
Elder abuse occurs when people ages 60 and older are mistreated by others. This can be by family members, caregivers, friends and even strangers. “Anyone can be a victim of abuse, but it is more likely to happen to those who have dementia or a disability, or who don’t have a strong social network,” says Philip Benyo, MD, primary care physician at LVPG Geriatric and Internal Medicine–Brookhill Plaza.