The median age of the participants was 58 years (a range of 55 to 90). Eighty percent of the women were White, and more than half had household incomes greater than $40,000. Thirty-nine percent had remained in their marriage or relationship. The median length of the abusive relationship was 23 years (a range of 2 to 67 years). After the interviews obtained demographic and health information, participants were invited to talk about their relationship with the abuser, including the nature and frequency of abuse, reasons for remaining in the relationship, and the pattern of abuse over time. Sources of support and experiences in seeking help (health, church, legal, social services, and family) were also explored. After the initial analysis of the interviews, additional conversations were conducted to further understand ways of coping and the effects of the abuse on health. The abusive relationships encompassed physical, emotional, social/financial, and sexual abuse. Less than half were still intimately involved with their abusive partners; however, many women remained in their abusive relationships for years before deciding to leave. For those women who left the relationship, the leaving was typically precipitated by an episode of severe physical abuse or threat, or yet another extramarital affair. Reasons for remaining in the abusive relationships were categorized according to cohort, period, and aging effects. Cohort effects included reasons similar to those of younger women, such as lacking education or job skills. Period effects related to efforts to seek help early in the abusive relationship and receiving little assistance from society's social institutions. Aging effects pertained to how the health challenges of physical age limited options. Given these findings, social service agencies must construct new models for addressing the unique needs and circumstance of older couples who remain together despite abuse in the relationship. Some insight might be provided by examining the coping strategies and resources of older female victims of abuse who have survived and adapted within the abusive relationship. 1 table and 17 references