Resources are listed alphabetically by topic area. Please click on a topic area below for more details.

Publications

Abuse in Later Life and Elder Abuse
Resource Materials
Webinars
  • World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2023 — Abuse in Later Life on the Radar: Funding a Collaborative Approach for the Support of Older Survivors
    On June 20, 2023, Martie Washington, Abuse in Later Life Program Coordinator at the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL), Shelly Carlson, Multidisciplinary Teams Projects Manager at the Minnesota Elder Justice Center, and Krista L. Martinez, Chief Deputy Commonwealth’s Attorney at the Office of the Norfolk Virginia Commonwealth’s Attorney joined Janice Green, OVW Senior Program Specialist, for a webinar that offered a foundational understanding of abuse in later life and discussed the OVW Abuse in Later Life Grant Program. We are pleased to offer a recording of this webinar, along with a PDF of the slides, and a related list of resources.

 

Advocacy
Resource Materials

Working with Older Survivors of Abuse: A Toolkit for Advocates — as part of our shared mission to enhance the safety and quality of life of victims across the lifespan, NCALL and OVW have worked with advocates throughout the United States exploring how to better meet the needs of older survivors of abuse. Since 1999, NCALL and OVW have talked with older victims and professionals in the field, conducted listening sessions with subject matter experts, reviewed the literature and facilitated trainings. From this process, the Working with Older Survivors of Abuse: A Toolkit for Advocates was created. This toolkit includes Working with Older Survivors of Abuse: A Framework for Advocates and the Abuse in Later Life Education Series for Advocates.

  • Working with Older Survivors of Abuse: A Framework for Advocates — this summary report describes seven guiding principles with minimum guidelines and practical strategies for domestic and sexual violence advocates and programs to consider when working with older survivors. To view this resource with captioned videos, please click here.
  • The Abuse in Later Life Education Series for Advocates consists of 20 instructional video clips featuring national experts discussing key topics advocates encounter when serving older survivors. The training modules are stand-alone videos, each less than 30 minutes in length.  Please note, if you choose to view the modules as a series some content may be repetitive.  A worksheet accompanies each module with links to additional resources and questions for advocates and programs to consider as they incorporate key content into their practice. For your convenience, NCALL has created a chart individuals can use to track which modules they have watched. The document contains the module title, information on the presenters, the length of each recorded module, and space to write the date the module was watched. There is no cost to view these modules.

The Abuse in Later Life Education Series for Advocates was supported by Grant No. 2016-TA-AX-K071 awarded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, findings, conclusions, and recommendations expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Department of Justice, Office on Violence Against Women. 

MODULE 1: Overview

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Define why advocates must address abuse in later life
  • Identify NCALL resources for advocates on working with older survivors

Module includes:

MODULE 2: Defining Elder Abuse & Abuse in Later Life

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Define elder abuse and abuse in later life

Module includes:

Lois, survivor: image of older woman wearing eyeglasses, teal shirt

MODULE 3: Intimate Partner Violence in Later Life

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Define intimate partner violence in later life
  • Recognize that a significant portion of elder abuse cases involve female victims with spouses as perpetrators
  • Describe power and control tactics in abuse in later life

Module includes:

Sue Hall Dreher: image of woman wearing red eyeglasses

MODULE 4: Sexual Abuse in Later Life

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Define sexual abuse in later life
  • Recognize unique issues for older victims

Module includes:

MODULE 5: Stalking in Later Life

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Describe in later life
  • Explore some of the unique issues for older victims of stalking
  • Recognize technology can be used in stalking in later life

Module includes:

Anne, Survivor: older woman wearing eyeglasses, with short gray hair and a floral blouse

MODULE 6: Economic Abuse & Financial Exploitation in Later Life

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Define and identify indicators of economic abuse in the context of intimate partner violence
  • Define and identify indicators of financial exploitation by family members, trusted others, or strangers
  • Identify resources to assist older victims who have experienced economic abuse or financial exploitation

Module includes:

Ricker Hamilton, Maine Department of Health & Human Services: man with short gray hair, speaking

MODULE 7: Neglect, Self-Neglect & the Role of APS

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Define neglect and self-neglect Identify indicators of neglect Initiate contact with adult protective services and other professionals when appropriate

Module includes:

Bonnie Brandl, National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life: woman with shoulder length blonde hair, speaking

MODULE 8: Power and Control Tactics & the Role of Caregiver Stress

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Identify the dynamics of power & control and/or entitlement in abuse in later life relationships
  • Explore additional scenarios where harm may occur in relationships
  • Clarify the relationship between caregiver stress and abuse

