It’s not always easy to recognize elder abuse when it happens to someone you love or care for. There are several types of elder abuse:

• Physical Abuse – An act, rough treatment or punishment that may result in injury, pain or impairment
• Psychological Abuse – Psychological, verbal or emotional abuse causing suffering, emotional pain, or distress
• Financial Exploitation – Illegal or improper use of an older person’s money or property
• Neglect and Abandonment – Intentional or unintentional failure or refusal to provide care or help to an older adult – an extreme form of neglect
• Sexual Abuse – Sexual contact or non-contact of any kind with an older person without agreement from that person

Of the above types of elder abuse, financial exploitation is exploding. Many of the perpetrators are able to remain anonymous thanks to the proliferation of internet scams such as promises of romance, IRS inquiries, sweepstakes and grandma scams. Moreover, many exploiters use nontraditional methods to steal from their elderly victims and then claim that the transaction represents either a gift or a loan.

If you or someone you know is a victim of elder abuse, help is available. Based on website information provided by the  Elder Justice Initiative created by the Department of Justice, New Jersey provides the following resources to combat elder abuse:

Type of Help	Program Name	Contact Information	Website
Adult Protective Services	New Jersey Adult Protective Services	Hotline: 609-588-6501	http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/home/adultpsp.html
Programs for Underserved Communities	The Pride Center of New Jersey	Phone: 732-846-2232	http://www.pridecenter.org/
Programs for Underserved Communities	ACLU: New Jersey		https://www.aclu-nj.org/
Programs for Underserved Communities	Lambada Legal: New Jersey		https://www.lambdalegal.org/states-regions/new-jersey/
Office on Aging	New Jersey Division of Aging Services	Phone: 1-800-792-8820 Hotline: 1-877-222-3737 Crisis Line: 1-800-792-9745	http://www.state.nj.us/humanservices/doas/home/
Department of Transportation	New Jersey Department of Transportation		http://www.state.nj.us/transportation/
Aging & Disability Resource Center	New Jersey Aging and Disability Resource Connection	Phone: 1-877-222-3737	https://www.adrcnj.org/
LTC Ombudsman	New Jersey Ombudsman	Phone: 877-582-6995	http://www.nj.gov/ooie/
Counseling	NAMI: New Jersey	Phone: 732-940-0991	http://www.naminj.org/
Crime Victims Compensation	New Jersey Crime Victims Compensation	Hotline: 1-877-658-2221	http://www.nj.gov/oag/njvictims/application.html
Local Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Programs	New Jersey Coalition Against Sexual Assault	Phone: 609-631-4450 Hotline: 800-601-7200 [email protected](link sends e-mail)	https://njcasa.org/
Local Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault Programs	New Jersey Coalition Against Domestic Violence	Phone: 609-584-8107 Hotline: 800-572-7233	http://www.njcedv.org/
Legal Aid	Womens Law: New Jersey		https://www.womenslaw.org/laws/nj
Legal Aid	Legal Aid: New Jersey	Phone: 888-576-5529	https://www.lsnj.org/
Legal Aid	New Jersey Bar Association	Phone: 732-249-5000 [email protected](link sends e-mail)	https://tcms.njsba.com/PersonifyEbusiness/default.aspx
Food Programs	Community Food Bank of New Jersey	Phone: 908-355-3663	http://www.cfbnj.org/
Elder Abuse Shelters	SeniorHaven for the Prevention of Elder Abuse	Phone: 855-455-0555	http://www.jewishhomefamily.org/services/elder-abuse/
State Office of Rural Health	Office of Rural Health (New Jersey)	Phone: 609-292-1495	https://www.state.nj.us/health/fhs/primarycare/rural-health/

 

RESOURCES INVOLVED IN AN ELDER ABUSE CASE

Adult Protective Services (APS)

A state social service program that can take reports of alleged abuse, or neglect/self-neglect of vulnerable adults age 18 or older. APS can assess and determine the needs of the elder abuse victim. Some professionals are mandatory reporters.

Programs for Underserved Communities

Programs designed to serve those areas or groups that are geographically isolated (such as isolated in a rural area); racial and ethnic minority populations; and populations underserved because of special needs (such as language barriers, disabilities, alien status, or age) by providing a range of services such as education, health and other support.

State Office of Rural Health (SORH)

SORHs have a core charge of providing technical assistance to rural health organizations, information dissemination of rural relevant information to key stakeholders and rural health entities, and providing coordination efforts for rural health activities to reduce duplication.

Office on Aging

Some states have an Office on Aging that coordinates state and federal services to older residents including but not limited to Area Agencies on Aging, which work with local service providers to deliver direct aging services (such as meals, transportation and in-home services) and may also provide information and referral/assistance, case management, benefits/health insurance counseling and family caregiver support programs.

Transportation

Some states may provide local transportation may have special rides (paratransit) for the elderly, and assist with transportation to court or to witness conferences.

Aging & Disability Resource Centers

Some states provide information on available services and support for those who are aging or who have a disability.

LTC Ombudsman

The long-term care (LTC) ombudsman advocates for the rights of nursing home or long-term care residents.   

Counseling

State departments of mental health, elder shelters, or local elder advocacy groups may provide information on counseling or support groups.

Crime Victims Compensation

The Office for Victims of Crime (OVC’s) VOCA Compensation Formula Grant Program reimburses victims for financial losses resulting from their victimization. OVC disburses these funds to supplement state programs that provide financial assistance and reimbursement to victims for crime-related expenses, including medical and dental care, counseling, funeral and burial expenses, and lost wages. Compensation programs may also reimburse victims for other types of expenses related to their victimization, such as travel, temporary lodging, crime scene cleanup, and dependent care.

Local Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault Programs

Domestic violence programs vary by state and may be able to assist older victims of domestic abuse.

Legal Aid

Legal aid may provide help in filing for a civil protective order, changing a will, appointing a power of attorney, or other legal matters.

Food Programs for Older Adults

The Older Americans Act Title III grants authorize programs for State and Community Programs on Aging; and the Title VI Grants authorize programs for American Indians, Alaskan Natives and Native Hawaiians. The purposes of these programs are to 1) reduce hunger and food insecurity, 2) promote socialization, 3) promote health and well-being, and 4) delay adverse health conditions. The intent is to make community-based nutrition services available to older adults who may be at risk of losing their independence and their ability to remain in the community.

The programs such as food banks provide health-promoting meals.

Elder Shelters

Some states have shelters that specialize in helping elder abuse victims.

For additional information concerning probate litigation, will contests and elder abuse actions, visit:

Will Contests and Probate Litigation