The mission of the Elder Justice Initiative is to support and coordinate the Department’s enforcement and programmatic efforts to combat elder abuse, neglect and financial fraud and scams that target our nation’s older adults. We engage in this work by focusing on the following mission areas:
Building Federal, State, and Local Capacity to Fight Elder Abuse
Providing targeted training and resources to elder justice professionals including prosecutors, law enforcement, judges, victim specialists, first responders, civil legal aid employees, and multi-disciplinary teams to enhance their ability to respond to elder abuse efficiently and effectively.
Promoting Justice for Older Americans
Investigating and prosecuting financial scams targeting older adults. Promoting greater federal, state, and local coordination to resolve cases where long-term care entities provide grossly substandard care to their residents or patients.
Supporting Research to Improve Elder Abuse Policy and Practice
Promoting foundational research into elder abuse and financial exploitation to transform the practice of professionals in ways that positively impact the lives of older adults.
Helping Older Victims and Their Families
Connecting older adults and their families or caregivers with appropriate investigative agencies, as well as empowering them with information about abuse and recovering from its effects.
