Elderly Navajo people and their families were surveyed to discover the extent and types of elder abuse among them. Neglect was the most prominent type of abuse. What appeared to be economic exploitation was also quite prevalent, but was in part defined by them as their cultural privilege and duty to share with their families. Abuse tended to be especially associated with suddenness of becoming dependent, having mental problems, family crises due to suddenly having caregiving responsibilities for which they were unprepared and personal problems of primary caregivers.