Table 5.

Intimate partner violence (IPV) interventions for older women.

Reference	Aims	Sample	Design	Intervention Findings
[31]	To examine the differences between older and younger women who use IPV services.	N = 5,235 2,495 Aged 18-64 2,740 Aged 65 and over USA	Cohort study.	-Older women were more likely to use civil and/or criminal advocacy services related to obtaining orders of protection. -Older women were less likely to use the majority of other services. -Older women were more likely to obtain help via a police referral or a State’s Attorney’s office. -Older women were less likely to seek help via a friend or a self-referral.
[46]	To identify and explore the needs of older and isolated women who lives with domestic violence.	N = 90 Aged 50-78 Australia	Mixed methods qualitative study (face to face interviews, focus groups, national phone-in).	-Needs identified related to the following themes: being believed; having social support; accessing tailored information; appropriate responses from service providers (healthcare providers, ministers of religion; legal professionals; and the police); accurate and accessible legal support; income support; and availability and suitability of accommodation.
[53]	To describe the variation in use of services provided by the Illinois Coalition Against Domestic Violence amongst older women of different ethnicities between 1990 & 1995.	N = 2702 Aged 55+ USA	Retrospective cohort study.	-Older people represented 2.5% of all service users.
[54]	To describe the impact of state recommendations for special programming for abused older women in Florida.	N = 33 shelters USA	Pre- and post-survey study.	-State recommendations resulted in better provision of IPV services for older women: more shelters and more staff, volunteers, and board directors aged over 60.
[55]	To describe the domestic violence services in Ohio in relation to women aged 55 and over.	N = 52 Domestic violence centres USA	Cross-sectional statewide survey study.	-For women aged 55+: 36% provided outreach services; 29.8% had provided direct services or a referral to at least one woman; 19.6% had served at least one woman via a crisis line; 40.1% had served at least one woman via a support group. -Areas for improvement: education; training; collaboration with aging agencies
[56]	To describe community professionals’ awareness, perceptions and experience in providing support to older women experiencing intimate partner violence.	N = 87 Community professionals likely to encounter women experiencing IPV USA	Qualitative focus group study.	-Most professionals were unaware of the extent of the problem. -Support was provided in services with little collaboration unless there was also a health emergency.
[57]	To explore service responses to abuse among older people across a range of sectors.	N = 18 agency workers N = 3 older women	Mixed methods study (questionnaires & in depth interviews).	-3 main themes: -Lack of conceptual clarity between domestic abuse and elder abuse -Complexity of family dynamics and abusive relationships. -Deficit in dedicated service provision for older survivors.
[58]	To describe the role of support groups for older women experiencing domestic violence.	N = 34 Support group facilitators USA	Qualitative interview study.	-Main benefit of support groups is the opportunity and information for women to make changes to their lives. -Characteristics of existing support groups include: being open access and culturally specific; mostly all-female; address historical and current abuse; having mixed locations such as DV agencies, health settings, community settings; occurring at varied times of days; and content varying between informal meetings, peer counselling and structured activities to address specific problems. -Challenges to starting support groups include facilitating participation, lack of transportation to attend, freedom to leave when living with an abuser, and funding.
[59]	To understand the most effective interventions when working with older women who have experienced IPV.	N = 2 Aged 63-65 USA	Qualitative study (case studies).	-Themes identified for effective interventions: welcoming and engaging the client; encouraging and supporting the telling of one’s story; and assisting in the process of empowerment.
[60]	To provide insight into resources used to leave an abusive partner.	N = 8 Aged 50-74 Canada	Qualitative semi-structured interview study.	-Women used formal and informal resources. -Formal resources included family members, friends, neighbours, and self-help. -Informal resources included criminal justice system, financial resources, mental health services, family violence services, physical health services, housing services, transportation services, addiction services, employment and volunteering services, security and communication services, and educational programs. -Greater access to all resources would have been welcomed by the women.