National estimates of the prevalence of elder abuse indicate that 1 out of every 20 senior citizens or vver 1.5 million older people is a victim of elder abuse. There is a lack of reasearch in elder abuse and neglect . The fact that 13% of the nation's population is over the age of 65 and this figure will rise to almost 20% by the 2020s emphasizes the need for more research in this area.