According to the National Elder Abuse Incidence Study conducted in 1998, there are as many as 551,000 cases of elder abuse annually in the United States. Yet States have found it difficult to gain adequate funding for programs that protect elders from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. Given the scope of the problem and the limited resources to combat it, it is generally social workers, police, and other social service professionals who encounter and deal with elder abuse. As such, this chapter was designed to provide these professionals with a working knowledge of the types of elder abuse; the cultural, social, and situational dynamics of elder abuse; and methods of detection, assessment, and treatment. The author begins with a description of the three main categories of mistreatment--abuse, neglect, and exploitation--and the consequences of mistreatment for elderly victims. The cultural and societal factors contributing to the problem of elder abuse are considered and include elder dependence and the widespread ageism and prejudicial attitudes toward the elderly that are evident in American culture. Next, situational factors contributing to elder abuse are discussed, such as the pressures associated with excessive caregiver work, drug abuse, or financial difficulties. Practical and theoretical models for explaining elder abuse are presented, including social exchange theory and the environmental press model, before the author turns to a discussion of detection, assessment, and intervention methods for elder abuse. Due to funding deficiencies and a lack of legal provisions for uniformly handling elder mistreatment, effective interventions are often lacking and fall either upon the creativity of protective service workers or to area agencies on aging. The chapter concludes with discussion questions, simulated exercises, and a listing of Internet resources. Appendix, references