Elder abuse has become a major problem in our country today. Statistics indicate a high rate of abuse among the elderly population. Unfortunately in our country the elderly suffer abuse on a daily basis. They suffer abuse from their friends, relatives or in their own homes by their caregivers. Furthermore, older adults can and do suffer abuse in the facilities where they receive care. It is quite difficult for people to understand how elders are abused without knowing the cause, effects and solutions of the problem. The purpose of this article is to help you understand the causes of elder abuse, the effects it will have, and the solutions to elder abuse. This way we can understand it completely and prevent this from happening. .Elder abuse can include physical or emotional abuse by caregivers. The elderly are also economically exploited. The abuse can lead to self-abandonment, whereby the elderly person is no longer able to satisfy their personal needs. Understanding what elder abuse entails is important. It will help us identify the problem and prevent the person from becoming another statistic. This will also help prevent elder abuse in the future. It is inevitable that we and our family members will age. To understand this there are many decisions to make. One of the most difficult and perhaps most important decisions involves where the older person will live and how long-term care needs will be met. When the Elder in our life is no longer able to do so independently due to the inability that accompanies many with old age. They will have no chance of losing some of their independence and relying on family, friends and, in the worst case scenario, care homes to provide them with care. I...... half of the paper...... 2011, from ElderAbuse Information.com: http://www.elder-abuse-information.com/abuse/abuse_neglect.htmMalodick, M.L. (2011, March 1 ). Licensed social worker. (T. burroughs, interviewer) MD, HC (2009, August 5). Jama patient page elder abuse. Retrieved March 18, 2011, from the American Medical Association: http://jama.ama-assn.org/content/302/5/588.full.pdfMD, S. M. (2009, April 20). Emedicine. Retrieved March 15, 2011, from Emedicine.com: http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/805727-overviewNational Center on Elder Abuse. (2011, na). Retrieved February 22, 2011, from www.ncea.gov: http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/ncearoot/Main_Site/Library/Statistics_Research/Abuse_StatisticsNursing home abuse negligence lawyers.N (2011). Retrieved March 23, 2011, from www.nursinghomeabusenegligenceattorneys: http://www.nursing-home-abuse-negligence-attorneys.com/html/types.html