If someone says the words “elder abuse” the image that pops into most people’s heads is that a battered and bruised elderly female. While elder abuse does take this form, it is often more subtle--and unfortunately not always visible to the eye. Elder abuse takes many forms. Physical abuse is an obvious one; others include: sexual abuse, neglect by a caregiver, financial exploitation, emotional or verbal abuse, and even self-neglect. Most of the abuse occurs behind the closed doors of the elder’s home. Elder abuse occurs in both high-income and low-income homes. Two-thirds of the perpetrators of abuse are family members. When one form of abuse is present, it is likely that other forms are present as well. When elders don’t adequately care for themselves, their likelihood of falling victim to others increases.