Overview of Criminal Elder Abuse

Abuse of older persons is a crime in Iowa. If a person is what the law calls an “older individual” and has been abused as defined by the elder abuse laws, that person is entitled to protection and the person who abused them may be charged with a crime. Iowa Code sections 726.24 and 726.25.

Two Types of Criminal Elder Abuse

Under Iowa law, there are two types of criminal elder abuse.

Elder Abuse: ​​​​​​This includes abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, isolation, and sexual exploitation of an older individual. This is all forms of abuse other than financial.

Financial Exploitation: This is the taking or using of the benefits, property, resources, belongings, or assets belonging to the older person. This can be money or other things like a house, car, or medicine.

It is not unusual for an older person to be a victim of elder abuse, financial exploitation, and other crimes at the same time.