Findings from the National Elder Abuse Victim Services Needs Assessment

• In Event: Assessing the Needs and Capacities of Victim Service Providers

Abstract

Elder abuse can have harmful long-term physical, psychological, and financial impacts on older adults and their families. On behalf of Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative, ICF is conducting a national needs assessment of elder justice professionals and individuals ages 60 and older who have experienced abuse, neglect, fraud, and/or financial exploitation (elder abuse). The purpose of the needs assessment is to better understand services available for individuals who have experienced elder abuse; gaps in services, and needs of individuals who have experienced elder abuse and the professionals who serve them. This presentation will provide an overview of the mixed methods research design and findings from surveys and focus groups conducted with service providers and individuals who have experienced elder abuse, including (1) a description of available services and gaps in services, (2) barriers to providing and accessing services, (3) capacity-building and training needs for service providers, (4) multi-disciplinary collaboration among service providers, and (5) recommendations for improvement.

Authors

• Alana Henninger, ICF

• Bhuvana Sukumar, ICF

• Christine Doelger, ICF

• Claire McDowell, ICF

• Rachel Castellano, ICF