Bergen County Gets $400k Grant To Fight Elder Abuse

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ - Bergen County has received a $400,000 federal grant to help fight abuse of one of the region's largest growing populations.

The county's 3-year grant - one of eight awarded nationwide through the Office on Violence Against Women - will boost training for police, prosecutors and judiciary in recognizing, investigating and prosecuting cases of elder abuse, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco said.

Only 1 in 24 cases of elder abuse are reported due to variety of factors, such as shame, fear or lack of knowledge of how to go about reporting it, officials said.

To help identify current gaps in service and overall awareness in the community, the county plans to conduct a county-wide assessment service that will be used to develop a plan to better help victims of elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation, officials said.

"Elder abuse awareness, education and training are vital to the protection and safety of the county’s large and growing senior population. Understanding risk factors, warning signs and available resources for reporting and assistance is just the beginning of the ongoing work to protect victims and successfully prosecute elder abuse offenders," the county executive said in a press release.

For more information on the program, contact the Bergen County Division of Senior Services at seniors@co.bergen.nj.us or 201-336-7400.