Legal Assistance for Seniors hosted its 6th Annual Conference on
Elder Abuse on June 20, 2011, at the Oakland Marriott City Center. The
conference certainly delivered on its theme “Connections that
Count…Linking Legal, Clinical and Social Work Professionals for Elder
Justice.”
Participants spanned a wide range of disciplines and roles,
including attorneys, doctors, nurses, care managers, social workers,
community outreach coordinators, fiduciaries, financial advisors,
professors, HICAP counselors, gerontologists, ombudsmen, victim
advocates, protective service personnel, conservators and many others
who came from throughout the state of California to interact and
discuss how to identify, prevent, and remedy elder abuse.
The conference kicked off with a
keynote presentation calling for those in the audience to work together
to help prevent elder abuse. Tristan Svare, Deputy District Attorney,
Elder & Dependent Adult Abuse Prosecution, from the San Bernardino
County District Attorney’s Office provided an overview of what
elder abuse encompasses, responses to elder abuse, and obstacles that
need to be overcome to work together in a coordinated community
response to elder
abuse.
Eleven additional sessions
rounded out the conference addressing a wide range of topics from a
variety of perspectives. A few of the topics covered included how to
identify elder financial abuse & undue influence, screening for
cognitive changes, responding to elder abuse, new treatments for brain
diseases affecting the elderly, addressing cultural issues, and legal
recourse for protecting assets and removing abusers. A list of
conference sessions, as well as downloadable materials from some
sessions, is provided below.
Conference co-chairs Erika Falk and Daniel Murphy covered the
opening and closing remarks, joined by Kirsten Voyles, Managing
Attorney for Legal Assistance for Seniors (LAS); Francel D’Andrea, LAS
Executive Director, and Richard Cowan, representing the Office of
Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, who congratulated LAS on their 35th
anniversary year and noted that the mayor’s office is presenting a
citation to LAS for their contribution to elder abuse prevention and
education.
The Honorable Judge Joyce Cram was presented with the LAS Service
Recognition award for her innovative work on Contra Costa County's
Elder Court, which provides a collaborative and sensitive approach to
the needs of seniors, as well as an array of supportive services for
older adults. Her work is a beacon of hope for many who are frustrated
with how elders interface with the justice system. LAS is proud
to recognize her for her work in helping to restore dignity to
seniors.
The Elder Abuse conference provides a much needed forum for
professionals to gather, to learn from each other and discuss the
myriad facets of elder abuse from a variety of perspectives to try to prevent and
fight elder abuse more effectively.
The Elder Abuse Conference provides a much
needed forum for professionals to gather, to learn from each other and
discuss the myriad of facts of elder abuse
Comments from attendees highlighted how the conference helped them
in their role: “As someone new to the field, this will color my
interactions and the way I conduct my work.” “Really appreciate getting
at the policy behind the law. Greatly appreciate the practical tips as
well.” “This helped me, as a social worker, to determine when I should
help a client pursue action.” “Revolutionary learning.”
For those who attended the 6th Annual Conference on Elder
Abuse, we hope that you gained new perspectives, tools, and inspiration
for the challenging yet vital role you play in helping seniors who
suffer from abuse. For those unable to join us, we hope you can join us
next year in our continuing efforts to make America a safe place to
grow old.
