Content starts here
CLOSE ×
Search
Popular Searches

Rolling Stones Presale

Games

Car rental

AARP daily Crossword Puzzle

Hotels with AARP discounts

Life Insurance

Suggested Links
Help Show me my account info Change my Address How do I contact AARP? Where is my membership card? How do I get a digital card?
Red Membership Card

AARP MEMBERSHIP

AARP Membership — $12 for your first year when you sign up for Automatic Renewal

Get instant access to members-only products, hundreds of discounts, a free second membership, and a subscription to AARP the Magazine. 

 

120x30-AARP-logo-red
Join
Renew
Enroll
Rejoin

AARP en Español

AARP AARP States Iowa Advocacy

Elder Abuse Law in Iowa

In 2022, the Iowa House and Senate unanimously passed critical legislation (SF 522) that makes elder abuse its own crime for the first time in Iowa. Governor Reynolds signed the bill into law on June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The law took effect July 1, 2022.

A Brief Overview of Iowa's New Elder Abuse Law

AARP Iowa's Anthony Carroll speaks with Chantelle Smith from the Iowa Attorney General's Office

This new law creates criminal sanctions for elder abuse and helps fix the existing gap in Iowa law enforcement and financial institutions’ tools to stop and prevent it. Iowa previously criminalized the abuse of dependent adults with caretakers, but that left huge gaps in criminal protections for other older Iowans.

The most reported form of elder abuse is financial exploitation, although it often occurs with other forms of emotional, physical or sexual abuse. Those who commit abuse can be strangers or, more commonly, trusted people such as family members. 

The law establishes:

  • New crime of elder abuse, including financial exploitation of an older individual, with penalties ranging from a serious misdemeanor to a felony.
  • Enhanced penalties for assault of an older individual and for theft against an older individual when the older individual is targeted because of their age.

In instances where abuse is occurring, it is important to know where to turn for help and assistance. A key resource in the fight against elder abuse are the six Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) located around the state. These six regional AAAs exist to support older Iowans and their caregivers. Learn more about your local AAA below:

AAA map.PNG
Map of Iowa's Six AAA Regions; Credit: Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Iowa Association of Area Agencies on Aging

Region 1: Elderbridge Area Agency on Aging

Region 2: Northeast Iowa Area Agency on Aging

Region 3: Aging Resources of Central Iowa

Region 4: Heritage Area Agency on Aging 

Region 5: Milestones Area Agency on Aging 

Region 6: Connections Area Agency on Aging

Contact information and more from your state office. Learn what we are doing to champion social change and help you live your best life.