When it is and why it matters
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed on June 15 each year. It was established by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and the World Health Organization in 2006 and recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011. The observance exists to draw attention to one of the least-discussed forms of harm: the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults, often by the people closest to them.
The World Health Organization estimates that approximately one in six people aged 60 and older experiences some form of abuse each year in community settings. That figure rises significantly in institutional care environments. Elder abuse takes many forms: physical harm, emotional manipulation, financial exploitation, sexual violence, and neglect, which includes both active neglect (withholding care) and passive neglect (being too overwhelmed to provide adequate care, often without intending harm).
Elder abuse is underreported. Older adults may not disclose abuse because they fear being removed from their homes, because the abuser is a family member they depend on, because they feel shame, or because they have cognitive changes that make reporting difficult. This makes awareness, and the availability of safe, accessible support, more important, not less.
What the research says
The mental health consequences of elder abuse are significant and often compound existing conditions. Studies published in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry and elsewhere have documented elevated rates of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal ideation among older adults who have experienced abuse. These outcomes persist even when the abuse has stopped, because the violation of trust, particularly by a caregiver or family member, can fundamentally alter a person’s sense of safety and relationship to others.
Caregiver stress is a recognized risk factor for elder abuse. Research consistently shows that caregivers who are experiencing burnout, depression, financial strain, or social isolation are at elevated risk of engaging in abusive or neglectful behavior, often without intending harm. This does not excuse abuse. But it does mean that supporting caregivers is also a form of elder abuse prevention. A caregiver who has access to respite, peer support, and mental health resources is less likely to reach a point of crisis that spills over into harmful behavior.
Social isolation is both a risk factor and a consequence of elder abuse. Abusers frequently isolate older adults from friends, family, and community as a control mechanism. At the same time, isolated older adults who lack social connection are more vulnerable to abuse in the first place. Support groups, by definition a form of community, are one response to this cycle.
The research on peer support for older adults is strong. A 2019 review in The Gerontologist found that peer support programs for older adults reduced depression and loneliness, improved self-efficacy, and increased help-seeking behavior. For older adults who have experienced abuse, the specific benefits of connecting with others who understand, without judgment, are significant.
Groups for older adults and caregivers in our directory
The Group Guide is building out its directory of support groups for older adults and those who care for them. If you facilitate a group for seniors, elder abuse survivors, or caregivers, online or in person, you can claim a free Founding Member listing at List Your Group.
The following search terms may surface relevant options:
- “Elder abuse”: groups specifically for older adults who have experienced abuse or exploitation
- “Seniors”: general support groups for older adults addressing mental health, grief, and social connection
- “Caregivers”: groups for family and professional caregivers, including those experiencing burnout
Browse by location and format at thegroupguide.com.
How to choose a support group for older adults or caregivers
Whether you are an older adult looking for connection and support, someone who has experienced abuse, or a caregiver in need of your own care, the right group depends on which of those experiences is primary.
For older adults seeking connection: Look for groups specifically designed for older adults, where members share life stage and the experiences that come with it, retirement, loss, health changes, family transitions. Senior centers, faith communities, and Area Agencies on Aging are often good starting points. These groups may not focus on abuse specifically, but the community they provide is itself a protective factor.
For older adults who have experienced abuse: Look for groups facilitated by someone with training in trauma and elder care, with strong confidentiality practices. Your state’s Adult Protective Services office may be able to connect you with survivor-specific resources. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) also maintains a resource directory.
For caregivers: Caregiver support groups deserve their own category. The experience of caring for an aging parent or spouse is different from the experience of the person being cared for, and a room full of other caregivers who understand the exhaustion, the guilt, and the grief is more useful than a group that was not designed with caregivers in mind. Search specifically for “caregiver support.”
Online groups extend access. Transportation and mobility can be genuine barriers for older adults seeking in-person support. Online groups are not a lesser alternative, for many older adults, they are the most accessible option and produce equivalent outcomes.
Other resources
- Eldercare Locator: 1-800-677-1116 or eldercare.acl.gov: connects older adults and caregivers to local services including legal aid, respite care, and support groups
- National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA): ncea.acl.gov: research, resources, and a directory of state adult protective services agencies
- NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness): nami.org: peer support and education programs for older adults with mental health conditions and their families
- Caregiver Action Network: caregiveraction.org: peer support, education, and advocacy for family caregivers
- 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline: call or text 988: free, confidential, 24/7
FAQ
What is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day?
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed on June 15 each year. It was established by the World Health Organization and the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse in 2006, and recognized by the United Nations in 2011. The observance draws attention to the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults and promotes awareness of available support.
What counts as elder abuse?
Elder abuse includes physical harm, emotional manipulation, financial exploitation, sexual violence, and neglect, including both intentional and passive neglect. The WHO estimates that one in six people aged 60 and older experiences some form of abuse each year. It most often occurs within families and caregiving relationships.
How does elder abuse affect mental health?
Older adults who have experienced abuse have significantly elevated rates of depression, anxiety, PTSD, and suicidal ideation. The violation of trust, particularly when the abuser is a family member or caregiver, can profoundly affect a person’s sense of safety and ability to form trusting relationships. These effects can persist long after the abuse has ended.
Are there support groups for caregivers as well as older adults?
Yes. Caregiver support groups are distinct from senior support groups, and both are important. Caregivers of older adults face elevated rates of depression, anxiety, and burnout, and are underserved by most elder-care programming. Search specifically for “caregiver support” in The Group Guide’ directory.
What if I or someone I know is in an unsafe situation right now?
If you are in immediate danger, call 911. For non-emergency support or to report concerns, contact the Eldercare Locator at 1-800-677-1116; they can connect you to your local Adult Protective Services. If you are in emotional distress, call or text 988.
The Group Guide is a directory. Group leaders write their own listings, and we do not vet, supervise, or endorse the groups listed here. We are not a clinic and we do not provide clinical services or guarantee outcomes. That is the group’s work, not ours. If you are in crisis, call or text 988.