Elder mistreatment is a complex, nuanced, and multifaceted phenomenon, frequently intersecting medical, legal, social, financial, and familial domains. Case investigation, review, and response often require the expertise and collaboration of professionals across disciplines. Elder abuse multidisciplinary teams (MDTs) are an evidence-based, best practice approach to intervention. Teams comprised of cross-sectoral professionals meet regularly to assess cases and offer recommendations for resolution.
MDTs vary in scope, process, and composition, depending upon the community need and available resources. Specialist teams include financial abuse specialist teams (FAST), elder death review teams (EDRT), forensic centers, and enhanced multidisciplinary teams (E-MDTs). Team members may include adult protective services, the long-term care ombudsman, law enforcement, prosecutors, geriatricians, gero-psychologists, mental health providers, victim services, civil attorneys, the public guardian, and financial accountants.
Each of the disciplines referenced below collaborate with law enforcement to facilitate elder abuse investigations, identify opportunities for resolution, and promote the safety and wellbeing of older victims of abuse.
Adult Protective Services (APS)
APS is the social services agency charged with investigating allegations of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. They conduct needs assessments, develop and implement care plans, provide services and offer referrals, and supports older adults’ right to self-determination and autonomy.
Learn more about how you can work collaboratively with APS:
- What is Adult Protective Services?
- Adult Protective Services: Your Partner in Combatting Elder Abuse
- Law Enforcement: Building Stronger Cases with Multidisciplinary Teams
- For additional information about APS, visit the National Adult Protective Services Association.
Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Long-term care ombudsmen advocate for residents of long-term care facilities. At the behest and direction of residents, they can help resolve complaints, advocate for quality care in facilities, and provide services and offer referrals. They also educate residents and care providers.
- For additional information about the long-term care ombudsman program, visit the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-term Care
Prosecutors
Prosecutors work closely with law enforcement to advise criminal investigations of elder abuse. They review cases referred by law enforcement, provide input on the evidence needed for arrest, and assist law enforcement with search warrants. Prosecutors file charges against alleged offenders and manage criminal prosecutions, including bail hearings, negotiations, trials, and sentencings. They also work with victims and their families.
- For more information on the prosecutor’s role in cases of abuse, neglect, and exploitation, visit Elder Justice Initiative – Prosecutors.
Geriatricians
Geriatricians with expertise in geriatric syndromes and elder mistreatment can diagnose cases of abuse. They are able to evaluate a victim’s medical, cognitive, and functional condition, and conduct capacity assessments. Among their roles on the team, geriatricians can review medical charts, medication, and medical history. They are also able to recommend resources and services to support older victims.
- If healthcare professionals express reluctance to share medical information due to HIPAA, provide the following information:
Gero-Psychologists
Gero-psychologists can assess an older adult’s mental health conditions, cognitive impairments, and decision-making capacity. They can opine on the impact of dementia on recall and credibility, the presence of undue influence and the validity of a victim’s consent. They also review an older victim’s psychological history and competency to provide witness testimony, and can serve as expert witnesses.
Mental Health Providers
Mental health providers can advise teams about a victim’s mental health diagnosis and status, recommend appropriate interventions, and assist in mental health crises.
Victim Services
Victim services providers, working within the community or justice system, can guide victim’s through the criminal justice process. They work with older adults to attain safety and promote independence. They may also connect victims with supportive services and accompany victims to court for emotional support.
- For resources, webinars, training, and victims’ rights information, visit Elder Justice Initiative – Victim Specialists
Forensic Accountants
Forensic accountants work with law enforcement and prosecutors to collect and analyze financial records, trace the flow of funds, identify potential financial fraud and irregularities, inform investigations, and report findings. As expert witnesses in elder abuse cases, they can distill complicated financial records and economic damages in ways that are comprehensible and meaningful to the judges and juries.
Resources
National Center on Elder Abuse
- Multidisciplinary Teams
- Guidelines to Integrate Person-Centered Approaches in Adult Maltreatment Multidisciplinary
- Integrating Person-Centered Approaches in Multidisciplinary Teams
- Adult Protective Services and Multidisciplinary Partnerships
- Reframing Elder Abuse and Multidisciplinary Teams
Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative
- Multidisciplinary Team Technical Assistance Center (MDT TAC)
- MDT Guide and Toolkit
- Elder Justice Network Locator Map
Additional Resources
- National Elder Abuse MDT Training and Technical Assistance Center
- Social Work Roles in Elder Abuse Prevention and Response
