Let's Talk about Abuse in Later Life
Abuse in later life can be difficult to identify and respond to given cultural stigma and systemic ageism. The complexities of aging, health, family dynamics, and power and control all serve to make this issue pervasive, hidden, and difficult to navigate. One of the first steps is awareness and communication, so let’s talk about it.
This month, we created a complication of recent resources and trainings centered around abuse in later life, including how to identify and respond as advocates. As always, please don’t hesitate to contact us if you’re looking for more!
An overview of elder abuse: A growing problem
June 2023
National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life
This document overviews elder abuse, impacts, and prevalence, discusses dynamics and forms of elder abuse, lists signs and symptoms of harm, and explains risk factors for both victims and perpetrators.
Responding to Housing Insecurity/Homelessness Issues for Indigenous Elders who are Victims of Domestic Violence
June 2022
National Indigenous Women’s Resource Center
“Learn more about responding to the needs of our elders who are experiencing housing insecurity and homelessness and what can be done. In recent years, the number of homeless elders is rapidly increasing. High rates of inflation, rising rents, the housing industry, real estate markets and COVID have all contributed to this increase.”
Mistreatment of Adults with Disabilities
March 2022
National Center on Elder Abuse
“This brief addresses the intersection of adults with disabilities and elder mistreatment. Information is provided on risk factors, national survey findings, intimate partner violence, adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, barriers to reporting and help-seeking, and recommendations for intervention.”
Responding to Elder Abuse Victims with Alzheimer’s Disease or Other Dementias
May 2019
Department of Justice
Although geared towards law enforcement, this webinar has important and relevant information that victim advocates can use to better understand working with survivors who have dementia and Alzheimer’s disease. This webinar overviews Alzheimer’s and its progression, stigma related to the disease, common safety concerns, working with caregivers, suggestions for interacting with those who have Alzheimer’s disease, and more.
LGBTQ+ Aging in Rural Environments
May 2025
SAGE
This document highlights key issues affecting the quality of life, health, and well-being of older LGBTQ+ adults who live in rural places. It discusses in detail housing and aging in place within the rural context. It offers key recommendations and resources for building more aging-friendly communities.
Access this document in English and in Spanish
What Hotline Workers Need to Know About Elder Abuse
January 2018
Department of Justice
This webinar for victim services hotline advocates talks about the types of elder abuse, the power and control wheel specific to abuse in later life, ageism, mandatory reporting, special considerations and concerns for those in rural areas and LGBTQ+ elders, safety planning, tips specific to hotline work, case studies, and more.
Elder Financial Exploitation and the Criminal Justice System
March 2024
Department of Justice
This webinar, presented jointly by a law enforcement officer and a prosecutor, talks about barriers to reporting financial exploitation for elders, risk factors, examples of signs that they’ve seen in financial exploitation cases with elders, ideas for supporting elders and preventing abuse, and offers suggestions for how to navigate the law and legal system in these cases.
Looking for more resources for preventing and addressing abuse in later life?
Looking for more resources for preventing and addressing abuse in later life?
Check out last year’s compilation of resources: “Responding to Abuse in Later Life”