In response to the increase in elder abuse cases, one New York City hospital is taking a new initiative. Doctors at the Montefiore Medical Center are becoming proactive; they have launched a program to train physicians and caregivers to better detect signs of abuse and to guide victims to helpful social services.
The Center has assembled a team of geriatric specialists to train faculty and act as consultants. In addition to the program, the New York City Council is considering a bill that would establish a toll-free elder abuse hotline, similar to those in place for domestic violence victims. If passed, the law also would mandate that senior center employees and city-funded senior-service providers get specific training to detect abuse.Â
The program is funded by a one-year, $150,000 grant from the Caring Commission of UJA UJA-Federation of New York, and could be extended for two more years. The program aims to train the 180 medical students who work at Montefiore each year.Â
By educating a new generation of physicians, workers at Montefiore hope to take a proactive and precautionary approach to detecting nursing home abuse.