Consumer Protection for Seniors
For Consumers
End-of-Life Care Issues
Older Americans Act Funded National Legal Assistance Support
Other National Law and Aging Resources
If You Think You Have Been Scammed
If you think you have been scammed, contact your state's attorney general (see the ABA Commission's Law and Aging Guide)
You may also find help from one of these following organizations:
Medicare
Federal Agencies
National Professional Organizations
International Elder Law Sections and Committees
Additional Resources
International Links
- Countries:
- Canada:
- Access to Justice Network
On the homepage, go to "browse" and then to "elder abuse." Site includes several publications on elder abuse and some links.
- Alcohol and Seniors
This Web site developed by Charmaine Spencer, Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University, Victoria, BC, Canada is an outstanding source for information on alcohol and elder abuse. Case vignettes illustrate important facets of the overlap between substance abuse and abuse and neglect of older adults.
- British Columbia Institute Against Family Violence - Coalition to Eliminate Abuse of Seniors
Safety Tips for Seniors http://www.bcifv.org/hottopics/elders/safetytips.pdf
Fact Sheet Series on Elder Abuse http://www.bcifv.org/hottopics/elders/index.html
- Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (CNPEA)
c/o Institute for Human Development, Life Course and Aging, 222 College Street, Suite 106, Toronto, Ontario, Canada. M5T 3J1, Tel. (416) 925-7674 Fax (416) 978-4771, Email mailto:cnpea@hotmail.com
- The Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
Has local reporting numbers and resources.
- The Toronto Declaration on the Prevention of Elder Abuse
This declaration is a Call for Action aimed at the Prevention of Elder Abuse (also available in Spanish).
- United Kingdom:
- Action on Elder Abuse
Action on Elder Abuse is a national UK multidisciplinary membership organization based in London. Mail Address: Astral House, 1268 London Road, London England. SW16 4ER. Tel: (++44) (0)20 8765 7000 Fax: (++44) (0)20 8679 4074 Email: aea@ace.org.uk.
- International Non-Governmental Organizations (NGO):
- HelpAge International
- International Association of Forensic Mental Health Services
International Journal of Forensic Mental Health
Working Toward Interdisciplinary and International Collaboration
- International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA)
Founded in 1997, INPEA is dedicated to the global dissemination of information as part of its commitment to the world-wide prevention of the abuse of older people. Affiliate individual or organization membership free.
- World Health Organization (WHO):
- The "World Report on Violence and Health"
This newly published World Health Organization (WHO) report seeks to raise awareness about the problem of violence globally, to make the case that violence is preventable, and to highlight the crucial role that public health has to play in addressing its causes and consequences. A whole chapter of the WHO report is devoted to exploring elder abuse in depth.
Full report E-book (pdf format)
Chapter 5: Abuse of the Elderly
- WHO/INPEA Global Response Against Elder Abuse
Ageing and Life Course programme, Department of NCD Prevention & Health Promotion World Health Organization. Find out what WHO is doing to raise awareness of the extent of elder abuse around the world. Download the focus group report Missing Voices – Views of Older Persons on Elder Abuse. Also download separate reports from the countries: Argentina, Austria, Brazil, Canada, India, Kenya, Lebanon, and Sweden
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Domestic Violence
- Community, Regional, and National Organizations:
- American Bar Association Commission on Domestic Violence
Immediate advice for domestic violence victims, plus a guideline to doing safety planning. Site also contains statistics, teaching resources, legal research and analysis, multidisciplinary responses, a model code, and a list of ways to oppose domestic violence.
- Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence
This is the new web site for the Asian & Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence, a national network of advocates, activists, community members and others working to eliminate domestic violence in Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities. The Web site includes information on gender violence in specific API ethnic and demographic communities, as well as statistics on abuse and information on organizing strategies to prevent family violence.
- Domestic Violence Internet Project
Sponsored by a Santa Clara County, California group, this site has an international reach with more than 1200 classified links (including a set of elder abuse links) to other websites and a 4,000-item bibliography. Free, downloadable "Strong Men are Gentle Men" poster is available, along with various protocols used in the county.
- Mending the Sacred Hoop, S.T.O.P. Violence Against Indian Women Technical Assistance Project
Mending the Sacred Hoop's mission is to assist Native Sovereign Nations to improve their response to Indian women who are victimized by domestic violence and sexual assault and restore safety and integrity to them. Advocates will find this site a rich resource for training and technical assistance information.
- Minnesota Center Against Violence and Abuse
Rich resource covering many aspects of violence, including elder abuse and domestic violence. Contains conference list, education and training resources, web links, papers and reports, funders, resources for professionals, positions available, and much more.
- National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life
NCALL provides training and technical assistance on abuse in later life. The organization has an affilitate relationship with the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence.
