Responses to Elder Domestic Abuse
How we view and label a problem impacts how we will respond to it. Although domestic violence and elder abuse both cause harm to elders, in the past, social service agencies and professionals have provided different remedies for each.

Domestic violence in which the victim is an impaired, elderly person, does constitute elder abuse. In addition, the term "domestic violence" might imply that there is always violence. In many cases of elder domestic violence the main form of abuse is psychological or emotional rather than physical. For this reason the terms "elder abuse", "domestic elder abuse" and "domestic violence" are used interchangeably throughout this manual and all relate to the mistreatment of elders, impaired or not.

Caregiver stress as a cause of elder abuse is frequently

confused with domestic violence in later life. However, caregiver stress does not originate from a belief system which makes it acceptable for one person to exert power and control over another. This distinction between domestic violence and elder abuse due to caregiver stress is important because there is a clear difference between the interventions professionals prescribe for each. However, it is not always easy to tell the difference, and abusers will often claim their actions are simply the result of caregiver stress to avoid the legal consequences of domestic violence.

Because elder abuse has been largely (often erroneously) defined as a problem resulting from the stresses of caring for the frail elderly, the social services prescribed as a remedy have concentrated on preventative efforts to relieve the caregiver’s stress. Too often, in cases of elder abuse, caseworkers concentrate on getting the caregiver manual assistance and respite, implying that if the caregiver’s burden is eased, the abuse will stop. In many cases of elder abuse, this is helpful, but the caregiver must also take responsibility for their actions, and find other ways to cope with stress and frustration. There is never an excuse for abusing another person, regardless of how much stress a caregiver is under.

Prescriptions such as respite care and home assistance will not help the elder victim of domestic violence. Domestic violence is not caused by stress, and therefore, stress relief will not end the violence. Domestic violence caseworkers prescribe very different remedies for victims, including:
     • Empowerment and self-determination
     • Support groups
     • Safety planning
     • Emergency shelter
     • Legal advocacy

All of the remedies are aimed at helping the elder victim escape the violence in their lives or live safely, as opposed to helping the perpetrator control themselves.

Because of the very different intervention strategies applied to each, it is dangerous for professionals to diagnose domestic violence as stress related elder abuse. No exact checklist exists to determine who is a batterer and who is a stressed caregiver, however, domestic abuse usually involves an ongoing pattern of abusive acts while stress related abuse is often a