Title: "Domestic Violence in Later Life" Presenter: Candace J. Heisler cjheisler@AOL.com Learning Objectives: As a result of this presentation: 1. Participants will be able to identify at least 3 ways domestic violence in later life is different from domestic abuse in younger persons 2. Participants will be able to distinguish between power and control and caregiver stress and why this difference is important when working with victims 3. Participants will be able to list at least 5 barriers older victims, including those who have disabilities, face when seeking to live free of abuse 4. Participants will understand the importance of developing collaborative responses to abuse in later life 5. Purpose of Workshop: Participants will increase their understanding of the dynamics of domestic abuse when committed against the elderly, including those elderly who have disabilities . Abstract of Presentation: Older victims of domestic abuse remain a hidden and largely invisible population. Too often professionals and advocates fail to identify it as domestic violence, and as a result may fail to meet the victim's needs and offer effective interventions. This workshop will define abuse in later life, describe abuser tactics, and distinguish it from caregiver stress. Obstacles victims face to living free of abuse will be discussed. Interventions will be discussed, including the critical need to build a coordinated, multidisciplinary response to meet victim needs and enhance victim safety. Outline of Presentation I. Defining Abuse In Later Life A. Pattern of physically, sexually, psychologically, and financially abusive acts used by a perpetrator to gain power and control over the relationship B. Involves persons with trusted and on-going relationships 1. Includes spouses 2. Also may include family members and caregivers who may or may not be family members C. Role of disability 1. May create dependence 2. Harder to resist the abuse 3. Harder to get help II. Understanding the Tactics of Power and Control A. Power and Control Wheel for Abuse in Late Life B. Differences from domestic abuse in younger populations 1. Undermine strengths such as personal values, religious beliefs 2. Take advantage of dependencies by abuse and neglect including failure to meet basic needs, provide medication 3. Financial abuse may include denying an elder who wants to leave or complain income, medical care, and medication 4. Emotional abuse includes pet abuse and denial of contact with beloved family and friends III. Forms of Abuse in Later Life A. Domestic Violence grown old B. New relationship abuse C. Late onset that may be organic based violence and not domestic violence D. "Reverse" domestic violence in which the former victim now abuses or neglects the weaker former abuser E. Abuse by adult children and other caregivers IV. Barriers To Leaving An Abusive Relationship A. Cannot start over B. Financial issues including income support, housing C. Existing resources for victims of domestic violence may be inappropriate, such as shelters that may be inaccessible, programs may be ill suited to the elderly D. Medical needs E. Loss of contact with family as children may side with the abuser F. Cultural views G. Bad prior experience seeking help for abuse H. Cognitive limitations I. Male victims V. Building an Effective Response A. Must be community based and coordinated; no single organization can be effective acting alone 1. Must involve protective services, organizations and agencies serving persons who have disabilities, domestic violence and sexual assault networks 2. Legal Advocacy to assist with civil court orders and civil actions 3. Criminal Justice system should be involved in holding offenders accountable, seeking criminal court protective orders, seizing firearms where permitted by law, and sanctioning criminal acts 4. Safety planning is critical; best done by advocates 5. Restoring what has been taken from the victim is a further goal B. Meeting Victim Needs: Promising Practices 1. Support Groups 2. Specialized Victim Advocacy