1. Ten Tips for Judicial Training on Elder Abuse
Honorable John E. Conery
District Court Judge
16th Judicial District Court, State of Louisiana

2. Tip 1: Determine Definition of Elder Abuse
Definitions vary
Specific “elder abuse” statute
Falls under “vulnerable adult” statute
Can include disability
Can include physical, emotional, sexual, financial, neglect or abandonment, or self-neglect
Civil or criminal penalties

3. Tip 2: Define Your Audience
Consider judges from all types jurisdiction courts as a possible audience for training, including but not limited to:
Traffic, domestic violence, family law, guardianship, criminal and civil
Magistrates, hearing officers, court referees and commissioners
Both trial court and appellate court judges should receive training

4. Tip 3: Get to Know Your Audience
Consider doing a needs assessment
Current level of knowledge on elder abuse
Issues presenting challenges before the Court
Type of court jurisdiction
Topics they need more info on
Develop measurable learning objectives for training
Plan to measure learning at end of training

5. Tip 4: Plan an Elder Abuse Judicial Seminar
Request your State Judicial Educator or Training Director coordinate planning
Determine block of time available
If limited, suggest 1-3 hour block on upcoming judicial training
If available, suggest 1-2 day more in-depth training
Integrate interactive learning – roundtable discussions, small group exercises, videos, scenarios, etc.

6. Tip 5: Identify Content and Materials
Research available program agendas from other state or national programs
Request materials from other programs identified
Incorporate pertinent statutes and case law
Highlight promising practices – e.g., Elder Justice Centers, Elder Protection Court, Elder Protection Orders, etc.

7. Tip 6: Use Trained Judges as Faculty
Use trained judges for specific topics and/or to lead group discussions where possible
Develop structure of training as a potential “Train the Trainer” seminar
Include judges from all types of court jurisdiction – elder abuse cuts across all of them

8. Tip 7: Focus on the Following Topics
Elder Abuse Training should include segments on at least the following suggested topics:
Definitions of Elder Abuse and overview
Prevalence of Elder Abuse and need for judicial recognition and intervention
The aging process, capacity, competency and consent
Typical perpetrators and victims
Possible causes and danger signs

9. Tip 7: Focus on the Following Topics (cont’d)
Caregiver stress
Power and control dynamics similar to domestic violence
Undue influence
Cultural issues, judicial bias and proper judicial demeanor
Courtroom and courthouse accommodations
Judge as catalyst for community resource co-ordination

10. Tip 8: Select Final Topic(s)
Use needs assessment results and time available for training to guide final selection(s)
Determine scope of focus for training
For example, elder abuse issues, elder financial abuse issues or both
General overview or specific topics
Consider type of other faculty and expertise needed – medical, prosecution, victim services, etc.

11. Tip 9: Evaluate and Revise Training
Develop a training evaluation tool to measure learning as a result of training
State judicial educators can provide examples
Ask what worked, suggested improvements to increase learning, additional resources, etc.
Collect completed evaluations at point of training
Use results to revise and improve training

12. Tip 10: Stay Informed
Emphasize importance of judicial training - as aging population increases, caseloads will increase
Advocate for institutionalized judicial training on elder abuse
Encourage passage of Elder Justice Act in Congress and access resources that may become available

13. Resources and Links National Center for State Courts
The Center for Elders and the Courts for updated information and resources for courts
Elder Abuse Resource Guide
National Center on Elder Abuse
National Council on Juvenile and Family Court Judges

14. Additional Information & Acknowledgements
For additional tips, resources, and education, visit NCSC’s Center for Elders and the Courts.
This program was made possible through a generous grant from The Retirement Research Foundation.