Benefits of an Elder Protection Team
To build a solid foundation for your tribal Elder Protection Team (EPT), the EPT Coordinator will want to know what Elder service agencies are available in the tribal community. The creation of a tribal EPT will allow agencies to share the burden of investigating and efficiently responding to cases of Elder abuse in a timely manner. Team members can support each other’s roles, which decreases additional trauma to the Elder and allows them to continue as a valued and respected member of the tribal community. Elders benefit from EPTs by:
- Gaining access to coordinated services no matter how the Elder enters the system,
- Receiving concurrent services across multiple agencies specifically for the Elder’s needs,
- Increasing awareness of available services which improves access to all programs the Elder needs, and
- More positive outcomes for Elders through tribal agency collaboration.
Resources
- Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse & Neglect, Human Service Department, County of Sonoma (2012). A collaborative approach to multidisciplinary teams in Sonoma County.
