Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2026: What Can You Do If You Think Someone is a Victim of Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is a common issue, but not one that is talked about enough – it takes on many forms, including physical, mental, and financial abuse, and often goes undetected for long periods of time.  

As elder law attorneys, we know we have a unique opportunity to interact with elderly victims of abuse in our professional capacity, and as such, we undergo specialized training to understand how to spot signs of elder abuse and how to intervene to bring help to elder abuse victims, as a regular part of our continuing professional education and development. The more people who know these signs, however, the more likely we are to be able to bring meaningful help to those suffering from elder abuse. If you suspect abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an older adult in New York, knowing what to look for, who to call, and what legal protections are available can prepare you with the tools and information necessary to take meaningful action if you become aware of potential elder abuse in your own community.  

That is why, on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, it is important to think about not just how often elderly individuals fall victim to abuse, and why, but also about what you can do if you believe someone may be a victim of elder abuse.  

In honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, starting on June 15, this multi-part series of articles will cover a different topic each day this week relating to elder abuse and neglect – beginning with “Understanding Why Elderly People Are Vulnerable to Abuse (and Why It Often Goes Undetected)” – and followed throughout the week by articles dedicated to addressing the ways you can detect hidden signs of elder abuse, what you can do if you think someone is suffering from elder abuse, understanding legal tools and protections available to victims of elder abuse – and more!

For our first article in this series, visit “PART I: Why Elderly People Are Vulnerable to Abuse – and Why it Often Goes Undetected” here.