Conference on Elder Abuse

When: May 20th, 2025 from 9 AM – 5 PM
Where: UC Law San Francisco (198 McAllister St.)

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Join us for Legal Assistance for Seniors’ Conference on Elder Abuse, California’s premier conference for attorneys, advocates, social workers, fiduciaries, care managers, and others committed to preventing and responding to elder abuse. This is an in-person event.

At a time when financial abuse and housing precarity are on the rise for older adults, Conference sessions will focus on examining the various ways older adults experience elder abuse within our communities. Speakers will provide effective tools and strategies to identify and address issues that impact older adults.

This year’s 19th Conference on Elder Abuse will take place at UC Law San Francisco on May 20th and is hosted by UC Law SF Consortium on Law, Science & Health Policy. We hope you will join us for what promises to be an inspiring and connecting Conference!

CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

• $125 – Special Rate for nonprofit organizations and government agencies (Registration must be completed by May 15 to receive the Special Rate)
• $250 – Day of Registration (purchased on May 20th)
• $200 – Regular (purchased after April 28 until May 19th for regular rate; purchase by May 8th to ensure a printed nametag)

Accommodations: LAS makes every effort to make its events accessible to persons with disabilities. To request accommodations, please contact the LAS Conference team at conference@lashicap.org or call 510-832-3040 and ask for a Conference team member.

An Important Note: To limit our agency’s impact on the planet, all accompanying materials for Conference sessions will be available only online for download prior to the Conference. It is the responsibility of all Conference attendees to save copies to bring on devices or print copies for the Conference.

LAS will NOT have printed session materials available at the Conference. Conference session materials will all be available through a protected webpage with access granted after registration has been completed.

Refund policy: Full refunds are available up to 14 days prior to the conference date. Refunds requested after May 7th will incur a $25 cancellation fee.

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CONFERENCE SESSIONS

1. Early Interventions for Health Care Teams to Prevent Elder Abuse and Neglect | Presented by:

• Anna Chodos, MD, MPH, Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatrics, University of California, San Francisco
• Sarah Hooper, JD, Professor of Practice and Executive Director, UCSF-UC Law SF Consortium on Law, Science & Health Policy; Co-Director, UCSF-UC Law SF Master of Science in Health Policy & Law; and Policy Director, Medical-Legal Partnership for Seniors, UC Law San Francisco, Clara Park, MPA, Director of Strategy for Dementia Care Aware (DCA) and Caregivers As Partners in Care Teams (CAP-CT) in the Division of Geriatrics at UCSF
• Elizabeth Peters, JD, MPH, Staff Attorney, Medical-Legal Partnership for Seniors, UC Law SF

Credits: BRN and CAMFT – 1.5

Summary:
The cognitive health assessment (CHA) is a screening approach for primary care teams to use as an annual cognitive screen for older adults. Routine screening for cognitive impairment in older adults can help detect dementia early, which allows health care teams, their patients, and patients’ caregivers to prepare and develop a plan that can prevent elder abuse and neglect. This session will demonstrate how early detection of cognitive impairment, identification and support for caregivers, and improved legal and financial planning processes are all steps to prevent abuse and neglect in older adults.
 
Objectives:

1. Identify two reasons it is important to conduct routine annual cognitive and functional assessments in older adults, such as the “cognitive health assessment”
2. Describe three benefits of engaging caregivers during health care visits
3. Name key components of early legal and financial advance planning for patients living with dementia

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2. Enhanced Services Under One Roof: Improving Housing Stability for Seniors Through Combined Legal and Social Work Services | Presented by:

• Ellaynna Benson, BA, Lead Case Manager, Adult Protective Services Case Management (APSCM), Home Safe Case Management, Felton Institute
• Tiffany Hickey, Esq., Staff Attorney, Housing Stability Project, Disability Rights California
• “Kathy” Kiu Ho, LCSW, Ph.D., Social Services Manager, Housing Stability Project, Disability Rights California

