Elder Abuse

Many people may be involved in an older adult’s care. Especially in cases where an older adult is mentally unable to make decisions for him/herself, the law often refers to a caregiver as a “responsible adult.” The types of caregivers include:

• Family members or informal caregivers could be relatives, partners, friends, or neighbors with significant personal relationships with the older adult. They may provide many different kinds of assistance for the older adult and may be the main person responsible for his/her care.
• Formal caregivers are paid workers or volunteers who assist and care for an older adult through an organization or other formal service. They may provide various supportive services in an older adult’s home or through local community services. These services can include assistance with bathing, chores, adult day services, transportation, and meals.¹

¹ This information is adapted from the Family Caregiver Alliance.