Elder Abuse Scope
About the Program
About our Partners
About the Issue
Best Practices
Legal Issues
Weaving the Web Conference report
Resources
Related links
FAQ's
Bibliographies
Resources on Elder Abuse in general
Recent Research
Definitions
EWA Newsletter on Older Woman Abuse
Recommended Articles on Abuse of Older Women in Intimate Relationships
Prepared by Jill Hightower (December 2003)
For the Weaving the Web Conference
Drake, V. & Freed, P.
Research Applications: Domestic Violence in the Elderly
Geriatric Nursing; Vol. 19 (3), 165-167; 1998
This article discusses domestic violence as it may present itself in the lives of elderly women and the role that home care nurses can play in helping victims of abuse. Abuse at the hands of a lifelong spouse or a relatively new companion can take many forms and be defined in numerous ways. Examples of abuse are reported and strategies for detection and intervention in abusive situations are presented. The situational challenges, responsibilities, and limitations that home care nurses face are discussed with regard to domestic violence. http://www.jrf.org.uk/knowledge/findings/socialcare/5100.asp
National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
Domestic Violence
NEXUS (online publication of the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse); circa 1999
http://www.preventelderabuse.org/elderabuse/domestic.html
This brief article provides information regarding intimate partner violence involving older women. Three categories of domestic violence in later life are described: domestic violence grown old, late onset domestic violence triggered by events such as disability or changing family dynamics, and the development of new relationships with abusive partners. A brief bibliography and resource list is included.
Penhale, B.
Bruises on the Soul: Older Women, Domestic Violence, and Elder Abuse
Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect; Vol. 11 (1), 1-22; 1999
A general examination of the abuse of older women is presented. Examples are drawn from six cases undertaken by the author as a social work practitioner and manager in the United Kingdom . All six cases involve women over the age of eighty and are assessed with regard to type of abuse, relationship and sex of abuser, risk factors, as well as types of intervention employed. The focus of the article is to increase understanding of abuse and specific abusive situations and provide insights that may be used to reduce and prevent incidences of abuse.
Hightower, J., Smith, M.J., Ward-Hall, C., and Hightower, H.
Meeting the Needs of Abused Older Women? A British Columbia and Yukon Transition House Survey
Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect; Vol. 11 (4), 39-57; 1999
Results of a survey of domestic violence services in British Columbia and the Yukon are presented with regard to the services they provide to women between the ages 50-59 and to women over 60. Results suggest that older victims of violence are more often categorized as victims of elder abuse than victims of family violence. The needs of these older victims of family violence are not often met by social and health agencies alone and better interaction is needed between these agencies and providers of support and advocacy for abused women.
Vinton, L.
Working with Abused Older Women from a Feminist Perspective
Journal of Women and Aging; Vol. 11 (2/3), 85-100; 1999
Co-published simultaneously in Fundamentals of Feminist Gerontology, Garner, J.D., ed.; Haworth Press, Inc., 1999
This article discusses how the public, professional helpers, and women themselves view elder abuse victims, as well as the impact that labeling has on assessment and treatment. The prevalence of domestic elder violence is discussed. Ageism and sexism in relation to the victimization of older women is covered, as are national, state, and local prevention efforts. A number of recommendations for working with these women, individually and within agency settings, are outlined.
Eisdorfer, C. & Cohen, D.
Homicide-Suicides in Older Persons: Acts of Violence Against Women
Paper prepared for the roundtable discussion of the Elder Justice: Medical Forensic Issues Concerning Abuse and Neglect; Washington , D.C. ; October 18, 2000
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/nij/elderjust/index.html
In this paper, the authors review their findings on homicide-suicides among couples aged 55 and older. The research presented indicates that most older women are unaware victims, not willing partners in a death pact. They discuss the subtypes of perpetrators; half can be categorized as dependent-protective subtype, one-third can be categorized as aggressive subtype wherein there is a history of physical and/or verbal conflict, and twenty percent can be categorized as the symbiotic subtype. A common risk factor is undetected, untreated depression in the perpetrator and therefore the authors urge all health care professionals, particularly primary care physicians, to be alert to indicators of depression in caregivers as well as patients. (Note: This entire report is accessible online at the above web address.)
