Elder abuse and neglect is a complex phenomenon and there is no universally accepted definition of the term. However, elder abuse can generally be defined as any action/inaction, effected by a person in a position of trust, which may jeopardise the health or well being of an elderly person.
Elder abuse includes the infliction of physical, emotional, psychological or sexual harm on an elder person. Elder abuse can also take the form of financial exploitation, abandonment, neglect and medication abuse by the caregiver. 
Both abuse and neglect can lead to an elderly person's death in serious circumstances.
This section includes a number of important areas regarding Elder Abuse: