ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION UNIT

CELJ’s Elder Abuse Prevention Unit is committed to helping older adults who are in abusive situations.  These situations can involve physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, sexual abuse and neglect.  A variety of civil legal services are offered, including obtaining orders of protection, using the civil legal system to stop existing exploitation and recover stolen assets, revocation and drafting of powers of attorney, safety planning and connection with services. This unit assists older adults who reside in Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Allegany, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties.  There are no income restrictions.  In addition, this unit is a frequent presenter on elder abuse issues.  To find out if you qualify for our services, or to learn about preventing elder abuse, you can call our intake line at 716-853-3087 (or toll free at 844-296-6404). Download our brochure here.

CELJ is also proud to partner in the Council on Elder Abuse Shelter Network. The Shelter is a collaboration between local nursing facilities and service providers to provide temporary safe shelter to older victims of domestic violence.  For more information on the shelter, visit Council on Elder Abuse or call 716-941-4994.

CELJ also coordinates Enhanced Multidisciplinary Teams(E-MDTs) in Erie, Niagara, Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Wyoming counties. CELJ provides civil legal services to teams in Genesee and Orleans Counties. E-MDTs are partnerships among public, profit and non-profit organizations, with the goal of working collaboratively to improve the process of protecting victims of financial exploitation and abuse, as well as improve the outcomes of complex elder abuse cases.

To learn more, visit our E-MDT page.

Elder abuse is widespread but severely under-reported.  An estimated 260,000 older adults in NY State are victims of at least one form of elder abuse. For every 1 case of elder abuse that is reported, 24 cases go unreported.  Although nursing home abuse exists, the majority of elder abuse tends to take place where the senior lives. Often, the abuser is a caretaker, family member or friend. Our attorneys and social workers are available to talk to you if you think you may be a victim of abuse, or have concerns that someone you know is.  Please note, however, that the Elder Abuse prevention unit does not take cases of nursing home abuse or neglect.

If you, or someone you know are the victim of a crime, you can also contact the NY State Crime Victims Network for help.

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Watch a brief informational video on Elder Abuse and Isolation during Covid-19 below.

Watch an in depth presentation about the different types of abuse and financial exploitation that can occur, and how to spot the warning signs.

 

This program is funded in part by New York State Office for the Aging, U.S. Department of Justice Office of Victims of Crime, New York State Office of Victim Services and Lifespan of Greater Rochester.

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KEEPING SENIORS SAFE

HELP IS AVAILABLE!

INFORMATION FOR ADVOCATES

IF YOU SUSPECT ABUSE, TAKE ACTION!

FAQs

If you suspect abuse, you should take action! There are many resources available, including our office, Crisis Services (716-834-3131), Erie County Protective Services for Adults (716-858-6877) and your local county’s Office for the Aging. If you are an advocate and want to learn more about getting involved with stopping elder abuse, consider joining the Council on Elder Abuse. This group meets once a month- for more information, visit Council on Elder Abuse.

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