The broad topic of elder abuse includes many forms of exploitation, consumer fraud, physical harm, and emotional mistreatment. The abuse might be perpetrated by a family member, employee, business, service provider, or total stranger. It might arise from intentional acts, obliviousness to an elderly person's limitations and circumstances, or sins of omission. Because of all of these variables, as well as matters such as when and where it happens, the law dealing with elder abuse has both civil and criminal facets.