Description:CELJ’s Elder Abuse Prevention Unit is committed to helping older adults who are in abusive situations. These situations can involve physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, sexual abuse and neglect. A variety of civil legal services are offered, including obtaining orders of protection, using the civil legal system to stop existing exploitation and recover stolen assets, revocation and drafting of powers of attorney, safety planning and connection with services. This unit assists older adults who reside in Erie, Niagara, Orleans, Genesee, Wyoming, Allegany, Chautauqua and Cattaraugus counties. There are no income restrictions. In addition, this unit is a frequent presenter on elder abuse issues. To find out if you qualify for our services, or to learn about preventing elder abuse, you can call our intake line at 716-853-3087 (or toll free at 844-296-6404).
Other programs offered are Elder Advocacy, Enhanced Multidisciplinary, and COVID-19 Scams Taskforce.
The Elder Advocacy Program (EAP) offers a multi-disciplinary, community response to elder abuse and exploitation. Serving individuals aged 55 and older in Chautauqua and Cattaraugus Counties, the EAP acts as a single point-of-entry for survivors of elder abuse.
Enhanced Multidisciplinary Teams (E-MDTs) are a partnership among public, profit and non-profit organizations, with the goal of working collaboratively to improve the process of protecting victims of financial exploitation and abuse, as well as improve the outcomes of complex elder abuse cases. The addition of a forensic accountant to assist in the accounting of stolen funds, and a geriatric psychiatrist to help with determinations of capacity, is what makes it an “enhanced” model for elder abuse case coordination.
Thanks to the Erie County Department of Social Services, the Center for Elder Law & Justice is leading a COVID-19 Scams Taskforce to serve as a hub for information and resources related to fraudulent activities surrounding the health pandemic. Please contact us at (716) 853-3087 for more information, to report a scam, or to schedule a presentation.