New York State Coalition on Elder Abuse -- A Statewide Elder Abuse Outreach Effort Managed by Lifespan of Greater Rochester Inc.

Formed by Lifespan to implement the New York State Elder Abuse Summit Action Agenda, the coalition is a multidisciplinary, statewide network of over 1,800 individuals, organizations and government agencies working together to protect older adults from abuse, neglect and exploitation. Through statewide outreach efforts, the Coalition serves as a catalyst for change, raising awareness and offering solutions for prevention and intervention through education, advocacy and research. Lifespan provides staff support for the Coalition. 

Lifespan's Emphasis on Elder Abuse Prevention

1986: Lifespan’s Elder Abuse Prevention program began in Monroe County.

1998: Lifespan's Elder Abuse Prevention service expanded into nine additional Finger Lakes counties.

1999: Lifespan launched It Shouldn’t Hurt to be Old, a public awareness campaign about elder abuse.

2004: Lifespan convened the first New York State Summit on Elder Abuse and launched the NYS Coalition on Elder Abuse. 

2006: Lifespan received a grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to train more than 1,200 first responders and probation officers to recognize, investigate and prosecute instances of elder abuse. 

2009: In response to the growing problem of financial exploitation of older adults, Lifespan piloted the use of a forensic accountant to assist with major financial exploitation cases. 

2010: Lifespan convened the second New York State Summit on Elder Abuse. 

2011: Lifespan and Weill Cornell released the first-ever statewide study of the prevalence of elder abuse.

2011: Lifespan received the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) Joanne Otto Distinguished Service Award for distinguished service, leadership and innovation as a leading force in elder abuse prevention.

2014: Lifespan launched Enhanced Multi-disciplinary Teams (E-MDTs) to fight financial exploitation of older adults. To date, E-MDTs have obtained more than $1,000,000 in restitution for victims. (As of 2017.)

2016: With funding from NYSOFA, Lifespan awarded elder abuse prevention mini-grant funding to 13 nonprofits throughout NYS. Support for these statewide efforts will continue into 2017 with an emphasis on financial exploitation, the fastest growing form of elder mistreatment.

2017: Lifespan continues to develop and expand the Upstate New York Elder Abuse Center through a series of monthly webinars about financial exploitation. One-on-one case consultations also provide problem solving and recommendations for professionals working on cases of financial exploitation with possible linkage to a forensic accountant.

Annually, Lifespan investigates and/or intervenes in more than 300 cases of elder abuse in ten counties. 

Lifespan is proud of its collaborations and public-private partnerships to help older adults live rich and meaningful lives free of abuse and mistreatment.

Taking On the Challenges of Longer Life

Lifespan is a nonprofit organization based in Rochester, New York. Lifespan was founded in 1971. Our more than 30 services help older adults take on the challenges and opportunities of longer life. Working on a $10 million budget with 150 staff members, the agency provides non-biased information and guidance for older adults and caregivers. All of Lifespan's services are provided in Monroe County, and others, including elder abuse prevention, Ombudsman, Alzheimer's caregiver services are provided in the Finger Lakes region.  

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