San Diego State University was one of two agencies in the country to receive a grant for research to help combat elder abuse.
The Huguette Clark Family Fund for the Protection of Elders awarded the university’s School of Social Work with $26,000.
The school is planning to create an online training program for those who work in the Adult Protective Services field. It will focus on financial exploitation and the act of placing undue influence on an elder.
“Because it’s a complex subject,” said Lori Delagrammatikas, a San Diego State program manager in a news release, “there needs to be more training for professionals on how to prevent it and how to identify it when it’s taking place.”
The program, set to be ready in the fall, will include interactive elements and real-life scenarios, according to SDSU.
The Philadelphia Corp. for Aging was the other recipient. The Huguette fund focuses on financial abuse of elders.