Summary

The Swiss Federal Council adopted an impulse program for the prevention of violence against older adults on 20 March 2026, running from 2026 to 2030. The program aims to better protect older people from physical, psychological and financial violence as well as neglect. According to estimates, between 300,000 and 500,000 people aged 60 and over are affected annually. The Federal Office of Social Insurance coordinates implementation in collaboration with national aging organizations and other partners.

Persons

  • Glanzmann-Hunkeler (Parliamentarian, Motion 21.3715)

Topics

  • Violence prevention
  • Protection of older adults
  • Social security
  • Early detection
  • Quality of care

Clarus Lead

The Federal Council is implementing a four-year impulse program designed to systematically combat violence against older people. Relevance for decision-makers: With up to 500,000 affected persons annually, this is a mass phenomenon causing substantial costs to the health and social care system. The Federal Office of Social Insurance coordinates the measures, which are primarily implemented by national aging organizations. Initial activities will begin in the second half of 2026.

Detailed Summary

The program addresses a previously underexposed security risk: violence against older adults occurs predominantly in trust-based relationships – typically between caregivers and older people. Forms range from physical and psychological to financial exploitation as well as the failure to provide necessary support. Parliamentary Motion 21.3715 had mandated the Federal Council to develop the program.

The implementation strategy is based on three pillars: prevention through information, networking of specialists and awareness-raising and further training. Specifically, existing services will be made better known, stakeholders will be more strongly networked, and specialists will receive training. This is intended to ensure quality of care and promote dignified aging.

Fiscal pragmatism shapes implementation: given the tight federal budget, the program will be realized using existing instruments. Central to this are the aging organizations, which already receive financial assistance under Article 101 bis of the Federal Law on Old-Age and Survivors' Insurance (AHVL). The Federal Office of Social Insurance will assume overall coordination and regulate cooperation with cantons, other federal offices and partner organizations.

Key Messages

  • 300,000–500,000 older adults per year are affected by violence or neglect
  • Violence against older adults occurs primarily in care and nursing relationships
  • Program combines prevention, early detection and response
  • Implementation through national aging organizations with FSI coordination
  • No additional funds – program uses existing financing instruments

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence Quality: How were the estimates of 300,000–500,000 affected persons determined? What dark figure is assumed, and how valid are the underlying data sources?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: To what extent could coordination by the FSI and implementation by aging organizations that already receive financial assistance create incentives for over-diagnosis or resource concentration?

  3. Causality: Does the program address the causes of violence against older adults (stress among caregivers, financial hardship, mental illness), or is the focus exclusively on symptom detection?

  4. Implementation Risks: How will it be ensured that aging organizations can actually build new capacities for prevention and early detection without additional funds?

  5. Measurability: What indicators will be used to evaluate the effectiveness of the program by 2030?

  6. Legal Gaps: Are the existing adult protection laws sufficient to appropriately sanction identified cases of violence?

Bibliography

Primary Source: Prevention of Violence Against Older Adults: Federal Government Strengthens Protection of Older People – Press Release, Federal Council, 20.03.2026

Supplementary Sources:

  1. Motion Glanzmann-Hunkeler 21.3715
  2. Federal Office of Social Insurance (FSI) – Website "Preventing Violence Against Older Adults"
  3. Federal Law on Old-Age and Survivors' Insurance (AHVL), Article 101 bis

Verification Status: ✓ 20.03.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 20.03.2026