Market scope notice: This article draws on both Korean and U.S. sources. Each piece of information is labeled 🇰🇷 Korea or 🇺🇸 U.S. in the body to indicate which country it applies to.
It is not easy to imagine that a parent is being abused. It is even harder to accept that the person responsible could be a spouse or a child. Yet the statistics speak clearly. 🇰🇷 Korea According to the 2025 Elder Abuse Status Report published by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, the 39 regional 노인보호전문기관 (Regional Elder Protection Specialist Agencies) across the country received 26,578 elder abuse reports in 2025 alone — a 16.8% increase over the previous year — of which 7,973 cases were officially confirmed as abuse. 🇺🇸 U.S. According to CDC data, it is estimated that approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60 and older experiences some form of abuse every year.
Abuse happens in spaces that are hard to see. 🇰🇷 Korea Looking at where abuse occurs, 7,076 cases — 88.7% of the total — took place inside the home; abuse in residential facilities accounted for 614 cases, and abuse at day-use facilities for 87 cases. 🇺🇸 U.S. In the United States as well, close to 90% of cases are reported to occur in the victim's own home. In both countries, the home — the very space that should be safest — is the primary setting for abuse. That is precisely why abuse so often goes undetected for a long time without the attention of those around the victim.
It is also important to look closely at who the perpetrators are. 🇰🇷 Korea Among those confirmed as abusers in 2024, spouses accounted for 38.7% and sons for 26.4%, meaning these two groups made up more than 65% of the total. As the number of households consisting solely of an elderly couple continues to grow, the share of abuse committed by spouses has been steadily rising. 🇺🇸 U.S. Data from the U.S. National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) likewise indicates that approximately 90% of abusers are family members, primarily spouses or adult children. The complexity of these relationships is one of the biggest reasons people hesitate to report abuse.
Abuse does not mean only physical violence. 🇰🇷 Korea According to the 2025 status report, various types were recorded: physical abuse at 5,215 cases (44.2%), emotional abuse at 5,135 cases (43.5%), neglect at 630 cases (5.3%), and financial abuse at 326 cases (2.8%). Behaviors that are invisible to the eye — verbal insults, dismissiveness, denial of decision-making rights, and control over assets — all constitute abuse. 🇺🇸 U.S. In the United States, verbal harassment and financial exploitation are cited as the most frequently reported forms of elder abuse.
What should you do if you suspect abuse? 🇰🇷 Korea Elder abuse can be reported 24 hours a day by calling 1577-1389 (노인보호전문기관, Regional Elder Protection Specialist Agency) without a regional prefix, or through the smartphone app 나비새김 (Nabisaegim, Elder Guardian). The 나비새김 app allows users to attach photos, videos, and audio files, and automatically connects to the responsible agency based on location information. After a report is received, specialist agencies respond on-site within 12 hours for emergency cases and within 72 hours for non-emergency cases. In addition, certain professionals — including nurse aides and social workers at medical institutions — are designated by law as mandatory reporters. 🇺🇸 U.S. In the United States, the point of contact is each state's Adult Protective Services (APS). Calling the nationwide information line Eldercare Locator (1-800-677-1116) will connect you to the APS office serving your area. In emergency situations, call 911.
There are also programs that continue to protect the rights of abused older adults after a report has been made. 🇰🇷 Korea Starting in 2026, the government has been implementing sanctions against long-term care facilities that receive an abuse determination, including lowering their evaluation grade by one level and excluding them from bonus payment eligibility. Ongoing monitoring of high-risk households to prevent repeat abuse is also being strengthened. 🇺🇸 U.S. Each state's Long-Term Care Ombudsman program is an independent body that advocates for the rights of older adults living in facilities and handles complaints; it also serves as a separate reporting channel when abuse is suspected within a facility.
As a family caregiver, the most important thing is not to make judgments alone when something feels wrong. If a parent has suddenly become much quieter, if unexplained bruises or injuries keep appearing, or if there are repeated requests to borrow spending money or sudden changes regarding the disposal of assets, please reach out to a specialist agency for a consultation first. The purpose of reporting is not punishment — it is protection. Specialist agencies work with you to find an approach that takes the family relationship into account. Sierra Care Advisor walks alongside Korean-American families who feel lost about which agency to contact and how, when they find themselves in a situation where abuse may be occurring.
Sources: Ministry of Health and Welfare · 중앙노인보호전문기관 (Central Elder Protection Specialist Agency), "2025 Elder Abuse Status Report"; 대한민국 정책브리핑 (Republic of Korea Policy Briefing) (June 14, 2026); U.S. CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) elder abuse statistics; U.S. National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA); U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) elder abuse materials; Eldercare Locator (official service of the U.S. Administration on Aging); American Bar Association (ABA) elder abuse reporting guidance.
Note: This article was compiled by AI from the sources cited above. We strive for accuracy, but for decisions about your specific situation, please confirm the latest guidance from a professional or the relevant agency.