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Elder Abuse

The number of people aged 65 or older will double by 2030 in the United States, which means that courts are facing more cases involving elder abuse. NCSC created the Elder Abuse and the Courts Working Group to improve how courts respond to elder abuse and neglect. The Working Group’s first national meeting in 2006 brought together judges, criminal justice agencies, adult protective services, advocacy and legal organizations, and government officials. The meeting resulted in five recommendations to improve the courts’ response to elder abuse: encourage judicial leadership; increase judicial and court awareness of elder abuse; train judges and court staff; improve court documentation of elder abuse; and encourage funding agencies to provide adequate resources.