Identifying, Addressing, and Preventing Elder Fraud, Exploitation, and Abuse

Elder abuse is a rampant and rapidly growing problem throughout New York State and across the country. While it is increasingly common, elder abuse remains dramatically underreported. This presentation is designed to raise awareness and understanding of the elder abuse epidemic and assist lawyers in identifying and addressing potential elder abuse within their pool of clients and potential clients. Participants will learn about the signs, symptoms, and red flags of different types of abuse, whether physical, emotional, or financial.

Presenters Deirdre Lok and Brooke Santoro, from The Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse Prevention at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale, review the results of the latest elder abuse research and what those findings mean for practitioners. Attendees will learn how to evaluate common ethical dilemmas that arise for attorneys attempting to address elder abuse concerns. The presenters discuss potential legal remedies as well as community resources, with a focus on practical and effective methods of prevention and intervention.

Learning Objectives:

1. Understand the different types of elder abuse and possible criminal charges
2. Explore how to spot the red flags and warning signs of elder abuse
3. Improve interviewing techniques with older adult clients and victims of elder abuse
4. Grasp the role of the attorney in elder abuse cases and possible civil remedies