Module includes:

Ann Turner, National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life: older woman with curly brown hair, speaking

MODULE 9: Victim-Defined Advocacy

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Define victim-defined advocacy for older survivors
  • Provide strength-based support to older survivors of abuse
  • Practice respectful, effective communication when working with older victims

Module includes:

Amy Judy: woman with head tilted, speaking

MODULE 10: Trauma & Older Survivors

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Define individual and historical trauma
  • Understand the influence of trauma on older survivors

Module includes:

Latrice Hogan, consultant: woman with shoulder length brown hair, speaking

MODULE 11: Providing Trauma-Informed Advocacy for Older Survivors

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Identify the effects of trauma on trauma survivors
  • Provide trauma-informed advocacy when working with older survivors

Module includes:

Alicia Aiken, The Confidentiality Institute: woman with shoulder length red hair, speaking

MODULE 12: Mandatory Reporting

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Define the relationship between privacy, confidentiality, and mandatory reporting
  • Determine whether or not you are a mandatory reporter and your legal obligations
  • Develop policies and practices to address mandatory reporting that minimize any unintended consequences to victims and promote autonomy and safety

Module includes:

Anne Menard, National Resource Center on Domestic Violence: woman with short, gray curly hair and eyeglasses, speaking

MODULE 13: Elder-Informed Victim Services

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Recognize the importance of including elder voices in designing programming and policy
  • Utilize the tools and strategies needed to implement inclusive, elder-informed programs and policies

Module includes:

Alice Ghareib, DOVES Program, Area Agency on Aging woman with dark, shoulder length hair, speaking

MODULE 14: Support Groups for Older Survivors

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Identify why support groups are important for older survivors
  • Apply survivor centered practices when planning & designing support group practices
  • Develop an effective outreach plan to encourage attendance

Module includes:

Rebecca Henry, American Bar Association Commission on Domestic and Sexual Violence: woman with short brown hair, looking forward

MODULE 15: Powers of Attorney and Guardianship

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Identify and describe documents and processes that designate a substitute decision maker to act on an older survivor’s
    behalf
  • Recognize the warning signs of abuse by a substitute decision maker
  • Identify national and local legal resources available to address power of attorney and guardianship concerns

Module includes:

Bonnie Brandl, National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life: woman with shoulder length blonde hair, speaking

MODULE 16: Policies to Enhance Safety for Older Survivors

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Recognize unique role advocates play in providing services to older adults
  • Identify barriers to common policies utilized by direct service Domestic Violence and Sexual
  • Assault victim service agencies
  • Design agency policies that better meet the needs of older survivors

Module includes:

MODULE 17: Advancing Equity for Older Victims

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Define equity
  • Describe barriers to equity in services and programs
  • Identify strategies to promote equity for older survivors

Module includes:

Juanita Davis, NCALL: woman wearing eyeglasses, short curly hair, speaking

MODULE 18: Collaboration—Making It Work For You

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Identify the benefits of collaboration
  • Distinguish the types of collaborative groups
  • Recognize the issues and challenges to collaboration

Module includes:

Lisa Furr, NCALL: woman wearing eyeglasses, short brown hair, speaking

MODULE 19: Increasing Awareness of Abuse in Later Life

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Recognize some of the opportunities to raise awareness of elder abuse and abuse in later life
  • Find or create awareness materials that are relevant and accessible to older survivors of abuse in your community and the professionals who work with older survivors

Module includes:

Alicia Aiken, The Confidentiality Institute: woman with shoulder length red hair, speaking

Module 20: Working with Survivors Who Have Guardians

As a result of this training, participants will be better able to:

  • Describe the basic concept of guardianships
  • Determine their ability to provide services to an older survivor who has a guardian, and
  • Provide services to a survivor in accordance with local laws and the terms of that survivor’s guardianship.

Module includes:

African American Community
Resource Materials

Increasing Access to Healing coverIncreasing Access to Healing Services and Just Outcomes for Older African American Crime Survivors
Older African Americans experience crime and violence at the intersections of race, age, class, and other identities. Systemic and institutional challenges create barriers for older African American survivors seeking services and supports to heal from harm. This toolkit aims to equip victim services providers and criminal justice systems stakeholders with information and practical strategies to enhance their capacity to identify, reach, and serve older African American victims. The toolkit includes a guide with five content modules, video clips, and reflection questions designed to help readers synthesize the key points and explore how the strategies offered can be applied in their work.  It also offers a workbook with questions for users to reflect on the topics explored in the modules.

