What is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse is a term referring to any knowing, intentional, or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a serious risk of harm to a vulnerable (age 55 and older) adult. The specifics of abuse laws vary from state to state, but broadly defined abuse will include:

• Physical abuse
• Emotional abuse
• Sexual abuse
• Exploitation
• Neglect
• Abandonment

Domestic abuse in later life is a component of elder abuse. Like other forms of elder abuse, older women are victims of abuse by someone they know or love. Many older women’s partnerships are long-term, for example, marriages that have lasted over forty years or more. It is also not uncommon for older women to begin a new relationship, often following the death or divorce from a previous partner. The abuse may occur throughout the relationship (domestic violence grown old) or be a relatively new occurrence (late onset domestic violence).

Why do spouses and other family members, as well as strangers, hurt older women? Current research indicates that the most common reason for abuse in later life are power and control dynamics that are similar to the experiences of younger battered women. The abuser feels a sense of entitlement to use various forms of abuse to gain and maintain power and control over the victim. These abusers will use a pattern of coercive tactics and whatever methods necessary, including isolation, intimidation and threats, withholding food, medication and sleep, and physical and sexual abuse to maintain their control.

Because domestic and sexual abuse are a function of power and control, older, sometimes frail women, who often have little power and may be dependent on others for care, can be extremely vulnerable to all forms of abuse.

For additional information please see: 

• National Institute of Justice: Elder Sexual Abuse
  
• Elderly Victims of Sexual Abuse and their Offenders 
• International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse