Reports of elder abuse to social services agencies can come from a variety of sources. The
definition of abuse includes physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, neglect, and
financial exploitation (17). Physical abuse is defined as inflicting physical pain or injury
upon an older adult. Sexual abuse is touching, fondling, intercourse, or any other sexual
activity with an older adult, when the older adult is unable to understand, unwilling to
consent, threatened or physically forced. Psychological abuse involves verbal assaults, threat
of abuse, harassment or intimidation. Neglect is a caregiver’s failure to provide an older
adult with life’s necessities, including, but not limited to, food, clothing, shelter or medical
care. Financial exploitation includes the misuse, or withholding of an older adult’s resources