National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL)
A Project of Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence
307 S. Paterson St., Suite 1, Madison, Wisconsin 53703-3517
Phone: 608-255-0539 • Fax/TTY: 608-255-3560 • www.ncall.us • www.wcadv.org
Abuse in Later Life Wheel
In 2006, NCALL adapted the Power and Control Wheel, developed by the Domestic Abuse Intervention Project, Duluth, MN.
Resource updated, April 2011.Tactics Used by Abusers
During 2005, NCALL staff asked facilitators of older abused women’s support groups to have participants review the Duluth Domestic Abuse Intervention Project’s Power and Control Wheel. Over 50 survivors from eight states responded. NCALL created this Abuse in Later Life Wheel from their input.
In addition to the tactics on the wheel, many offenders justify or minimize the abuse and deny that they are abusive. Perpetrators of abuse in later life may make comments like “she’s just too difficult to care for” or “he abused me as a child” to blame the victim, or try to minimize the abuse by stating the victim bruises easily or injuries are the incidental result of providing care. The list below provides additional examples of some of the behaviors victims might experience under each tactic included on the wheel.
Denies Access to Spiritual & Traditional
Events
Refuses transportation or access
Destroys spiritual or traditional items of
importance
Ridicules Personal and Cultural Values
Disrespectful of cultural practices
Ignores values when making decisions
Uses Family Members
Misleads family members regarding
condition of elder
Excludes or denies access to family; Isolates
Controls what elder does, who they see
and what they do
Denies access to phone or mail
Hits, chokes, burns, pinches, throws
things
Restrains elder to chair or bed
Sexual Abuse
Sexually harms during care giving
Forces sex acts
Forces elder to watch pornography
Psychological Abuse
Engages in crazy-making behavior
Publicly humiliates
Emotional Abuse
Yells, insults, calls names
Degrades, blames
Targets Vulnerabilities and Neglects
Takes or denies access to items needed for
daily living
Refuses transportation
Denies food, heat, care, or medication
Does not follow medical
recommendations
Refuses to dress or dresses
inappropriately
Uses Privilege
Speaks for elder at financial and medical
appointments
Makes all major decisions
Financial Exploits
Steals money, titles, or possessions
Abuses a power of attorney or
guardianship
Threatens
Threatens to leave or commit suicide
Threatens to institutionalize
Abuses or kills pet or prized livestock
Displays or threatens with weapons
