Protecting Older Adults: Addressing Abuse and Neglect During Health Crises

This paper presents a conceptual review and synthesis of research on elder abuse and neglect during global pandemics, aiming to serve as a teaching and learning resource for students, paraprofessionals, and professionals working with individuals aged 60 years and older. Elder abuse and neglect have emerged as pressing social issues, exacerbated by the growing population of older adults. In the United States, the number of people aged 65 and older is projected to nearly double from 52 million in 2018 to 95 million by 2060, increasing their share of the total population from 16% to 23% (U.S. Census Bureau, 2019). With longer life expectancies—averaging 19.4 additional years for those reaching age 65—older adults face increased caregiving needs, elevating their vulnerability to abuse and neglect. The COVID-19 pandemic intensified these risks by creating conditions of social isolation, limited access to support services, and increased caregiver stress, all of which contributed to higher incidences of abuse, neglect, and self-neglect among the elderly. By synthesizing current research, this review highlights the prevalence, risk factors, and consequences of elder mistreatment in pandemic contexts, offering insights for policy development, professional practice, and educational strategies to better protect older populations.