Iowa Legal Aid recently launched its new Elder Justice Innovation Project, a statewide initiative focused on identifying and preventing elder financial abuse.
Through this project, Iowa Legal Aid will collaborate with Iowa’s six Area Agencies on Aging to develop an enhanced screening tool, which Iowa Legal Aid staff will use to help identify potential financial exploitation of older Iowans. When older adults seek legal help, the screening tool will enable earlier detection of abuse and quicker intervention. When financial abuse is suspected, clients will be connected with a dedicated team of legal professionals and case management services to address the issue and reduce the risk of future harm.
In addition to direct service, the project includes robust education and outreach efforts to raise awareness of elder financial abuse among older Iowans, private attorneys, and Area Agency on Aging staff. Data and stories gathered through the project will inform a comprehensive white paper detailing findings, lessons learned, and results, with steps that can be replicated by other organizations.
“Iowa Legal Aid has a long history of standing up for older Iowans,” said Elizabeth Norris, Managing Attorney for the Hotline for Older Iowans. “This project will strengthen our ability to identify abuse early, provide meaningful support, and help ensure that older adults across Iowa can live with dignity and financial security.”
Elder abuse affects one in five older adults and more than one in four are victims of financial exploitation. Elder financial exploitation is the most common and fastest growing type of adult maltreatment and happens in a variety of ways. Older adults are less likely to report elder financial exploitation for several reasons, which can lead to more financial and legal problems. Iowa is ranked as the 18th oldest state and is home to 810,697 older adults (age 60 and older), which makes up approximately 20% of Iowa’s population.
This project represents a major step forward in protecting Iowa’s older residents and advancing the broader understanding of elder financial abuse across the state.
The Elder Justice Innovation Project is funded by a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Administration for Community Living.