Elder Rights
Boulder County Area Agency on Aging works to protect the rights of elders to live safely, with dignity and to be free from abuse, neglect or financial exploitation.
Elder Abuse Awareness
- Each year, an estimated 5 million older adults are abused, neglected, or exploited.
- Older Americans lose an estimated $2.6 billion or more annually due to elder financial abuse and exploitation, funds that could be used to pay for basic needs such as housing, food, and medical care.
- Elder abuse occurs in every demographic and can happen to anyone—a family member, a neighbor, even you.
- It is estimated that only one in five of these crimes are discovered.
Reporting Elder Abuse
Abuse of an older adult can happen in many ways. They might be kept from seeing family or friends. Money might be used without consent, or there could be threats of harm. Often times, the older adult may have their health, general care, or emotional needs neglected.
If you’ve witnessed an older adult being abused or suspect it could be happening, call Adult Protective Services, 303-441-1309. Call 911 in an emergency.
The BCAAA works closely with community partners, including the Boulder County District Attorney’s Community Protection Division, to provide a collaborated community response to elder abuse. We continually work to raise awareness, prevent and combat elder abuse.
Additional Information
If you would like more information about elder rights and elder abuse issues, or to schedule a community education on the warning signs of abuse and what to do about it, please contact our Elder Rights Program Manager at 303-441-1170, or ecorson@bouldercounty.org.
Online Resources
