Elder Abuse within the Family
Research suggests that certain groups of elders are more vulnerable to abuse than others, and that certain groups are more vulnerable to specific types of abuse. For example, victims of physical and psychological abuse are most likely to be married or living with a child. Victims of financial abuse are more often widowed and living alone. Elders who are neglected also tend to be widowed. If an elder is in poor health, is socially isolated, or has little social support, this increases her vulnerability for all types of abuse. We use the pronoun "her" because the number of female victims is much greater than the number of male victims.
Who are the abusers?
There are no characteristics that can reliably identify abusers. However, family members who have mental, emotional or substance abuse problems may be more likely to abuse an elder. Relatives or caregivers who are emotionally or financially dependent on the victim may also be at increased risk of abusing. The stress of caring for an elderly person can sometimes lead to neglect or abuse, especially if other contributing factors are present.
In addition, a history of domestic violence can result in the abuse of elderly family members. For example, in some cases, adults who were mistreated as children end up abusing their aging parents. However, it’s not always adult children who abuse. Sometimes, elder abuse is a continuation of an ongoing pattern of spouse abuse. Although the incidence of spouse abuse drops with age, spouses who batter do not necessarily stop just because they turn 60. In fact, research has found that more than one half of elders reporting abuse had been abused by their spouses. Many of the risk factors associated with spouse abuse in younger couples can also be seen in older couples. These include poverty, unemployment, alcohol and drug use, and attitudes that support the use of violence to solve problems.
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