{"id":355734,"date":"2016-04-04T11:01:54","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T16:01:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/elder\/elder-abuse\/elder-abandonment.html"},"modified":"2026-07-01T13:53:00","modified_gmt":"2026-07-01T18:53:00","slug":"elder-abandonment","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/elder\/elder-abuse\/elder-abandonment.html","title":{"rendered":"Older Adult Abandonment"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Older Adult Abandonment<\/h1>\n\n
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\n By FindLaw Staff<\/a> | Legally reviewed by Melissa Bender, Esq.<\/a>\n | Last updated\n
\n \n <\/i>\n Legally Reviewed\n <\/summary>\n\n
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This article has been written and reviewed for legal accuracy, clarity, and style by FindLaw\u2019s team of legal writers and attorneys<\/a> and in accordance with our editorial standards<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n\n

\n \n <\/i>\n Fact-Checked\n <\/summary>\n\n
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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n\n\n

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Older adult abandonment happens when someone responsible for an older adult\u2019s care willfully deserts them, leaving the person without support or supervision. It\u2019s considered a form of elder abuse, distinct from neglect because it involves a complete break in contact rather than inadequate care.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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The federal government has passed several laws to protect senior citizens from abuse. Types of elder abuse<\/a> include:<\/p>\n