Reporting elder abuse

Elder abuse includes neglect and financial exploitation too. If you suspect it, report it.

Forms of elder abuse

• Physical abuse — hitting, shoving, restraining.
• Emotional abuse — verbal abuse, threats, ignoring, isolating.
• Neglect — withholding meals, medication or medical care.
• Financial exploitation — using a pension or assets without consent.
• Abandonment — leaving someone at a hospital or facility and cutting contact.
• Self-neglect — leaving someone unable to care for themselves without help.

How to report

1. Call 1577-1389 (elder protection agency) or 112.
2. Immediate danger means 112.
3. Explain when, where and what is happening.
4. The reporter's identity is protected.
5. After investigation come counselling, protective separation and legal measures.

Problems in care facilities

• If you suspect abuse in a facility, tell 1577-1389 and the local authority's elderly welfare department.
• Keep visit records, photographs of injuries and notes of conversations.
• You can raise complaints about long-term care providers with the NHIS on 1577-1000.

Where to go

• 1577-1389 elder protection agency
• 112 emergencies
• 129 Health and Welfare Call Centre
• 1577-1000 National Health Insurance Service (long-term care)
• The elderly welfare officer at your community centre

Questions people ask

Can I report if the abuser is family? Yes. Abuse is abuse regardless of the relationship.

I think the carer is simply exhausted. Carer strain is also a subject for counselling. Explore long-term care services, day care and home care through 1577-1000 and your community centre.

The older person doesn't want a report made. Counselling is still possible. Explain the situation to 1577-1389 and look for a way forward.

I'm a foreign care worker being treated unfairly. Care workers' rights are protected too. Consult 1350 and 1577-0071. See domestic-worker.

Take care

Taking a pension or bankbook "to manage it for them" can itself be abuse. Keep records of financial transactions. Where abuse is suspected, photographs of injuries with dates help any investigation.

Related

child-abuse-report · elderly-support · domestic-worker · welfare-application · legal-aid-overview

Source

Ministry of Health and Welfare, Korea Elder Protection Agency www.noinboho.or.kr / As of 2026-08