Mental Health Intervention for Elderly Abuse Victims

Despite increasing recognition of the epidemic of elder abuse, we continue to face barriers
helping abuse victims access and use elder abuse resolution services. In addition, many
victims suffer from concurrent mental health problems that prevent them from taking the
necessary steps to protect themselves. The proposed study will introduce a tailored
intervention, built on an evidence-based approach (Problem Solving Therapy), to be delivered
through a sustainable mental health program embedded in elder abuse services. The proposed
psychotherapy is a brief 8-session weekly intervention that combines problem-solving therapy,
anxiety management, and psycho education developed specifically for this population by this
team.

The objectives of the project are to: identify the mental health needs of elder abuse
victims, provide the mental health treatment, assess the impact of the treatment, and
facilitate conditions which will sustain the mental health program.

Inclusion Criteria:

- Client of the New York City Department for the Aging's (DFTA) Elderly Crime Victims
Resource Center

- Score of 10 or higher on the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) or Generalized
Anxiety Disorder 7-item scale (GAD-7)

Exclusion Criteria:

- Co-morbid psychiatric disorder other than unipolar non-psychotic major depression that
prevents participation in depression and anxiety screening

- Inability to speak or understand English

- Cognitive impairment that prevents participation in screening, as determined by
screening social worker