It's often said that with elder abuse, we are where we were with domestic violence back in the 1960s and 1970s. So perhaps it is a matter of time before we will get to the point where elder abuse is taken as seriously as domestic violence, child abuse, and sexual assault.
When we talk about the abuse and neglect of older adults, I believe it is partly due to ageism. My belief is that ageism is the reason these types of cases are not treated as seriously as others.