Phillips, L.
Domestic Violence and Aging Women
Geriatric Nursing; Vol. 21 (4), 188-195; 2000
This article addresses intimate partner violence among older women and also examines the dynamics of domestic violence against older female caregivers. Older battered women appear more inclined to view abusive behaviors as normal, and therefore acceptable, thus making identification and reporting of abuse more difficult. The author's research indicates that neither cognitive status nor abuse by caregivers appears linked to abuse of aging caregivers. Rather, it is more likely a continuation of long-standing abuse or resentment. Specific guidelines are provided so that nurses can enhance their ability to assess, refer and assist these patients. (Note: This article includes a CE test with instructions for filing.)
Osgood, N. & Manetta, A.
Abuse and Suicidal Issues in Older Women
Omega; Vol. 42 (1), 71-81; 2000-2001
Abuse crisis hotlines do not typically assess for depression and suicidality, and suicide hotlines do not typically assess for histories of abuse. This study addresses the link between suicidal issues and histories of abuse. The hospital charts of 92 women, aged 55 and older, who were discharged from two psychiatric hospitals and one medical center in central Virginia between October 1994 and August 1996 were examined for information regarding suicidal ideation and behaviors and past or current abuse (childhood abuse, rape and battering). There were a significantly higher number of women experiencing suicidal issues who had experienced past or ongoing abuse. Social workers, counselors and other crisis intervention professionals are urged to assess abuse victims for depression and suicidality and to assess depressed clients for histories of abuse. A number of screening tools for both abuse and depression are identified
Hightower, J., Smith, M. & Hightower, H.
Silent and Invisible - A Report on Abuse and Violence in the Lives of Older Women in British Columbia and Yukon
B.C./Yukon Society of Transition Houses, Vancouver, B.C.; 2001
This Canadian research project examines the presence and impact of violence in women age 50 and older in British Columbia. The study began in 1998, in response to the growing awareness that older women in need of transitional housing, as a result of abusive situations, had few resources available. The major findings indicate that women over age 50 appear underserved through women's shelters, and women's health and social service providers point out that older battered women often face poverty, ageism, age-related illnesses and isolation in addition to the abuse. The project involved public awareness and outreach campaigns, surveys of transition houses, focus groups of staff and volunteers, and combined quantitative and qualitative data. Sixty-four women, including First Nations individuals and women from other cultures, shared their personal histories of domestic violence. Recommendations generated throughout this process are presented in four areas: policy, training, research and development, and community development. (Note: To order, contact BC/Yukon Society of Transition Houses, Suite 507 , 475 Howe St. , Vancouver , BC V6C 2B3 , telephone 604 669-6943. Price: $20.00 Canadian, plus s/h.)
Brandl, B. & Horan, D.
Domestic Violence in Later Life: An Overview for Health Care Providers
Women & Health; Vol. 35 (2/3), 41-54; 2002
Co-published simultaneously in Domestic Violence and Health Care: Policies and Prevention; Reyes, C., Rudman, W. and Hewitt, C., eds.; The Haworth Medical Press, Inc.; 2002
This overview was prepared to assist health care professionals in detecting domestic violence in older women. Universal screening of all female patients over age 60 and those with disabilities is encouraged and combines an approach of assessing for medical indicators as well as interviewing patients regarding lifestyle and family history of conflict and violence. The authors discuss issues of competency, documentation (written and photographic), confidentiality, safety planning, referral and reporting, and support. In particular, the authors caution against the following: blaming the victim; prescribing anti-depressants without first conducting a thorough abuse assessment; recommending family or marital counseling without treatment for the batterer; colluding with the abuser; and minimizing the dangerousness for the victim or health care professional when help is offered.
Two other web sites of bibliography resources are:
http://www.onpea.org/Main/Resources/ElderAbuseBibliograpy.pdf
http://www.onpea.org/Main/Resources/ElderAbuseBibliograpy.pdf
back to the top |
