In this study the meanings of family violence from the perspective of elderly users of a primary care health unit were analyzed. In this qualitative study, based on grounded theory, nine seniors participated who were identified by health professionals as victims of family violence. Data from semi-structured interviews revealed that the meaning of family violence against the elderly is associated with family behaviors that generate: deprivation of autonomy, disrespect by their grandchildren, abandonment or neglect. Some types of violence were not recognized by participants in their own family relationships, since for them the meaning of violence is something that occurs "with other elderly people", the frail and dependent, persons with which they did not identify themselves.
Elderly; family violence; health; primary care