Credits: MCLE Recognition and Elimination of Bias  – 1.5 and CAMFT – 1.5

Summary:
This panel focuses on how the intersection of disability, poverty, and social determinants of health (SDOH) creates additional challenges for seniors seeking legal assistance. By integrating social work and legal advocates, our model addresses not only the legal issues but also the broader health and social needs impacting seniors’ well-being. When tenants contact us for legal help, social workers conduct biopsychosocial assessments to identify factors that may affect seniors’ ability to resolve their legal problems. This collaborative approach improves access to resources and support, ultimately enhancing outcomes for senior clients in need of both legal and social services.
 
Objectives:

1. Identify possible social work roles and tasks in legal settings to reduce barriers for seniors in resolving legal problems.
2. Explain how social work advances the mission of legal services providers and helps clients reach their legal goals.
3. Describe a model of social work practice in legal settings.

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3. Hiring and Working with Caregivers- Risks, Liabilities and Solutions | Presented by:

• Julie Menack, Owner, 21^st Century Care Solutions
• Rob Nuddleman, Esq., President and Principal Attorney, Nuddleman Law Firm, P.C.
• Susan Friedman, Retired RN, BSN, Volunteer at Hand in Hand

Credits: BRN – 1.5

Summary:
Special employment laws apply to caregivers. Learn different options for hiring caregivers and how to avoid innocent but costly mistakes. Whether your client uses a homecare agency, a referral agency, a 3rd party employer or hire caregivers directly, it is important to understand the potential liabilities you and your clients face when working with caregivers.
 
Objectives:

1. Review existing laws when clients or members of the care team hire caregivers.
2. Determine best practices for hiring and employing caregivers.
3. Discuss common employment problems encountered when working with clients that need in-home care.

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 4. Legal and Ethical Considerations in Representing Clients with Diminished Capacity | Presented by:

• Tony Chicotel, Esq., Senior Staff Attorney, California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform
• Arabelle Malinis, Esq., Staff Attorney, California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform

Credits: MCLE Legal Ethics – 1.5
 
Summary:
We will discuss the essential ethical and legal considerations for effectively representing older adults with diminished capacity. This presentation includes assessing legal capacity, identifying diminished capacity indicators, and navigating the accompanying challenges. We will also examine the recent appellate decision in Herrin v. Sarlo and its implications for navigating the representation of older adults with diminished capacity.
 
Objectives:

1. have a comprehensive understanding of the framework and resources essential for effectively assessing the legal capacity of clients
2. know the crucial ethical and legal implications of advocating for clients with diminished capacity, ensuring a responsible approach
3. understand the strategies and challenges for representing clients with diminished capacity and cognitive impairments, informed by the pivotal appellate case, Herren v. Sarlo

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5. Less Restrictive Alternatives to Conservatorship | Presented by:

• Caitlin M. Doyle, Esq., Supervising Attorney, Legal Assistance for Seniors
• Christina Nalchajian, Esq., Nalchajian Whitley Law
• Kirsten Voyles, Esq., Legal Director, Legal Assistance for Seniors

Credits: MCLE Legal Ethics – 1.5
 
Summary:
The California conservatorship process involves the weighing of proposed protection of individuals against their possible loss of constitutional rights. Whether denying or granting a conservatorship, the court must consider and order the least restrictive alternatives for the particular facts of each case. In this presentation, we will explore exactly what those alternatives might be. The presenters will offer the perspectives of both those who defend against conservatorships – court appointed counsel for proposed conservatees – and those who represent petitioners and conservators – a probate attorney whose clients seek to establish and administer conservatorships.
 
