Elder abuse or abuse of a disabled adult is usually defined as the physical or psychological mistreatment of a senior or disabled adult, and can include taking financial advantage of, or neglecting the care of a senior (age 65 or older) or disabled adult (anyone 18 or older with a physical or mental disability). A National Elder Abuse Incidence Study suggested that more than 500,000 Americans aged 60 and over were victims of domestic abuse in 1996. This study also found that only 16 percent of the abusive situations are referred for help, while 84 percent remain hidden. While a couple of studies estimate that between three percent and five percent of the elderly population have been abused, the Senate Special Committee on Aging estimates that there may be as many as five million victims every year. Victims of elder abuse are often embarrassed to reveal that relatives or caregivers are abusing them. Victims also fear retaliation from the abuse or being placed in an institution. Sometimes the abuse is accompanied by threats from the perpetrators so the victim is fearful of reporting the crime.