An estimated one million older individuals are abused or neglected each year. Abuse may be physical, financial or emotional. Neglect is the withholding of needed care. Self-neglect occurs when an older person is unable to provide for her/his own care.

Domestic Violence against older adults is devastating to the victim, robbing her/him of health, dignity, and sometimes, life. Older adults suffer physical, sexual, emotional, and financial abuse at the hands of spouses, partners, their family and others. Yet, many times they are not aware that they can or should seek help. Sometimes, the professionals and agencies to whom they turn may not be aware of the many resources available to meet the sensitive needs of older battered adults.

Many older women face challenging family relationships. Husbands, partners, or adult children may tell them they cannot make their own decisions, such as where they can go or how they can spend their money. Some older women may be isolated from supportive family members and friends. Sometimes these women are afraid and feel they do not know what to do or where to turn.

Many women who are harmed by a family member look for ways to continue the relationship while trying to stop hurtful behaviors. Some older women choose to end the relationship by getting a divorce or legal separation. Fear, love, financial, legal and health concerns often figure into a woman’s decision to stay or leave. Each woman needs information to make decisions that are right for her. (This information is excerpted from the Financial Safety Planning for Older Women, published by the Wisconsin coalition Against Domestic Violence and Elder Law Center, 1998.)

For more info on elder abuse, visit www.mnall.org.