- National Electronic Network on Violence Against Women (VAWnet)
VAWnet Library is an online resource for advocates working to end domestic violence, sexual assault, and other violence in the lives of women and their children.
- Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence
WCADV is a statewide membership organization of battered women, formerly battered women, and domestic abuse programs. All are committed to ending domestic violence.
- Publications & Resources:
- Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality - Domestic Violence Evaluation Tool
A consensus-driven quality assessment tool intended for formal evaluations of hospital-based domestic violence programs. Also see Evaluating Domestic Violence Programs, September 2002
- Domestic Abuse in Later Life: A Competency-based Training Manual for Meals on Wheels Volunteers and
Florida State University's Institute for Family Violence Studies, Rural Victimization Project developed this online resource specifically for human resources professionals in the aging field. In addition to chapters on the dynamics of domestic violence, overcoming rural barriers, and utilizing community resources, it contains information specific to the additional barriers to leaving an abusive relationship faced by elders as well as the impact of abuse on nutritional outcomes.
- Domestic Violence in Later Life - "Power and Control Wheel"
Published by the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life
- Innovative Strategies to Address Domestic Violence in Asian and Pacific Islander Communities: Examining Themes, Models and Interventions
Report by Asian and Pacific Islander Institute on Domestic Violence, authored by Mimi Kim, June 2002
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Elder Abuse
- Community, Regional, and National Organizations:
- Clearinghouse on Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly (CANE)
CANE is the Nation's largest computerized collection of elder abuse references and resources.
- Kentucky Cabinet for Families and Children
Elder Abuse Awareness Web site
- National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC)
Very rich resource for all types of victims of crime. Includes domestic violence and other websites for every state; elder abuse posters that can be ordered from NCVC; a discussion forum for both victims and professionals; overview of elder abuse laws and policies; and regularly-updated news stories from across the country. Some references and links are not, however, up to date.
- National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL)
A project of the Wisconsin Coalition Against Domestic Violence (WCADV), this Web site provides a variety of resources about abuse in later life. Many of the documents are downloadable and several are in Spanish. There are also links to Web sites of interest to people working in the elder abuse field.
- National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (NCPEA)
The mission of NCPEA is to prvent abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older persons and adults with disabilities through research, advocacy, services, treatment, public and professional awareness, interdisciplinary exchange, and coalition building. NCPEA publishes the Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect. Subscriptions are free of charge to members.
- San Francisco Consortium for Elder Abuse Prevention
The San Francisco Consortium for Elder Abuse Prevention is a network of 90 public and private agencies, which was formed to address the needs of abused and vulnerable seniors.
- Vermont Center for Crime Victim Services "Respect Your Elders" Campaign
A public education campaign, launced in November 2003, to encourage elders and their families and friends to report vicitimization and ask for assistance.
- Educational Institutions:
- University of Washington Social Work Standard of Practice
This website is the University of Washington Department of Social Work's Standard of Practice for elder abuse. It includes what social workers should look for when an elder is brought to an emergency room, recommended questions to ask of the elder and suspected abuser, safety planning, referring the client, documentation, and legal issues (from the perspective of the state of Washington).
- Federal Government:
- U.S. Administration on Aging
Very rich resource on all aging topics, including elder abuse. Website is aimed at older persons and their families, practitioners and other professionals, the aging network, and researchers and students. Includes funding alerts, fact sheets, statistics, advice on website development, extensive weblinks, and much, much more.
- U.S. Department of Justice
Links to organizations and resources on elder abuse.
- Publications & Resources:
- Article, "Elder Abuse and Neglect"
Good basic article covering types, indicators of abuse, possible interventions and causes, prevention measures, and recommended readings.
- Elder Abuse and Neglect Assessment (EAI)
Hartford Institute for Geriatric Nursing, New York University
- What You Can Do to End Violence and Fraud Against Elders
Massachusetts Office of Attorney General guide for preventing and responding to elder abuse. Intended for legal and financial advisors, health care professionals, religious community, colleges and universities, media, public information and outreach, highlights practical action steps and strategies.
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Financial Exploitation/Fraud
- Community, Regional, and National Organizations:
- Clergy Against Senior Exploitation (CASE)
The CASE partnership is an older-adult financial crime prevention and intervention program of the Denver District Attorney and Denver's faith community, supported with a grant from the Office for Victims of Crime (OVC), Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.
- Elder Financial Protection Network (EFPN)
EFPN, a California based advocacy network, is a coalition of financial institutions, law enforcement and social service agencies committed to preventing the growing problem of financial abuse of elders through community education, public awareness and the training of financial institution employees. Site includes training resources for financial institutions, community education calendar, and links/contacts to APS and law enforcement statewide.
