Elder abuse includes physical, psychological or emotional, financial, sexual, and medication abuse; violations of civil or human rights; and active and passive neglect. Canada's legal system has responded to this abuse in several ways. Prince Edward Island's Adult Protection Act incorporates a voluntary reporting system, while adult protection legislation in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia includes mandatory reporting requirements. Specific needs of the elderly should be identified as part of an effort to increase the level of abuse reporting. Services that should be readily available for abused seniors include access to information, public education and awareness programs, counseling and referral, crisis management and intervention, volunteer peer support services, and volunteer services. Although there is no need to create a new service structure for seniors, existing services need to be revamped so that they interface with other services. Periodic evaluation of existing programs is also important to ensure their continued effectiveness. The RCMP is in an ideal position to serve as a communication link between Canadian communities, providing information on the impact of existing programs and new initiatives and compiling and disseminating national statistical data on crime patterns and trends. Recommendations to improve the quality of services to the elderly population and to minimize abuse are offered that focus on training, programs and services, public education and awareness, information collection and distribution, and research.