Elder Abuse: Identification, Reporting, and Intervention for Behavioral Health Professionals E314

Course Summary

Practice Level: Beginner

Elder abuse is a significant public health, social, and human rights concern that affects millions of older adults each year (U.S. Department of Justice [DOJ], 2025). As populations age and life expectancy continues to increase, protecting the safety, dignity, and well-being of older adults has become an increasingly urgent priority. Yet, elder abuse often remains hidden. Many older adults are reluctant or unable to disclose their experiences because of fear, shame, dependence on a caregiver, cognitive impairment, social isolation, or concerns about losing their independence. Others may not recognize that they are being abused or exploited. Consequently, many cases go undetected, which allows abuse to continue while victims experience worsening physical health, psychological distress, financial hardship, and diminished quality of life.

Behavioral health professionals are uniquely positioned to recognize when something may be wrong. No matter the setting in which they practice, clinicians work to establish trusting relationships with older adults that develop over time. These ongoing interactions allow clinicians to notice subtle changes in mood, behavior, cognitive functioning, interpersonal relationships, or daily functioning that might otherwise go unnoticed. Although behavioral health professionals are not responsible for determining whether abuse has occurred, they play a critical role in recognizing warning signs, documenting concerns, and fulfilling reporting obligations. They may also collaborate with agencies and other professionals responsible for investigating suspected abuse.

This course is designed for social workers, psychologists, marriage and family therapists, and professional counselors who work with older adults in behavioral health, health-care, residential, and community settings. Its purpose is to strengthen clinicians’ ability to recognize possible elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation and to respond within the boundaries of their professional role. The course reviews major forms and dynamics of elder abuse; risk and protective factors; clinical indicators; assessment, documentation, and intervention strategies; reporting and multidisciplinary response; legal and ethical considerations; and culturally responsive prevention. Case examples demonstrate how these concepts may arise in practice. By completing the course, clinicians will be better prepared to recognize concerns, communicate with older adults in a trauma-informed manner, document relevant findings, understand when reporting obligations may apply, collaborate with appropriate professionals and agencies, and support client safety while respecting autonomy.

Course Format

This course contains downloadable online lessons (PDF) and a practice test. When you’re ready, purchase the course by clicking the “Add To Cart” or “Enroll” button. This will let you take the test, complete the course evaluation and receive your certificate for CE credits.

Learning Objectives

1. Identify the major types, risk factors, and indicators of elder abuse in clinical and community settings.
2. Recognize appropriate reporting and intervention strategies for suspected elder abuse.
3. Explain legal and ethical responsibilities related to mandated reporting and client protection.
4. Apply cultural humility when assessing and responding to possible elder abuse across diverse older-adult populations.

Course Syllabus

• Introduction 
• Overview of Elder Abuse 
  • Definition of elder abuse
  • Scope and prevalence
  • Relevance to behavioral health professionals
• Types and Dynamics of Elder Abuse 
  • Physical abuse
  • Emotional/psychological abuse
  • Sexual abuse
  • Financial exploitation
  • Neglect and self-neglect
  • Dynamics of power and control
  • Case Example 
• Risk Factors and Indicators of Elder Abuse 
  • Individual, caregiver, and systemic risk factors
  • Protective factors
  • Physical, behavioral, financial, and environmental indicators
  • Case Example 
• Screening and Intervention 
  • Interview strategies
  • Barriers to disclosure
  • Cognitive impairment considerations
  • Documentation practices
  • Case Example 
• Reporting and Multidisciplinary Response 
  • Safety planning
  • Referrals and collaboration
  • Mandated reporting
  • Trauma-informed care
  • Family and caregiver dynamics
  • Case Example
• Legal and Ethical Considerations 
  • Confidentiality limits
  • Autonomy versus protection
  • Capacity considerations
  • Ethical dilemmas
• Cultural Considerations and Prevention 
  • Cultural beliefs and barriers
  • Cultural humility
  • Special populations
  • Prevention strategies
• Summary 
• References

Author

Jessica Patterson, LISW, DSW

Jessica Patterson, LISW, DSW, is a licensed social worker and the Live and VOD Content Director for Level Education Group. She has more than 15 years of professional experience in social services, behavioral health, trauma-informed practice, and community-based support systems. Jessica has presented and trained staff on mandatory reporting, collaborated with numerous organizations focused on eldercare, and guided many helping professionals through continuing education in the areas of aging and end-of-life care.

Jessica also has extensive experience developing curricula and professional continuing education programs for social workers and other helping professionals, including content aligned with professional standards and licensure requirements. She earned her Master of Social Work from the University of Iowa and her Doctor of Social Work from Capella University and is a Licensed Independent Social Worker in Iowa.

Nicole Errickson, LCSW

Nicole is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW) in the state of Georgia. She brings over 19 years experience in the social work field, primarily working in school systems as a school social worker and with the McKinney-Vento grant. Over her career, Nicole has had several opportunities to help develop and execute professional development events. Nicole has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from the University of South Alabama and a Masters in Social Work from the University of Alabama.

Accreditation Approval Statements

CE4Less.com is approved by the American Psychological Association to sponsor continuing education for psychologists. CE4Less.com maintains responsibility for this program and its content.

CE4Less.com, provider #1115, is approved as an ACE provider to offer social work continuing education by the Association of Social Work Boards (ASWB) Approved Continuing Education (ACE) program. Regulatory boards are the final authority on courses accepted for continuing education credit. ACE provider approval period: 08/08/2024–08/08/2027. Social workers completing this course receive 1 general continuing education credits.

Level Education Group, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Mental Health Practitioners as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed mental health counselors #MHC-0355.

Level Education Group, LLC is recognized by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work as an approved provider of continuing education for licensed social workers #SW-0835.

We are committed to providing our learners with unbiased information. CE4Less never accepts commercial support and our authors have no significant financial or other conflicts of interest pertaining to the material.