Understanding Elder Abuse and Prevention, with Lori Mars

Lori Mars, director of the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), joins the show this week to explore elder abuse, ageism, and what can be done to prevent both. AgingIN CEO Susan Ryan sits down with Lori to discuss the different forms of elder mistreatment, including physical, psychological, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as neglect and self-neglect, and why recognizing the signs matters.  Lori also explains how ageism can devalue older adults and create conditions that increase the risk of abuse. The conversation highlights the power of intergenerational connection, multidisciplinary approaches to elder justice, and programs that support caregivers and promote restorative justice. Lori also shares her personal journey into elder justice and the NCEA's work providing education, research and resources to professionals, families and the public. The message is simple: respecting the dignity and humanity of older adults is essential to preventing abuse. More about NCEA here: https://ncea.usc.edu