- National Association to Stop Guardianship Abuse
- Virginia TRIAD Central, Office of the Attorney General
Elder Fraud Statistics for Senior Virginians.
- Federal Government:
- Financial Crimes Against the Elderly
This guide addresses the problem of financial crimes
against the elderly. It begins by describing the problem and
reviewing risk factors. It then identifies a series of
questions to help you analyze your local problem. Finally,
it reviews responses to the problem and describes the
conditions under which they are most effective.
- U.S. Postal and Inspection Service "Senior Fraud Prevention"
Check this resource for tips for avoiding illegal telemarketing and mail fraud.
- Publications & Resources:
- "Financial Exploitation of the Elderly Through Undue Influence: How to Spot It and What to Do About It"
In plain English, this article explains from a lawyer's viewpoint the hows and whys of undue influence and what can be done about it. Topics include: 1) Profile of the Victim, 2) Profile of the Perpetrator, 3) Understanding the Stages of Undue Influence, and 4) Remedies for Victims.
- Financial Exploitation of Elders
Research link to a National Center for Victims of Crime (NCVC) overview of risk factors and prevention.
- Preying on the Elderly
Two-day series on elder abuse jointly produced by the San Mateo County Times and KQED Public Radio of Northern California.
- When the Elderly Become Financial Targets
National Public Radio Morning Edition
Tuesday May 31, 2005
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Legal Information
AARP National Legal Training Project
American Bar Association Commission on Law & Aging: Where to Get Legal Help
National Senior Citizens Law Center
The Center for Social Gerontology:
U.S. Administration on Aging:
- Community, Regional, and National Organizations:
- American Bar Association (ABA): Online Law and Aging Resource Guide
A free, online state-by-state listing of resources published by the ABA Commission on Law and Aging to help seniors with law-related issues (long-term care ombudsman, local bar association elder law contacts, toll-free senior legal hotlines, and more).
- American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging
For more than five years, ABA Commission staff has been researching, analyzing and providing technical assistance about state laws and policies on elder abuse and adult protective services. The Commission on Law and Aging manages the National Center on Elder Abuse Listserve.
- Medicare Rights Center
Medicare Rights Center (MRC) is the largest independent source of health care information and assistance in the United States for people with Medicare. Founded in 1989, MRC helps older adults and people with disabilities get good, affordable health care.
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA)
This nonprofit association provides information, education, networking, and assistance on the many specialized issues involved with legal services to the elderly and disabled.
- Office of the Clark County Prosecuting Attorney, Clark County, Indiana
This site has several pages/sections related to elder abuse, both Indiana-specific and generic. Also includes crime prevention tips for seniors and Indiana laws related to elder abuse. The larger homepage includes witness tips for testifying in court.
- The Senior Protection Team of Plymouth County (Massachusetts) District Attorney's Office
This district attorney's site includes a description of the area's senior protection team, "common sense tips for your personal protection," a scam alert, and how to stop junk mail.
- Publications & Resources:
- "Elder Law Issues"
Index to a free weekly newsletter on elder law information. Frequently covers elder abuse issues.
- Honor Thy Mother and Father: Preventing Elder Abuse Through Education and Litigation.
Loyola of Los Angeles Law Review, Vol. 36, April 2003, by Sande L. Buhai and James W. Gilliam, Jr.
- Legal Hotline Directory (online)
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Mental Health, Public Health & Healthcare
- Community, Regional, and National Organizations:
- National Coalition on Mental Health and Aging
NCMHA is a voluntary coalition of private and public agencies and organizations united to improve and increase mental health and substance abuse services to older adults. Members represent fields of aging, mental health, substance abuse and primary health care systems, consumer, family and caregiver organizations, advocacy groups, professional organizations, higher education, the faith community, and other interested agencies and organizations. Click here for links to NCMHA member sites.
- National Technical Assistance Center for State Mental Health Planning (NTAC)
The NTAC provides technical assistance to state mental health organizations, including helping them better serve elders with mental illness. Site includes NTAC project highlights, resources, publications, and upcoming events.
- Publications & Resources:
- Alcohol & Elder Abuse Issues
"The presence of alcohol problems is one of the most commonly listed risk indicators in abuse and neglect of older adults." - Charmaine Spencer, Gerontology Research Centre, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver, B.C., Canada
- New York Consortium of New York Geriatric Education - Online Course
This online course and Web site is designed to educate health professionals and allied health workers to become familiar with elder mistreatment.
- World Report on Violence and Health
The World Health Organization released this first World report on violence and health in October, 2002. The goals of the report are to raise awareness about the problem of violence globally, to make the case that violence is preventable, and to highlight the crucial role that public health. Full report in e-book format available in English, French, and Russian. Summaries (pdf format) available in English, French, Spanish, Arabic, and German.
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