication impairment, it can prevent them from reporting abuse when it is recognizable. It has been suggested that around 50% of dementia patients experience abuse, but they’re unable to report it due to cognitive decline. Those who are able to communicate may also be threatened with retaliation by those who are abusing them. These threats may include additional harm, withdrawal of care and housing, or even institutionalization. Additionally, elder abuse victims may experience shame and embarrassment, especially if they have been sexually or financially abused. 

In 47% of elder abuse cases, the abusers are family members of the victims, such as spouses or adult children. Sometimes, victims of elder abuse don’t disclose abuse because they fear that these family members may be arrested or become homeless due to the consequences of their behavior. Emotional ties to abusers also prevent seniors from reporting abuse. When the abusive party is a caregiver, many seniors choose not to report abuse because they are dependent on their caregiver for survival. 

Significant systemic and institutional failures also contribute to underreporting of elder abuse. It has been estimated that 95% of nursing homes are understaffed, which makes neglect less visible to other staff members. Abuse in institutions is often committed by overworked staff, but some workers fear loss of employment due to retaliation, so they don’t report abuse or neglect at all. Factors such as inspection backlogs across 31 states and vacancy rates for inspections as high as 83% also prevent consistent and effective documentation. 

Sources

“Elder Abuse Statistics for 2025”. Senior Living. https://www.seniorliving.org/research/elder-abuse-statistics/ 

“Elder Abuse”. StatPearls. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK560883/ 

“Nursing Home Abuse Statistics”. Nursing Home Abuse Center. https://www.nursinghomeabusecenter.com/nursing-home-abuse/statistics/ 

“Abuse of Older People”. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/abuse-of-older-people 

“Exposing barriers to reporting elder abuse and why we must take action”. Melbourne Academic Centre for Health. https://machaustralia.org/exposing-barriers-to-reporting-elder-abuse-and-why-we-must-take-action/ 

“Elder Abuse Statistics in 2025”. The Senior List. https://www.theseniorlist.com/caregiving/elder-abuse/statistics/ 

“Get the Facts on Elder Abuse”. National Council on Aging. https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-elder-abuse/ 

“6 Reasons Why Elder Abuse Goes Unreported”. Mandated Reporter Training. https://mandatedreportertraining.com/resources/blog/6-reasons-why-elder-abuse-goes-unreported/