MDT Collaboration to Protect Elderly and Dependent Adult Victims of Crime

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2023

One of the most horrific worldwide public health problems is elder and dependent adult abuse. Elder abuse is defined in California as a single, or repeated act, or lack of appropriate action, occurring within any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or distress to an older person or dependent adult. Although older and dependent adult abuse remains a hidden phenomenon, it has been recognized as a serious concern in the United States. To address this terrible issue, the San Bernardino County’s Department of Aging and Adult Services – Public Guardian (DAAS-PG) Adult Protective Services (APS) program, District Attorney (DA), Superior Court, and County Counsel have developed an innovative collaboration model to protect elderly and dependent adult victims of crimes, known as the Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT). The MDT is the collaboration of experts who organize and coordinate health and care services to meet the needs of individuals with complex care needs. The MDT meets once a month to bring together the expertise and skills of different professionals to assess, plan, protect and manage care of the most difficult cases jointly, through proactively supporting individual care goals.