Collaborating for Justice coverCollaborating for Justice for Older African Americans Guide
Older African Americans affected by elder abuse deserve support and services that account for their cultural, social, and historical context. One of the most effective ways to do this is by offering culturally-relevant programming and by partnering with culturally-specific organizations. Currently, community partnerships to address elder abuse struggle to meaningfully engage culturally-specific programs, limiting their effectiveness for older African Americans.

This resource aims to equip professionals working with older adults to build stronger and more equitable collaborations with the African American community and culturally-specific programs.

Components of this resource include:

  • A Report on the importance of culturally-specific programs, barriers to collaboration, and guiding principles and associated strategies for building equitable partnerships.
  • A Conversation Guide offering guidelines for facilitating a discussion with your elder justice community coordination team on equitable engagement, four discussion prompts, and resources to further your learning.
  • A Community Forum Toolkit designed to equip elder justice teams with resources to bring together partners working with and on behalf of older African Americans to develop a shared understanding of the community efforts already occurring and opportunities to further advance elder justice for the African American community. The toolkit includes a Facilitator Guide, sample agendas, and a sample PowerPoint template.

Webinars

Collaborating for Justice three-part webinar series offered in March and April of 2024.

  • Webinar 1: Introduction to Collaborating for Justice – This webinar further introduces the guide and discusses the need for culturally-specific organizations.
  • Webinar 2: Guiding Principles of Equitable Collaboration – This webinar elaborates on the guiding principles of equitable collaboration.
  • Webinar 3: In conversation about Collaborating for Justice – This webinar features a conversation with culturally-specific program leaders, Antonia Norton of The Asha Project (Milwaukee, WI), Kalimah Johnson of The SASHA Center (Detroit, MI), and Dr. Patricia Davenport of Our House (Greenville, MS), about their experience and insights on equitable partnership development.
Civil Legal Remedies
Webinars
Collaboration & Coordinated Community Response
Resource Materials

Collaborating for Justice coverCollaborating for Justice for Older African Americans Guide
Older African Americans affected by elder abuse deserve support and services that account for their cultural, social, and historical context. One of the most effective ways to do this is by offering culturally-relevant programming and by partnering with culturally-specific organizations. Currently, community partnerships to address elder abuse struggle to meaningfully engage culturally-specific programs, limiting their effectiveness for older African Americans.

This resource aims to equip professionals working with older adults to build stronger and more equitable collaborations with the African American community and culturally-specific programs.

Components of this resource include:

  • A Report on the importance of culturally-specific programs, barriers to collaboration, and guiding principles and associated strategies for building equitable partnerships.
  • A Conversation Guide offering guidelines for facilitating a discussion with your elder justice community coordination team on equitable engagement, four discussion prompts, and resources to further your learning.
  • A Community Forum Toolkit designed to equip elder justice teams with resources to bring together partners working with and on behalf of older African Americans to develop a shared understanding of the community efforts already occurring and opportunities to further advance elder justice for the African American community. The toolkit includes a Facilitator Guide, sample agendas, and a sample PowerPoint template.
Webinar

Collaboration and Confidentiality Norms — this webinar explores the fundamentals of confidentiality, privacy, and mandatory reporting and focuses on how varying disciplines approach confidentiality and mandatory disclosures in the context of the work of a Coordinated Community Response (CCR).

Confidentiality & Mandatory Reporting
Resource Materials
Domestic Violence in Later Life
Resource Materials
Webinar

Protecting Survivors’ Economic Security in Later Life: Divorce, QDROs, and Coercive Control — this webinar explores how survivors can obtain part of a former spouse’s retirement benefit at divorce through a Qualified Domestic Relations Order (QDRO), and how abusers exercise coercive control by hindering QDRO access. This session will help advocates working with an increasingly aging population to better understand the role that retirement benefits play in promoting survivors’ long-term economic security, to identify legal resources specific to retirement, and to support survivors seeking to obtain a portion of an abuser’s earned retirement benefit at divorce.

Faith Community
Resource Materials
For Faith Leaders and Communities
For Advocates and Service Providers
Partnering to Address Faith and Safety
Healthcare
Resource Materials
  • Aging with Respect Elder Safety Card (718 KB) — This safety card provides guidance to health and community professionals on how to talk to patients about any concerning behavior of those around them and encourages early education about emotional, physical, and financial harassment, abuse and neglect. 