Objectives:

1. Understand of the statutorily-required alternatives to conservatorship that petitioners must explore — including supported decision-making agreements, health care surrogacy, advance health care directives, powers of attorney, and trusts
2. Know how best to ensure that least restrictive alternatives are maintained even in the context of a granted conservatorship and how to handle some common factual scenarios that arise
3. Gain perspective on the importance of the least-restrictive-alternative inquiry in the overall operation of the justice system

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6. Long-Term Care Ombudsman: What The Heck Are They, And How Can They Help You? | Presented by:

• Douglas Allen, Assistant District Attorney, Santa Cruz
• Anne Marie Murphy, Esq., Partner at Cotchett, Pitre & McCarthy LLP
• Jason Sullivan-Halpern, Executive Director, California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association (CLTCOA)

Credits: BRN, CAMFT – 1.5

Summary:
CDA’s Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) works directly with attorneys, law enforcement, licensing agencies, medical professionals, fiduciaries, and others in the community to protect the health, safety, rights, and quality of life of older adults and adults with disabilities living in skilled nursing, assisted living, and other long-term care facilities. But the role of Ombudsmen as free, resident-centered advocates certified by the state to resolve complaints according to the express wishes of the resident is often misunderstood. In this presentation, you will learn how YOU can partner with YOUR local Ombudsman on resolving YOUR cases as well as leverage their resources towards advancing elder and disability justice in your community at large.

Objectives:

1. Understand the basic services provided by and legal authority of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program (LTCOP) under the Older Americans Act and Older Californians Act
2. Understand how local LTCOPs partner with elder law attorneys, law enforcement agencies, facility staff (including medical professionals), social workers (including APS), and both public and private fiduciaries to protect the health, safety, rights, and quality of life of long-term care facility residents
3. Be prepared to reach out to their local LTCOP to start developing partnerships or relationships, including formal MOUs between these public and private agencies

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7. Preventing and Addressing Financial Elder Abuse through Estate Planning | Presented by:

• Cecilia A. Rodriguez, Esq., Legal Director of Elder & Disability Law, La Raza Centro Legal
• John Rueppel, Esq., Partner, JKZ, LLP
• Yulissa Zulaica, Esq., Managing Partner, JKZ, LLP

Summary:
We will discuss the importance of having a general proper power of attorney and an advanced health care directive. We will also cover how an estate plan can help folks protect their assets. Additionally, we will discuss ways to prevent financial abuse and what to do if you’ve already fallen victim to it.
 
Objectives:

1. Be able to inform and/or direct folks to create a power of attorney/estate plan
2. Understand the difference between a general power of attorney and a medical power of attorney and understand why a trust is needed versus just a will
3. Know how to prevent financial elder abuse

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8. Protecting Older Adults from Financial Abuse in the Digital Age | Presented by:

• Alma Galvan, Regional Marketing and Communications Manager, San Francisco Better Business Bureau
• Caleb Logan, Esq., Staff Attorney & Technology Manager, Elder Law & Advocacy, San Diego

Credits: MCLE Technology – 1.5 and CAMFT – 1.5

Summary:
Scammers continuously evolve their tactics to exploit older adults, leading to devastating financial and emotional consequences. This session will provide information from the BBB’s 2024 Scam Tracker Risk Report on the latest fraud trends affecting seniors and discuss strategies to detect and prevent elder financial exploitation. Participants will also learn how to approach digital asset estate planning and the evolving legal landscape as different jurisdictions adapt their laws to fight fraud.
 
Objectives:

1. Identify emerging fraud trends affecting older adults
2. Recognize common tactics used by scammers
3. Apply preventative strategies to reduce risk
4. Understand the legal remedies and planning tools available to address and combat elder financial exploitation

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9. Protecting Our Seniors: The Intersection of Elder Abuse and Immigration Issues | Presented by:

• Greg Palomares. Esq., Supervising Attorney-Elder and Disability Rights Project, API Legal Outreach
• Akiko L. Takeshita, Managing Attorney, API Legal Outreach

Summary:
Elder abuse affects some of the most vulnerable members of our community, and immigration-related challenges can further complicate their access to protection and justice. This presentation will explore how immigration status impacts seniors facing abuse, the legal remedies available, and the role professionals can play in ensuring their safety. Attendees will gain insights into the intersection of elder abuse laws and immigration policies, equipping them with tools to better serve immigrant seniors.
 
