Violence at the End of the Life Course

This chapter describes family violence that occurs at the end of the life course. Elder abuse and neglect has generally received far less attention in research and police compared to child abuse and intimate partner violence. The chapter defines different forms of elder abuse, including physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological abuse, financial abuse, neglect, violation of rights, and self-neglect. Risk factors for perpetration and victimization, as well as the consequences of experiencing abuse are discussed. The life-course perspective contributes an important understanding of elder abuse and neglect, including connections to child abuse and intimate partner violence and the intergenerational transmission of violence.