    It was developed for those patients/clients with agency and capacity in non-crisis, non-emergency situations that provides information about healthy and safe relationships, and the impact of unhealthy relationships on health and wellbeing. Topics include financial, emotional, and physical abuse and exploitation, education and prevention strategies, and information on seeking support.

  • Domestic Violence in Later Life: An Overview for Health Care Providers (PDF 691 KB) — this article provides an overview of domestic violence in later life and explores ways that physicians and other health care providers can improve their intervention and prevention efforts in abuse in later life cases.

 

Webinars

Responding to Abuse in Later Life: The Role of Forensic Nurses — This webinar was created for multidisciplinary professionals that serve older adults. Attendees of this webinar will be able to explain the role of forensic nurses in the response to violence across the life span, and how to engage forensic nurses in an inter-agency coordinated response to abuse in later life.  Featuring:  Dr. Kathleen Thimsen, Director of the Doctorate in Nursing Practice Program at the University of Nevada Las Vegas School of Nursing as well as the co-Director of its Community Clinic and Treasurer of the Forensic Nursing Certification Board; and Martie Washington, Abuse in Later Life Program Coordinator at the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL).

Health Care Providers’ Role in Identifying and Responding to Older Victims of Abuse — This webinar discusses signs of elder abuse and neglect and how health care providers can identify and respond to potential older victims. It also describes how victim service providers and other professionals can engage health care providers to work collaboratively with them and how health care providers can play on multidisciplinary case coordination teams.

Older Adults
Resource Materials
People with Disabilities
Resource Materials
Rural Communities
Resource Materials
Webinars

Strategies for Identifying, Reaching, and Effectively Serving Older Survivors in Rural Communities, October 10, 2023
Attendees of this webinar will be able to define abuse in later life, explore the information and resources included in NCALL’s updated Rural Toolkit, identify strategies for outreach, service provision and collaboration in a rural setting, and learn about OVW’s Abuse in Later Life Grant Program. In addition to NCALL, attendees will hear from service providers working in rural communities who will share how they support older survivors of abuse and collaborate with rural community partners.

Sexual Abuse in Later Life
Resource Materials
  • Sexual Abuse in Later Life: Believing and Supporting Older Survivors (PDF 2MB) — this resource aims to bring much needed attention to the issue of sexual abuse in later life. It will define sexual abuse in later life, describe the unique issues faced by older survivors of sexual abuse, and discuss the barriers older survivors face in accessing safety and healing. In addition, it will examine why sexual abuse in later life falls under the radar and offer some strategies and resources for supporting older survivors.
  • Sexual Abuse in Later Life (PDF 89 KB)— this article focuses on the victimization of older adults that occurs in the context of intimate partner violence, incest, and residential care facilities.
Stalking in Later Life
Resource Materials
Webinars
Technology

In 2014, NCALL, with contributions from Disability Rights Wisconsin and the Safety Net Project of the National Network to End Domestic Violence, released a series of handouts aimed at helping older adults identify ways to safeguard themselves from those who misuse technology to control, harass, stalk, and/or threaten them. In 2020, NCALL updated and expanded those resources to create a new toolkit.  It is available both in full-color and in printer-friendly black and white.

Full-color and printer-friendly versions of the Tech Safety + Older Adults Toolkit covers

 

 

Tribal Communities
Resource Materials

NCALL in collaboration with Victoria Ybanez of Red Wind Consulting and Lauren Litton of ISP Consulting, worked together to create the Reclaiming What is Sacred: Addressing Harm to Indigenous Elder and Developing a Tribal Response to Abuse in Later Life toolkit which is designed to help tribal communities create or enhance their response to harm to elders in their community.

Webinar

Reclaiming What is Sacred Webinar—this webinar discusses the Reclaiming What is Sacred: Addressing Harm to Indigenous Elders and Developing a Tribal Response to Abuse in Later Life paper.

Other pages in this section

Graphics
To assist communities in increasing awareness of the issue of abuse in later life, NCALL has created a series of posters and web graphics.
Learn more
Video Library
This section features videos created by NCALL. The collection, Working with Older Survivors, features streaming and downloadable video clips of subject matter experts discussing topics on providing services to older survivors of abuse. The Lifting Up Voices video series shares...
Learn more
Training Handouts
This page hosts training handouts for participants who attend OVW Abuse in Later Life Grant-funded local training events. These tools may also be used by other trainers who are looking for materials to supplement their community training events.
Learn more
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