Objectives:

1. Understand the unique vulnerabilities immigrant seniors face, including barriers to reporting abuse and accessing resources
2. Be able to identify key immigration relief options available for abused seniors, such as U visas, VAWA, and humanitarian programs
3. Know best practices for cross-sector collaboration to protect and advocate for immigrant elders in legal, medical, and financial settings

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10. Rights of Older Adult Tenants Experiencing Abuse | Presented by:

• Taylor Campion, Senior Managing Attorney, Family Violence Appellate Project’s (FVAP’s) Housing Safety and Justice program
• Leah Simon-Weisberg, JD, Executive Director, California Center for Movement Legal Services
• Victoria Snyder, Director of Legal Services, Contra Costa Senior Legal Services

Summary:
This presentation will include different options for older adult tenants experiencing abuse, including legal remedies to promote personal safety, making the rental unit safer, eviction defense, and rights regarding breaking a lease when personal safety is at risk.  The presentation will include a brief overview of different restraining order options, federal protections available under VAWA, state law protections and some local city ordinance protections available for older adults.
 
Objectives:

1. Know when the Violence Against Women Act does apply
2. Be able to use strategies for eviction defense when the eviction may be related to abuse
3. Understand the rights of a tenant to leave when experiencing abuse
4. Know the rights of tenants when abuse is conducted by landlord or manager including financial through illegal fees, rent increases or failure to maintain the unit.

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Gold
Campbell Green
Cotchett Pitre & McCarthy LLP
Stebner Gertler & Guadagni

Silver
Acuña Regli
Fennemore
Kazan Law
Private Fiduciary Association of California (PFAC)
Tileshop

Bronze
Anderson Yazdi Hwang Minton + Horn LLP
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform
Christine Sevier, Creating New Hope Senior Living Advisors
Fiduciary Accounting Services, LLC
Holland & Knight
IMT Associates
Law Office of Susan Kang Gordon
Mechanics Bank Wealth Management
Merrill – The Special Needs Team
Michael Stephens & Matthew Quamina, Probate and Trust Real Estate Specialists
Needham Kepner & Fish LLP
Senior Alternatives, Care Management & Home Care Services
Seniors At Home, Jewish Family and Children’s Services

Supporters
ARM Homes
De Vries Law
EverSafe
John Balquist of Turnstone Associates
Julie Menack, Fiduciary and Aging Life Care Manager (21st Century Care Solutions)
Merlander Company
True Link

State Bar of California MCLE (Attorneys and Professional Fiduciaries)
Classes are approved for a total of five and a half (5.25) hours of continuing education credit through Legal Assistance for Seniors (provider #2387) as authorized by the State Bar of California.

CA Association of Public Administrators, Public Guardians and Public Conservators
The sessions have been approved as outside training through the CAPAPGPC.

Board of Registered Nursing, and California Association of Marriage and Family Therapists (Through Institute on Aging)
• Institute on Aging is authorized to deliver the following CEs: BRN, CAMFT.
• Intermediate Level Courses: Basic knowledge of each specific content area is required, but you need not have in-depth knowledge or skills. The activities will provide information at a level beyond basic knowledge of the topics.
• In reference to IOA CEs: Continuing Education certificates will be delivered digitally, post event. An evaluation test will be provided to all CE registrants, who must then attend the entire program and turn in their evaluation at the end of the program in order to qualify for a CE certificate.
• Institute on Aging is approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing (BRN), Provider #CEP13610.
• CAMFT: Courses meet the qualifications of continuing education credit for LMFTs, LCSWs, LPCCs, and/or LEPs as required by the California Board of Behavioral Sciences. Institute on Aging’s CAMFT provider number is #135377.

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