Challenging Ageism, Ableism and Abuse

Disclaimer

Throughout the MPA process, more than 100 proposals were developed thanks in particular to thousands of hours of work by external stakeholders and members of the public. These proposals and the MPA Council commentary are being submitted to the Governor and shared with policymakers and the public to inform policymaking. These proposals represent a starting point for discussion. Further discussion is necessary between relevant state agencies and stakeholders to both refine these proposals and assess which may be appropriate to adopt and implement.

Summary

Encourages implementing the recommendations contained in the final report of the, “2021 New York State Elder Abuse Summit Seeking Solutions: Elder Abuse - Creating a Clear Vision of Where We Go From Here,” examining opportunities for collaboration among agencies on training and programs addressing ageism, as well as establishing an Elder Justice Coordinating Council consisting of state agency representatives that work on elder justice.

Justification

Financial exploitation, abuse and scams negatively impact the wellbeing of older adults. Coordination amongst state agencies and other service providers are working to address elder abuse via the Elder Justice Coordinating Council will allow for less siloed efforts to target solutions to abuse and exploitation affecting older New Yorkers. Mandated ageism and adult abuse trainings are needed to enhance knowledge about adult abuse and ensure that risk factors are widely understood and preventable. To ensure effective service, collaboration, and efficient intervention, an inventory of state programs that address adult abuse should be created by relevant state agencies.

Full Proposal

Address ageism, ableism and abuse by:

• Establishing an Elder Justice Coordinating Council (the Council) consisting of state agency representatives working in the realm of elder justice. The Council will also consist of representatives from local governments (including county-based AAAs and APS), aging and human service providers, underserved populations, faith-based organizations, law enforcement, District Attorney’s offices, legal service providers, the Association on Aging in New York, stakeholders, advocates, coalition members, researchers, program managers/developers, policy makers, and any other group or entity relevant to its work.
• Implementing the recommendations contained in the final report of the “2021 New York State Elder Abuse Summit Seeking Solutions: Elder Abuse - Creating a Clear Vision of Where We Go From Here,” which focuses on marginalized/underserved populations.
• Requiring ageism training for all State employees to prevent and address ageism in the administration of public programs.
• Requiring training on adult abuse for professionals working with older adults (age 60 and over) and vulnerable/dependent adults of any age (e.g., adults who are incapacitated or have a cognitive or physical impairment). 
• Directing NYSOFA and other relevant state agencies:
  • Create an inventory of each state agency’s programs/initiatives that address adult abuse, scams, neglect, and exploitation, including financial exploitation and perpetration via artificial intelligence (AI).
  • Identify government and community-based programs/initiatives that are effective at serving their clients and include them in the inventory described in 1 above.
  • Develop best practices on:
    • Effectively serving clients.
    • Promoting effective collaboration and client connections between APS, county Offices for the Aging, community-based service providers, domestic violence programs, civil legal service providers, and any other entity the Council deems appropriate.
    • Assisting clients who decline or may not be ready to accept recommended services.
    • Addressing scams and exploitation perpetrated through AI.

MPA Council Commentary

This proposal is categorized as long-term. This proposal may require statutory and regulatory changes for the development of the Council and implementation of required trainings. It would require the collaborative development of an appropriate curriculum and training program; NYSOFA could facilitate collaboration between the relevant state agency partners and service providers.