Professors and Police Collaborate to Address Elder Abuse
April 18, 2016
Michigan State University professors and the Lansing Police Department (LPD) are working together to address elder abuse and neglect.
The incidents of elder abuse and neglect are a concern for both the police department and the community. They not only seriously affect the health and wellbeing of vulnerable older adults, but they can also strain ties among family and community members. The abuse, if not identified early and responded to properly, can also destroy the trust between the community and police.
This study to assess healthcare and service needs of senior citizens is being led by Carolyn Pickering, a College of Nursing assistant professor who develops elder abuse and neglect prevention programs, and Christopher Maxwell, a School of Criminal Justice professor who studies the criminal justice system’s response to domestic violence.
The partnership will facilitate investigation of ways to further enhance the criminal justice system’s response to elder abuse and neglect in the Lansing area. The project involves contacting older adults who have had an encounter with the police and completing interviews with them or their family members.
“With older adults remaining in their homes as they age, it’s important to ensure that community and social support services, such as the criminal justice system, are able to meet the needs of the growing older adult population,” Pickering said. “This project is another step in helping the Lansing Police Department to identify how to assist older adults in the community.”
If you are an older adult who has had an encounter with police, you may hear from Pickering and her team. Persons selected to participate will receive a letter from the MSU College of Nursing inviting them to partake. “They may also receive a phone call or a research assistant may visit them in person at their home. We don’t want anyone to be left out, such as those with dementia or who don’t have phones, so we will use several methods to contact senior citizens living in Lansing,” stated Pickering.
The goals of the interviews are to learn about the health and social support needs of older adults, and identify ways the police can enhance their response to serve better the community. MSU is supporting this project and everyone who is interviewed will receive $25.
The LPD, consisting of 202 officers, serve the City of Lansing, a diverse community with over 114,000 residents including over 10,000 older adults, some residing in the city's many senior housing complexes. LPD is a strong believer in community policing, value community engagement, and are always striving to build strong community partnerships to keep the city safe.
The police department is actively addressing elder abuse and neglect cases and recently completed a project funded by the U.S. Department of Justice which focused on strengthening the community's response to elder abuse and neglect. Although the department has made great progress, it recognizes the need to continue exploring innovative and data-driven strategies to address the problem of elder abuse and neglect in the community.
