Washington is reeling after Dr. Elaine Healy, a respected geriatrician, publicly referred former President Joe Biden to Delaware’s Adult Protective Services, alleging he may be a victim of elder abuse by those closest to him—including First Lady Jill Biden and key White House staff.

According to the New York Post, Dr. Healy claims that Biden’s recent diagnosis of advanced prostate cancer, reports of cognitive decline, and troubling revelations from new books and legal interviews point to something far darker than simple political mismanagement.

She argues these are classic warning signals of elder abuse and that powerful figures may have exploited Biden for personal and political gain. Dr. Healy’s comments have ignited a firestorm, especially among conservatives and Republicans who have long questioned Biden's health and fitness for office. The allegations raise profound questions about the responsibility of caregivers, the duty of medical professionals, and the integrity of those who served alongside Biden during his presidency.

Caregivers Under Fire

Dr. Healy’s referral to Delaware authorities specifically names Jill Biden, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, and former chief of staff Jeffrey Zients as possible perpetrators of elder abuse, suggesting their actions—or inactions—placed the former president at risk. She points to the alarming speed of Biden’s physical and mental decline, as well as the apparent failure to diagnose his cancer at an earlier, more treatable stage.

Healy argues that elder abuse includes more than just physical harm. She highlights non-violent behaviors such as “deprivation of food, causing weight loss, or intimidation, causing social withdrawal and personality changes,” which can be just as damaging as physical violence. Of particular concern, she says, is the idea of “exploitation for financial, personal or political gain”—a charge leveled squarely at Biden’s inner circle.

Critics of Jill Biden question her insistence that her husband continues his political career despite his declining health. Healy asks, “What was behind her insistence that he run for office when she, above all others, had to be aware of his failing cognitive capacities and declining physical health?” For many, this question cuts to the heart of the matter: was Biden’s well-being sacrificed for political ambition?

Medical Ethics Questioned

Medical professionals are not spared Dr. Healy’s scrutiny. She singles out Dr. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s physician, for either failing to recognize the president’s deteriorating condition or actively participating in a cover-up. According to Healy, O’Connor’s decision to issue a clean bill of health to a man allegedly suffering from dementia defies professional standards and may have directly contributed to the current crisis.

Healy raises the issue of missed cancer diagnoses, noting that “How could any clinician fail to diagnose prostate cancer when it was still in an early, potentially curable stage?” The suggestion is that medical neglect or willful blindness allowed Biden’s cancer to progress unchecked, with devastating consequences.

Staffers are also implicated in the scandal. Reports that Biden’s autopen was used by aides to sign official documents—including presidential pardons—have raised serious legal and ethical questions. Healy argues that such actions constitute elder abuse if Biden lacked the capacity to understand or approve these decisions, referencing Justice Department guidelines on the misuse of a senior’s signature for transactions they do not comprehend.

Legal and Political Ramifications

The allegations have not gone unnoticed by legal experts. Dr. Healy points out that Special Counsel Robert Hur, who interviewed Biden in 2023, chose not to press criminal charges because he found Biden to be “a sympathetic, well-meaning elderly man with a poor memory.” This assessment, she suggests, should have triggered greater concern and a formal investigation into possible undue influence.

The American Bar Association recognizes “undue influence” as a key component of elder abuse, defined by the intentional use of social influence, deception, or manipulation to control another’s decisions. Healy accuses Hur of failing to sound the alarm despite having concrete evidence that “the complex orders and documents being issued in the president’s name exceeded his cognitive capabilities.”

Even as critics demand accountability, supporters of Biden and his team argue that the former president was always surrounded by trusted advisors and family members who acted in his best interests. They reject the characterization of their actions as abusive, insisting that any decisions made were guided by love, loyalty, and a desire to serve the country.

Delaware Response Will Be Key

As the controversy unfolds, all eyes are on Delaware’s Adult Protective Services—the agency now tasked with investigating Dr. Healy’s allegations. The decision will have significant implications not only for Joe Biden and his family but also for the standards by which America judges the treatment of its most prominent senior citizens.

Dr. Healy, a practicing geriatrician and certified nursing home medical director, has made it clear that she believes the evidence warrants serious scrutiny. She concluded her public statement by urging Delaware officials to “function as it should—and give the former president the attention and scrutiny his tragic situation deserves.”

The outcome of this investigation could reshape public expectations about the responsibilities of caregivers, medical professionals, and political staff. For many Americans, the case will serve as a litmus test for how the nation defends its most vulnerable—even when they occupy the highest office in the land.