Elder abuse is any kind of treatment that results in physical harm, pain, or mental suffering. In cases of abuse, an elder is considered to be someone aged 60 or over. Denying an older person the goods or services that he or she needs either for physical health and safety or for the prevention of mental suffering is also abuse.

Elder abuse may be an intentional act- a conscious attempt to cause harm or inflict suffering. It may also be an unintentional act- because of inadequate knowledge, information, or irresponsibility on the part of the person responsible.

Elder abuse is usually caused by someone the elder knows or trusts and isdependent on for care, including family members. Elder abuse can be found anywhere that senior or dependent citizens and their caregivers are located- in the home as well as in residential or nursing homes.

Certain persons/agencies are considered, under the Welfare and Institutions Code mandatory reporters. Any person who has full or part-time responsibility for care or custody of an elder/dependent adult/ or any care custodian, health practitioner, Adult Protective Services, Ombudsman, and law enforcement officer is a mandatory reporter. Any mandated reporter who has observed, has knowledge of, or is told by an elder or dependent adult of an incident of abuse or neglect shall report the suspected instance of abuse or neglect by telephone immediately or as soon as practically possible.