One State's Efforts to Address Senior Abuse

The Sunflower Foundation recently awarded a $200,000 grant to the Center for Practical Bioethics to develop and recommend research-based strategies for detecting, addressing, and preventing senior abuse in Kansas, reports Health Affairs . The state's efforts have stressed effective adult protective services and sufficient law enforcement response. Prosecutors at every level are providing visible leadership and prosecuting senior abuse cases in urban and rural areas, and the attorney general is working to improve state law and understands the value of public education. However, prosecution always happens too late, and citizens must urge professionals of all types to look for abuse, identify people at risk, and respond. Some responses require notifying adult protective services, and community professionals can themselves address victim or caregiver depression, isolation of seniors, recognition of cognitive or physical impairment, and planning for safety. There also must be more service options and more funding, especially for those services targeted to people at highest risk for abuse or neglect. Scientists can further the senior abuse field by studying problems and practical solutions. Funding priorities for government agencies and the private sector should concentrate on prevention by better targeting risk.