Multidisciplinary Approach to Elder Abuse

The purpose of this award, funded under the OVC FY 2019 Transforming America's Response to Elder Abuse: Coordinated, Enhanced Multi-Disciplinary Teams (MDTs) for Older Victims of Abuse and Financial Exploitation Program, is to support elder abuse multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) as enhanced MDT’s (E-MDTs) at the rural, tribal, local or state levels, including existing and new teams. Through this solicitation, OVC seeks to support organizations which demonstrate innovative strategies to create, expand, or enhance the use of technology initiatives on a national scale or that can be relicated nationally to improve response, services, and access for victims of crime.

The Elder Justice Program, a collaboration of LifeBridge Health entities including Sinai Hospital, Levindale Hebrew Geriatric Center and Hospital, and Baltimore Child Abuse Center, will develop an Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Response led by an Elder Justice Manager and an Elder Abuse MDT Coordinator. The Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Response will exist as a collaboration housed within the LifeBridge Health System, which will incorporate neropsychology, long-term care, neuropsychology, victim services, geriatricians, and a Child Advocacy Center that specializes in Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Responses. The MDT response will bridge the hospital and Child Advocacy Center expertise with local law enforcement, prosecutors, first responders and aging services to establish a team that comprehensively addresses the complexities of elder justice. The MDT will be created with representation from local police, Adult Protective Services, State's Attorney's Office, and partners in the medical, mental health, geriatric, and victim services professions. The MDT will meet to review cases, coordinate care for victims, and continuously improve upon processes of interagency collaboration. The main goal of the MDT will be to improve the comprehensive response to elder abuse through regular MDT meetings, MDT partner feedback, and attendance and engagement at relationship strengthening activities and professional development sessions.

CA/NCF