International Journal of Drug Delivery Technology
Volume 16, Issue 14s, 2026

Emotional, Financial, And Physical Abuse Of The Elderly: Causes And Impact

Shipra Bansal1, Dr. Roopam Singh2

1Research Scholar, Department of Humanities & Arts (Psychology), Maharishi University of Information Technology, Lucknow. Email: bansal2145@gmail.com

2Professor and Dean, Department of Humanities & Arts (Psychology), Maharishi University of Information Technology, Lucknow


ABSTRACT

Recently, abuse of the elderly has become a critical social and public health issue in most parts of the world as it has a substantial impact on the physical, emotional, and financial wellbeing of the elderly. As the lifespan of elderly people is increasing and as family arrangements are shifting, the elderly people are becoming more susceptible to all types of abuse both in the home and in the institutions. This research paper seeks to discuss the key causes, forms and effects of emotional, financial and physical abuse on the elderly. Types of emotional abuse are verbal humiliations, neglect and social isolation, and types of financial abuse are exploiting property, coercing and defraud. Physical abuse is the kind of abuse that involves lack of body, injury or physical restraint. The paper also critically examines the available legal requirements, which are aimed at safeguarding the rights and dignity of older people, to point out the gaps in the way these requirements are implemented and enforced. Applying descriptive research method assisted by secondary data, the results show that one of the major causes of elderly abuse is the stress and dependence of caregivers, social isolation, and ignorance of the law. The effects are a psychological distress, economic insecurity, worsening of physical health, and diminishing living standards. The paper highlights the importance of enhanced legal regulations, community support structures, and awareness campaigns as essential in the prevention of the ageing population of elderly abuse and ensuring the safety, dignity and wellbeing of the ageing population.

Keywords: Elder abuse, Emotional abuse, Financial exploitation, Physical abuse, Legal protection, Caregiver stress, Ageing population

How to cite this article: Bansal S, Singh R. Emotional, Financial, And Physical Abuse Of The Elderly: Causes And Impact. Int J Drug Deliv Technol. 2026;16(14s): 305. DOI: 10.25258/ijddt.16.14s.34

Source of support: Nil.

Conflict of interest: None