Evaluating Elder Abuse Interventions

The University at Albany School of Social Welfare in collaboration with The Center for Human Services Research (CHSR) is working with Lifespan of Greater Rochester and the Weill Cornell Medicine’s New York City Elder Abuse Center to perform a preliminary program evaluation of the Elder Abuse Interventions and Enhanced Multidisciplinary Team (E-MDT) Initiative in New York State.  E-MDTs use a collaborative approach to intervene in complex cases of elder abuse (financial, physical, psychological, sexual, and neglect by others).  Members of the teams represent a variety of disciplines including the following:  Adult Protective Services, aging services, health and human services, financial/banking services, law enforcement, and others who meet under the facilitation of an E-MDT Coordinator.  The teams are enhanced by access to forensic accountants, geriatric psychiatrists/mental health professionals, and civil legal services. 

As of September 2020, there are currently 44 counties with operational E-MDTs and several more under development in the State.  Through interviews and surveys with representatives in a number of different roles, CHSR staff will establish a baseline efficacy of the program in New York State.

Funding for this preliminary program evaluation is provided from the New York State Office for the Aging and federal Victims of Crime Act/New York State Office of Victim Services to Lifespan of Greater Rochester.