Elder and Disabled Abuse Unit

As part of the office’s Family Protection Bureau, the Elder and Disabled Abuse Unit is a team of prosecutors and victim witness advocates dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of abuse against the elderly and the disabled.  

An “elder adult” is anyone over the age of 65 and a “disabled adult” is anyone over the age of 18 who is impaired due to a physical disability, physical illness, mental illness or mentally deficiency.

Every year there is an estimated 2.1 million elderly and disabled Americans that fall victim to abuse and neglect and studies show that for everyone case that is reported, there are approximately 5 other cases that are not reported.

Elder and disabled abuse can be:
• physical abuse
• emotional or verbal abuse
• sexual abuse
• financial exploitation
• caretaker neglect
• self-abuse, when a senior or disabled person is living alone and doesn't properly care for him/herself

Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs is a state operated and state funded office that works to develop and manage comprehensive community based programs aimed to help ensure the dignity and independence of elderly persons. Elder Affairs provides state and federally funded services to frail elders, the disabled and family caregivers.

LEAPS Program

In 2008, DA Leone established the LEAPS (Leaders in Elder Abuse Prevention) Initiative in an effort to pull together agencies and health care providers responsible for the care of senior citizens.  Members of the LEAPS program work to identify seniors who may be the subject of abuse or who are living in at-risk situations and assure that they are offered the proper care and services to prevent negative situations from developing.  The various groups also engage in trainings and information sessions to assure that all members are up-to-date on proper techniques and strategies to protect elders.  

The purpose of the LEAPS initiative is to assure that all members of the group are trained to identify those early signs of abuse and then are aware of the proactive services that can be provided to alleviate those negative situations. 

To read a press release announcing the LEAPS Initiative, please click here. 

SPEERS Program

In 2009, DA Leone established the SPEERS (Serving & Protecting Every Elder Resident) Initiative that works to serve elders by forming a partnership with long term independent and assisted living facilities to ensure that those residents receive services and protective benefits that may not otherwise be aware of due to their ability to live without fill time care.

To read press releases on elder abuse prevention events hosted by DA Leone, please click here and here. 

To read a MDAO guide on preventing and responding to elder abuse and neglect, please click here.

Helpful Links and More Information

Massachusetts Executive Office of Elder Affairs
Reporting Suspected Abuse
Massachusetts Laws for protecting the elderly and disabled
 

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