This section presents resources and research articles that offer an overview of abuse in later life and elder abuse, including domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, and stalking. The section on cultural considerations lists some selected materials representing diverse perspectives on elder abuse.
Abuse in Later Life & Elder Abuse Information Sheets
This series of information sheets provide data and resources to service providers and justice professionals who may work with older victims.
Abuse in Later Life Wheel
This abuse in later life power and control wheel describes different types of abuses that occur in later life and tactics used by abusers to exercise power and control over their victims. This wheel was developed in consultation with survivors of later life abuse.
Elder Abuse: A Women's Issue
This report brings together experts and organizations that work to combat the problem of elder abuse. Through their voices, we learn about the many dimensions of and complexities surrounding elder abuse, how it affects women in a disproportionate manner, and we seek to find effective solutions.
Policy Implications of Recognizing that Caregiver Stress is Not the Primary Cause of Elder Abuse
Studies show the causes of elder abuse to be wide-ranging, and not necessarily an outcome of caregiver stress. This paper discusses how seeing caregiver stress as a primary cause of abuse has unintended and detrimental consequences that affect the efforts to end this widespread problem.
Frequently Asked Questions on Abuse in Later Life
This page answers frequently asked questions about abuse in later life. It describes the types of abuse, causes of abuse, and actions to take if a person experiences abuse or if person suspects abuse on other people.
Sexual Violence in Later Life: Fact Sheet
Sexual violence can affect individuals across the life span, including people in later life. This two page document offers information concerning sexual abuse in later life, including barriers to response and prevention, victims and perpetrators.
Sexual Abuse in Later Life
To raise awareness and provide guidance to professionals, this article addresses sexual assault in later life and specifically focuses on victimization of elders that occurs in the context of intimate partner violence, incest, and care facilities.
Understanding Elder Abuse: New Directions for Developing Theories of Elder Abuse Occurring in Domestic Settings
This paper discusses theory-based explanations of what causes elder abuse and how best to respond to it.
Detecting, Addressing and Preventing Elder Abuse in Residential Care Facilities
This study focused on detection, investigation, and resolution of elder abuse and neglect complaints in what are known as residential care facilities (RCFs).
Domestic Violence Against Older Women: Final Technical Report
This qualitative study report examines domestic violence in older women. The report presents older women's definition of domestic violence, their views about causes, reporting, interventions, and consequences for perpetrators, and barriers to help seeking.
Financial Abuse of Elderly People vs. Other Forms of Elder Abuse: Assessing Their Dynamics, Risk Factors, and Society’s Responslderly People vs. Other Forms of Elder Abuse: Assessing Their Dynamics, Risk Factors, and Societys Response
The purpose of this study was to examine the dynamics and societal response to financial exploitation that did not co-occur with other forms of elder abuse and compare it to financial exploitations that did occur with other forms of elder abuse, including physical abuse and neglect.
Prevalence and Correlates of Emotional, Physical, Sexual, and Financial Abuse and Potential Neglect in the United States: The National Elder Mistreatment Study
Findings of this nationally representative study showed that more than one in ten respondents experienced some type of abuse or potential neglect in the past year.
National Elder Mistreatment Study
Findings of this nationally representative study showed that more than one in ten respondents experienced some type of abuse or potential neglect in the past year.
A Statewide Profile of Abuse of Older Women and the Criminal Justice Response
This statewide study in Rhode Island of domestic violence in older women and the response of state authorities found a relatively larger proportion of intimate partner abuse than previously found in adult protective service surveys.
Sexual Violence in Later Life: Research Brief
This brief reviews research on risk and protective factors related to sexual violence in later life.
Under the Radar: New York State Elder Abuse Prevalence Study Self-Reported Prevalence and Documented Case Surveys
In this comprehensive study researchers studied the prevalence and incidence of various forms of elder abuse through direct communication with older New Yorkers over 60 years of age and the number of elder abuse cases coming to the attention of all agencies and programs responsible for responding to elder abuse in New York State.
Violent Crime against the Elderly Reported by Law Enforcement in Michigan, 2005-2009
This report presents information about criminal victimization and incidents of violent victimization of persons age 65 or older known to law enforcement in Michigan.
Gen Silent is the critically-acclaimed documentary from filmmaker Stu Maddux that asks six LGBT seniors if they will hide their friends, their spouses—their entire lives in order to survive in the care system. Their surprising decisions are captured through intimate access to their day-to-day lives over the course of a year.
Reclaiming What is Sacred: Addressing Harm to Indigenous Elders and Developing a Tribal response to Abuse in Later Life
Lifetime Spiral of Gender Violence
Elder Abuse Fact Sheets
Elder abuse affects seniors across all socio-economic groups, cultures, and races. Latin@ communities are no exception. Abuse is more than just physical harm. Fact sheets address the topics of family and friends, older adults, and senior centers.
Elder Abuse in Communities of Color
This "Facts & Stats Collection" paper describes specific issues and distinguishing dynamics that confront older women of color, highlighting types of abuse and warning signs. Resources for additional information are provided.
Inclusive Questions for Older Adults: A Practical Guide To Collecting Data on Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
Inclusive Services for LGBT Older Adults: A Practical Guide To Creating Welcoming Agencies
Introduction to Cultural Competency
This webpage highlights the importance of cultural sensitivity when working with older persons and describes the barriers faced by older Asian persons in seeking help for abuse, working with law enforcement, and seeking court protections.
Mistreatment of Asian Pacific Islander (API) Elders
Mistreatment of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender (LGBT) Elders
This research brief synthesizes the latest available information and research relating to the mistreatment of LGBT elders. Information is provided on the occurrence of abuse, isolation as a risk factor, issues affecting help seeking, and tips for working with LGBT elders.
Mistreatment of Latino Elders
Outing Age 2010: Public Policy Issues Affecting Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender (LGBT) Elders
Offers information about the state of LGBT older persons, their strengths and vulnerabilities, barriers faced when accessing services, including services for domestic violence, and progress in public policies that aim to serve LGBT older persons.
Preventing and Responding to Abuse of Elders in Indian Country
This document provides an overview of the problem of elder abuse among the Native American population. Challenges to providing services and current initiatives are also discussed.
A Review of the Literature: Elder Abuse in Indian County - Research, Policy, and Practice
This document describes the nature and extent of elder abuse in Indian country, what is being done about it, and identifies promising approaches and practices for addressing the problem.
Using Your Tribal Values To Develop Elder Protection Code: A Step-by-Step Guide for Communities
The purpose of this workbook is to protect elders from abuse in their communities. This workbook proposes that each community develop a process to address the particular elder protection needs within that community.