Unrecognized elder abuse victims. Older abused women

Many older women are being abused by the family members they love. Spouses, partners, or adult children can use physical, sexual, or emotional abuse as tactics to dominate and control their victims. Current responses by case managers do not address older abused women's needs for safety and support. Case managers who believe caregiver stress is the primary cause of elder abuse often do not assess domestic violence in later life. Services offered in cases of caregiver stress are significantly different than those recommended for domestic abuse. Offering inappropriate interventions can put older abused women in greater danger. This article will give an overview of elder abuse and specifically domestic abuse in later life. An empowerment model for working with victims, strategies for working with the abuser, and suggestions for developing a coordinated community response are also discussed.