Older women, domestic violence, and elder abuse: a review of commonalities, differences, and shared approaches

Elder abuse and neglect have increasingly become issues of concern. Older women are the majority of older people who experience abuse, yet there have been few attempts to adequately consider this. Consideration of the potential links between domestic violence and elder abuse is appropriate. This article provides an overview of knowledge about elder abuse and neglect and then moves to examine factors from domestic violence. An exploration, through review, of the similarities and differences between these approaches will assist in determining relative strengths and weaknesses. This will then contribute towards greater understanding of the linked phenomena of elder abuse and neglect and assist towards both protection and prevention of abuse. [Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: Website: [c] 2003 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.] KEYWORDS. Elder abuse, gender, domestic violence, review, similarities, differences, implications