What is Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse is a complex health and social problem involving harm or threatened harm to a senior citizen, including neglect by a person responsible for the elder's health or welfare. Exploitation involves misuse of the elder's funds or property.

How Frequent is Elder Abuse?
It is estimated that each year 80,000 of Michigan's citizens over the age of 60 are the victims of financial fraud and physical abuse (Michigan Task Force on Elder Abuse, 2005). In 2006 alone, 390 seniors were victims of abuse or exploitation.

Older adults are the most rapidly growing segment of the population and face continually increasing needs for care and support from their family and/or the community. This can result in increased caregiver burden and stress, due to the many physical and emotional difficulties that often accompany aging. Restricted income, alcoholism, family violence and minimal community services and supports may also play a role.

Program Highlights
An innovative, interdisciplinary team comprised of law enforcement personnel, medical and social services, Genesee County Probate Court and the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office with the goal of preventing elder abuse and exploitation.

If abuse is identified, coordinated services will be utilized to address the abuse, provide community education about prevention, and make essential recommendations to the court to ensure that older adults are cared for in a safe and ethical manner.

Provided Services
Guardian Ad-Litem: Provide an initial medical/social assessment for all older adults (60 or older), proposed court wards, and their families.

Guardianship Review: An assessment ordered by the Probate Court to review determination of whether the guardian is providing a satisfactory level of care for the older adult and to verify the need for guardianship continuation.

Investigation Services: Complete background checks on proposed guardian/conservators; or investigate complaints brought by Adult Protective Services, the community, or a service provider.

Geriatric Assessment: A comprehensive assessment conducted by an experienced geriatric team from a medical/social persepective.

Education and Training: Outreach training for the community to help better recognize and report elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.