Denver, CO – October 8, 2025.  Elder abuse is not a dinner table discussion. When asked, many family members can describe caregiving concerns in their families. However, these concerns may not be recognized as elder abuse or identified as physical, sexual, or emotional abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, or self-neglect.

Many family caregivers who agree to the role of agent under medical or financial power of attorney find themselves ill-equipped to manage care for elderly loved ones when dementia or Alzheimer's advances. Care refusals, agitation, and behaviors can prevent needed care and result in unintentional neglect or abuse.

In other cases, a sibling appointed as a power of attorney agent may abuse their authority by isolating a parent, using a parent's money for their own benefit, or refusing to interact with other family members. A lack of transparency about the care of a spouse or elderly parent can be a sign of elder abuse.

Aging parents with Alzheimer's or dementia who have difficulty performing multiple activities of daily living are at higher risk of self-neglect. These individuals may forget to eat, take medications, bathe, or do other activities that were previously routine.

Elder Abuse Reporting Can Protect Elderly Parents

While it may be easier to ignore the situation, family members should not overlook suspected elder abuse, especially when an elderly parent or loved one may be unable or fearful of speaking up and asking for assistance.

Conflict between family members that remains unresolved can be another sign of elder abuse and neglect, especially when questions exist about the intentions or actions of the primary caregiver, who may hide or withhold information.

The growing population of adults over age 65 with chronic illnesses, including memory loss, will continue to drive increases in older adult abuse and neglect and the need for elder abuse reporting.

Family Members Can Stop Elder Abuse by Reporting It

Family members have the greatest opportunity to stop elder abuse by collaborating with state, federal, and government agencies. While not all individuals report positive experiences working with Adult Protective Services, learning how to provide information and ask for assistance can improve this experience.

Local communities must raise the comfort levels of families who recognize or suspect elder abuse so that more adult children and other family members are willing to report and work with government, social service agencies, healthcare agencies, and the criminal justice system to investigate and prosecute.

In the meantime, caregiver support and education programs around elder abuse can be helpful to increase awareness and reporting so that elderly family members remain protected and safe from elder abuse and neglect.

Pamela D Wilson, Caregiving Expert

Wilson is a keynote speaker and educator who also offers one-on-one video and telephone consultations with family caregivers around the topic of elder abuse reporting, health, financial, legal, and family caregiving matters. She is an expert witness in caregiving, guardianship, conservatorship, home care, elder abuse, and neglect cases, supporting elder law, estate planning, probate, family, and personal injury law firms. She hosts The Caring Generation® podcast and is the author of The Caregiving Trap: Solutions for Life's Unexpected Changes. Contact Pamela by telephone at 303-810-1816

Learn more about Pamela at www.pameladwilson.com.

CONTACT: Pamela D. Wilson +1 303-810-1816

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