Table of Contents

About This Course

1. Introduction to Elder Abuse
2. The Basics of Elder Abuse
3. Substance Use and Other Risk Factors
4. Screening and Assessment
5. Intervention and Treatment
6. Preventing Elder Abuse

Supplements
Case Studies
References
Resources

Out of the Shadows
Uncovering Substance Use and Elder Abuse

Consequences for Abusers

Psychological Consequences for Abusers

Caregiver depression has been linked to the presence of abuse when a family member (but not a spouse) has Alzheimer's disease. Some psychological problems among caregivers, such as emotional distress, mental illness, or substance abuse, often may precede the violence. ref

Increased Dependency

Researchers have studied the phenomenon of the adult offspring's abuse of the parent, followed by the parent's rejection, and then acceptance of the "child" back into the household in an unhealthy "web of interdependency." ref One study focused on adult children who abused their parents and suffered from emotional distress, mental illness, or alcoholism. The cycle of behavior began with excessive drinking by the adult child, followed by abusive behavior toward the parent. The abuse caused the victim to force the adult child from the household, but later, the parent accepted him or her back into the home. ref

Homicide-Suicide

A large number of homicide-suicides involve older married couples, typically with the man killing his wife and then taking his own life. At least half the perpetrators are depressed or have other undiagnosed psychiatric problems. In about 30 percent of these cases, there is a history of marital problems or domestic violence in the relationship. A common characteristic of these situations is the husband's perception of an unacceptable threat to the relationship -- such as a move to a nursing home, a real or perceived decline in health, or an increase in interdependency in the relationship. ref