Call on the US government to better protect the elderly

File photo: A therapy dog ​​visits an elderly man in a nursing home. — © Karen Graham

A researcher is calling for a new policy framework to help America’s aging population. This includes providing additional state support and preventing social abuse of the elderly.

Director of the Center for Gerontology and professor of human development and human sciences, Pamela Teaster, has been advocating for older adults and vulnerable populations for more than two decades, ensuring they are protected from abuse by those around them.

In 2023, Teaster began a new aspect of this work as part of the Health and aging policy Communitya year-long competitive national program based in Washington, DC

Fellows are selected each year through a national competition based on their commitment to health and aging issues, leadership potential and interest in influencing policy. Teaster was selected as a non-residential fellow for the 2023-2024 term – meaning she is not based in Washington, DC – and has been placed with the Administration for Community Living. Teaster will work with the administration through September, making occasional trips to the capital if necessary.

Teaster’s work comes at a time when the population of US citizens aged 65 and over is growing rapidly and various abuses against the population are at very high levels.

According to the National Council on AgingUp to 5 million elderly people are abused every year and the annual loss suffered by victims of financial abuse is estimated at at least $36.5 billion. Elder abuse includes physical, sexual, and emotional abuse; exploitation; neglect; and desolation.

Teaster’s work in this area began in 1997. She has conducted extensive research on elder abuse and policy, written seven books and hundreds of peer-reviewed articles, reports and book chapters, while also being instrumental in creating legislation for public guardianship programs in Virginia.

Teaster’s ongoing research focuses on several areas, including the mistreatment of older adults and vulnerable populations, end-of-life decision-making, public policy and affairs, ethical treatment, human rights issues, financial exploitation, and public and private guardianship.

During the new fellowship, Teaster hopes to gain a deeper understanding of the policy as it is applied in different contexts, while learning better methods to develop and implement programs and policies that benefit older and vulnerable populations.