Older Black woman close up, smiling
COVID-19 Survivor Impact Briefs 
Older Adults

The National Resource Center for Reaching Victims conducted a series of 
listening sessions to unearth the impact the COVID-19 health crisis is 
having on underserved victims of crime and better resource the crime 
victim services field to respond to those needs. 

This brief summarizes the issues and strategies that emerged from 
listening sessions on older adult survivors. 

Introduction 

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic older adult victims of crime and abuse experienced unique 
challenges and barriers to accessing healing and justice services. The pandemic has 
exacerbated these barriers and created new challenges for older survivors in addition to the 
added stress and trauma of being higher risk for contracting and suffering from COVID-19. This 
brief explores some of those needs and creative solutions shared during listening sessions, 
strategy sessions, and conversations with survivors. 

National Resource Center for Reaching Victims logo (helping those who help others) and NCALL logo

Unique Impacts 

Older Adults are at Heightened Risk for Violence and Abuse 



While physical distancing is required to keep everyone safe during this global pandemic, 
isolation is a major risk factor for abuse in later life. During this time, it has become 
harder for older adults to reach out to usual connections in their community, turning 
physical distancing into unhealthy isolation. For older adults experiencing abuse at home, 
there are few accessible and safe avenues for reaching out for help. 


The result of this increased isolation and disconnection from community has led to a 
decrease in calls to domestic violence services, sexual assault services, advocates, adult 
protective services, and long-term care ombudsman. What we know is that the decrease 
in calls does not equal a decrease in experienced violence, emotional abuse, or financial 
exploitation. 


In order to protect residents from increased risk of COVID-19 nursing homes, long term 
care facilities, and senior living facilities have prohibited access for anyone not deemed 
essential. This includes family members, ombudsman, advocates, and adult protective 
services. This creates an environment with little oversight in facilities and leaves older 
adults more vulnerable to abuse with little to no access to supports. 


Nursing homes and other long-term care facilities often rely on family members to help 
facilitate meals and take care of other needs of their loved ones during visits. The 
prohibition of family members has left nursing homes with fewer resources to see to the 
needs and well-being of residents. 



Systemic Racism and Ageism Uniquely Impact Older Adults 



The pandemic has also come to show the dire consequences of unchecked systemic 
racism and ageism on older victims and survivors of abuse. Older black and Latinx people 
are more likely to die from COVID-19 than white people, and this is not because of the 
virus, but due to systemic inequity when it comes to fair housing markets, access to quality 
healthcare, and employment practices. This culminates into increased risk for 
comorbidities, exacerbating the risk of death when contracting COVID-19. 


An increase in ageist language in the media has painted older adults as disposable, too 
vulnerable, not worthy of receiving medical attention, and thus they have become targets 
of ridicule and shame. 


Systemic racist oppression and ageism bleed into older survivors’ capacity to access 
services and supports when they are experiencing abuse while physically distancing from 
the community. 


Promising Strategies 

Use an Intersectional Framework and Prioritize the Needs of Folks 
in the Margins. 

Use a whole-person centered approach to discussing needs when connecting with older 
survivors. Consider the intersections of their identities and the implications of the 
overlapping oppressions that are currently getting in the way of accessing supports. Be 
creative with building relationships with organizations that may not usually work with 
victims but may be touchstones for folks in their own communities. 





Keep Connected with Tele-Advocacy 

Connect with people in the best and safest way that works for the survivor, whether that 
is over the phone, via text, or video chat. Check in with survivors on how they can safely 
stay connected with their family and community members. Strategize with people as you 
would while safety planning on what safe connection looks like for them at this time. 
Visit www.techsafety.org to get information of different technology tools available to 
have safe and confidential conversations with survivors. 






Rethink the Role of an Advocate 

During this time many people, especially those who have experienced or are experiencing 
violence/emotional trauma, may have a hard time focusing and managing their stress. 
Check in with survivors just to ask how their day is going. If an older survivor expresses 
interest in getting help with organizing their days, draw upon your safety planning skills to 
walk through daily goal plans to help survivors navigate their anxiety and stress. 





Lean on and Create New Relationships 

Collaboration is key when supporting older survivors. For example, APS workers can call 
on police to help with wellness checks, ombudsman may be able to do check-in calls, and 
advocates can create and share tools for survivors to manage their stress. Think about 
what organizations and entities may come into contact with older adults in your 
community (APS, faith communities, police, culturally specific programs, etc.) and 
organize an online meeting or phone call with them to talk through how you can create a 
coordinated approach to checking in and being available for older adults in your 
community. 





Call on Faith Leaders to Connect with Survivors 

89% of older adults look to faith as a source of strength, resilience, and connection. Build 
connections with faith leaders in your community or call on existing relationships to 
support faith leaders in reaching out to older adults in their communities. Email this letter 
to give faith leaders tangible action steps they can take to stay better connected with 
older adults and mitigate their risk of abuse 






older East Asian woman with glasses, smiling at the camera
Stay Up-To-Date on COVID-19 Scams 

Some people are leveraging the fear around the pandemic to scare, manipulate, and 
defraud others. The Federal Trade Commission website can help you stay up to date on 
the different scams popping up related to the virus. Stay informed and check often as 
new information arises related to scams. If you come across suspicious activity, file a 
report at the FTC at ftc.gov/complaint. 





Self-Care is Critical 

Program managers must be mindful of the emotional toll for service providers who are 
used to being able to help, but now struggle with additional barriers to reach victims and 
survivors. Utilize different grounding and self-care tools to minimize the trauma impact of 
being a support person in the midst of a pandemic. 






About the National Resource Center for Reaching Victims 

The National Resource Center for Reaching Victims (NRC) is a clearinghouse for victim 
service providers, culturally specific organizations, criminal justice professionals, and 
policymakers to get information and expert guidance to enhance their capacity to identify, 
reach, and serve all victims, especially those from communities that are underrepresented in 
healing services and avenues to justice. For more information about the NRC, visit the NRC’s 
website at http://reachingvictims.org. 

About the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life 

The National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL) is a project of End Domestic 
Abuse Wisconsin: The Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence. NCALL is committed to 
creating a world that respects the dignity of older adults and enhances the safety and 
quality of life of older victims and survivors of abuse. NCALL staff are available to provide 
technical assistance, consultation, training, and resources related to abuse in later life and 
elder abuse. For more information about NCALL visit the NCALL website at 
https://www.ncall.us 

This resource was produced by the Vera Institute of Justice under award #2016 XV GX K015, awarded by 
the Office for Victims of Crime, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice. The opinions, 
findings, and conclusions or recommendations expressed in this (insert type of product) are those of the 
contributors and do not necessarily represent the official position or policies of the 

U.S. Department of Justice. 

April 2020