A recent gathering at Yale Law School illuminated the pressing issue of elder abuse and financial exploitation among Americans aged sixty and above. As life expectancy increases, so does the incidence of elder abuse, with one in ten seniors experiencing some form of mistreatment, including physical abuse and financial fraud.
Abbe Gluck ’96 LAW ’00, the founding faculty director of the Solomon Center for Health Law and Policy at Yale Law School, described elder abuse as a critical yet “intensely under-discussed” issue. To address this concern, the Solomon Center hosted an event titled “Innovating Elder Justice: New Ways of Using Law, Medicine, and Technology to Address Abuse and Financial Exploitation in an Aging Society” on Feb. 16. The event brought together members of the Yale Law School community and individuals from across Connecticut for panel discussions led by legal and medical experts, with Sen. Richard Blumenthal LAW ’73 delivering the keynote address.
Discussions at the event focused on mechanisms to prevent elder abuse and fraud targeting elderly Americans. Gluck highlighted innovative solutions presented during the panels, including new screening tools in emergency departments, domestic violence initiatives, and apps designed to alert family members of unusual bank account activity.
Law School Dean Heather Gerken emphasized the importance of elder justice within the legal landscape, noting the growing relevance of this area of law as life expectancy rises. She highlighted the Adrienne C. Drell and Franklin W. Nitikman Elder Law Project, launched by the Solomon Center in 2019-2020, which aims to explore aging and the law through academic, experiential, and theoretical lenses.
During the event, Gluck lauded Yale Law School as the first among top law schools in the nation to host a conference on elder justice, describing it as “remarkable.” The discussion with Sen. Blumenthal delved into the role of government in protecting elderly people, particularly in addressing standards in assisted living facilities and combating online financial exploitation.
Sen. Blumenthal emphasized the bipartisan effort needed at the federal level to address elder law issues, citing initiatives like the Elder Abuse Prevention and Protection Act. He advocated for reforms in conservatorship laws and increased federal oversight in nursing homes and assisted living facilities to ensure uniform standards and accountability.
The event also featured panel discussions exploring factors leading to elder abuse and strategies for prevention, including the intersection of law and technology. Panelists emphasized the importance of addressing ageism and financial vulnerability among older adults.
David Owen, a staff writer at the New Yorker, concluded the event by sharing a personal account of his mother’s experience falling victim to a scam. He highlighted the challenges in reporting elder fraud and stressed the need for improved accessibility in reporting mechanisms.
The gathering underscored the urgency of addressing elder abuse and exploitation, with participants advocating for greater awareness and policy reforms to protect vulnerable seniors. As World Elder Abuse Awareness Day approaches on June 15, the conversation around elder justice continues to gain momentum.