At Safe+Sound Somerset, we believe survivors—of all ages. Sadly, age matters. Older adults experiencing domestic and sexual violence are often invisible in conversations about safety, healing, and justice. As the nation’s population ages, the intersection of elder abuse with interpersonal violence (IPV), which includes domestic violence and sexual assault, demands urgent attention.
The Overlap of Elder Abuse and Domestic Violence
Elder abuse is defined as any intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or trusted person that causes harm or risk of harm to an older adult. 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ experience some form of elder abuse. In nursing homes, nearly 16% of residents report being abused. Nearly half of older adults with dementia experience abuse or neglect.
While elder abuse can occur in institutional settings, it often happens at home—making it a form of domestic violence when the perpetrator is a spouse, partner, adult child, or other family member.
Common examples of abusive behaviors against an elderly person may include:
- Isolation: Preventing contact with friends, family, or community, and taking away transportation or communication tools.
- Financial exploitation: Controlling access to money, stealing assets, or coercing financial decisions.
- Medical neglect or manipulation: Withholding medications, mismanaging care, or using health needs to exert control.
- Verbal degradation: Belittling, threatening, humiliating, or gaslighting the older adult.
- Physical intimidation: Using mobility aids or physical strength to instill fear or restrict movement.
These behaviors mirror the tactics seen in other forms of domestic violence but are often compounded by age-related vulnerabilities like physical frailty, cognitive decline, and dependence on caregivers.
Sexual Violence Against Older Adults
Sexual violence against older adults is often underreported and misunderstood. Survivors may be dismissed due to ageist assumptions or may lack the physical or cognitive ability to disclose what happened.
Older survivors are more likely to sustain serious physical injuries from sexual assault, and those injuries take longer to heal. Sexual violence includes any unwanted sexual contact, especially when the older adult is unable to give consent due to cognitive impairment or coercion.
What If Dementia Is Causing Violent Behavior?
This is a complex and sensitive issue. When someone with dementia becomes physically aggressive, it may be a symptom of their condition—not intentional abuse. However, the impact on the person being harmed is still real. In these cases, trauma-informed care must be paired with medical and behavioral support to protect everyone involved.
It’s important to distinguish between intentional abuse and behavior driven by cognitive decline, while still prioritizing safety and dignity. This may be even more difficult if there was a history of domestic violence in the relationship before the onset of the disease. If a caregiver is being harmed by a loved one with dementia, they deserve support and resources—just as survivors of IPV do. While there may be an overlap in the services, it’s important to find the intervention that best meets their individual needs.
Why This Matters for Survivor Services
Safe+Sound Somerset is committed to serving survivors across the lifespan. Our trauma-informed approach recognizes that older adults may need:
· Specialized counseling to address trauma and grief
· Legal advocacy for protection orders, guardianship, or financial exploitation
· Individualized safety planning that accounts for mobility, medical needs, and caregiving dynamics
· Case management that includes connections with additional support services
· Community education programs that provide community members the tools they need to recognize and respond to domestic and sexual violence against older adults.
If you or someone you know is experiencing abuse—at any age—contact our free and confidential 24/7 call and text helpline: 866-685-1122. We welcome survivors of all identities and backgrounds. Learn more at www.safe-sound.org.
Sources:
[1] https://www.seniorliving.org/research/elder-abuse-statistics/
[2] https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-elder-abuse/
[3] https://oaesv.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/oaesv-elderly-survivors.pdf
