Definition: Rate (per 100,000 total population) of verified maltreatment in investigations for adults 60+. Population estimates for rate calculation were acquired from the Bureau of Economic and Business Research.

Source: Florida Department of Children and Families, Adult Protective Services

2025 Target: 34.88 per 100,000

In 2016, the rate of elder maltreatment was approximately 39 verified investigations per 100,000 members of the total population. This rate has more than doubled since 2008. This may be due to the economic recession starting in 2008, and the increased education of the public about elder maltreatment, resulting in more cases being reported. The elder maltreatment rate in Sarasota is higher than that of the state of Florida, with a difference of 10.4 verified investigations per 100,000 population. This may be do to the higher population of older residents in Sarasota County. The Florida Department of Elder Affairs recognizes five different types of elder maltreatment: physical abuse, emotional or psychological abuse, financial or material exploitation, sexual abuse, and self-neglect. In 2015-2016, there were 54,234 adult maltreatment investigations in the state of Florida. The most common forms of maltreatment were self-neglect (27.03%), inadequate supervision (20.28%), and financial or material exploitation (15.70%).

Victims of elder maltreatment and neglect are most often vulnerable adults. The Department of Elder Affairs defines vulnerable adults as “a person age 18 or older whose ability to perform the normal activities of daily living, and/or provide for his/her own care and protection, is impaired due to a mental, emotional, sensory, long term physical, or developmental disability or dysfunction, such as brain damage, or due to the infirmities of aging.” The perpetrators of elder maltreatment are often caregivers and family members. Family dynamics often contribute to maltreatment. It is more likely to occur if there is a lack of family support or isolation from others, or if caregivers feel forced to provide care. According to the DOEA, perpetrators of elder maltreatment are more often female, are likely to have a history of mental problems, may be using or abusing alcohol or other substances, be in a poor financial situation, and often lack understanding about the needs of those for whom they care.

According to the Health in Aging Foundation, instances of maltreatment often go unreported. Those who consider reporting maltreatment often don’t because, in the majority of cases, the victim is being abused by a family member or primary caregiver, and is thus dependent on their abuser. Abusers also often blame their victims, telling them that the maltreatment is their fault. It is therefore necessary to educate people about the warning signs so that others may report maltreatment if the victim is unwilling or unable to do so themselves.