Answers in Aging
and Abuse
USC’s Center for Elder Justice brings together the wide-range of solutions, research, expertise, and projects aimed to bring awareness to elder mistreatment and abuse.
WORLD ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY IS JUNE 15TH!
EXPLORE OUR RECENT PROJECTS
See what experts, researchers, and partners across all schools and departments of the university are doing to eradicate elder abuse.
SOCIAL SERVICES
The Interview for Decisional Abilities (IDA 3.0-CA)
Adult Protective Service (APS) workers assess older adult clients for abuse and neglect and are asked to determine the client’s understanding of the risks they face so they can develop an intervention plan together.
Financial exploitation
Finance, Cognition, and Default Network in Aging (FCDNA)
The overall goal of this study is to examine characteristics of financial decision making in older age in relation to possible markers of cognitive decline, change in behavioral economic preferences, and brain imaging measures.
Multidisciplinary Teams
THE ELDER ABUSE CURRICULUM FOR MEDICAL RESIDENTS AND GERIATRIC FELLOWS
Researchers developed an Elder Abuse Curriculum comprised of five asynchronous modules, and one faculty facilitate module. The engaging, interactive curriculum is flexibly adapted to residency and fellowship programs and available at no charge.
Get Involved
It’s up to all of us to prevent and address elder abuse. Students, academic departments, policy makers, and advocates are encouraged to join us in taking a stand. Learn more about opportunities to participate in research and education to address elder mistreatment.

Remembering JUDITH D. TAMKIN
The National Center on Elder Abuse honors philanthropist Judith D. Tamkin who passed away on February 16th at the age of 92. Mrs. Tamkin was a staunch supporter of elder justice who had a profound and enduring impact on the field.
Her endowed gift supporting the biennial Tamkin International Symposia on Elder Abuse, the preeminent convening of elder abuse researchers, practitioners, and advocates, provides a forum for the exchange of critical ideas and novel practices within the field. Launched in 2015 with a gift from Mrs. Tamkin, the Symposia have inspired innovations, collaborations, and national policy. The Tamkin Scholars’ Award, which enables promising young scholars to attend the Symposia, has fueled the careers of numerous graduate students who have grown into acclaimed researchers. Mrs. Tamkin’s contributions have also supported the USC Center for Elder Justice, delivering critical information and resources to professionals and the public regarding elder mistreatment.
As Mrs. Tamkin’s generosity continues to propel the field and inspire innovation, her life, legacy, and passion for elder justice will always be remembered with gratitude by her friends at USC.Â
WEAAD 2023 Webinar: Trauma-Informed Practices to Address Abuse and Build Resilience
Jun 15, 2023 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM PT/ 1:30 – 3:00 PM ET
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Preventing and addressing elder abuse and building resilience in older adults requires a nuanced and trauma-informed approach. Trauma is a widespread issue that affects individuals in different ways. Older adults are exposed to multiple types of traumas over the lifetime as well as older adult-specific traumas, including the loss of spouse/ partner, social isolation, chronic illness or disability, change in living environment, and elder abuse. This panel webinar will discuss the cumulative and complex trauma histories of diverse older adults, how trauma relates to elder abuse, and strategies to provide culturally responsive and trauma-informed support.
Key Partners
Collaboration and partnership with core departments at the University of Southern California is what allows us to continue to grow and expand our research.

