What kind of treatment qualifies as elder abuse? How do I know if it is something I should be formally reporting elder abuse?

Generally speaking, if you suspect that an elderly person is being abused in some way, you should not let the abuse go unreported.  By reporting elder abuse, you will be helping individuals who are no longer able to stand up for themselves or fight back against their abusive caregivers.  Elder abuse can come in many different forms, and it can be intentional or unintentional on the part of the caregiver. 

It is important to understand that unintentional elder abuse, such as ignorance of how to administer proper care, is still abuse even though the caregiver may not mean to hurt the elder.  Whether the abuse is physical, emotional, financial or sexual, reporting elder abuse may be the only possibility that an elderly person has of being saved from a painful and dangerous situation.