Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt announced that he is establishing a council to assist in efforts to combat abuse of elder and dependent adults in the state. The Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Prevention Council will be tasked with:

• Taking testimony and gathering information about elder and dependent adult abuse in Kansas.
• Establishing subcommittees or working groups on topics related to elder and dependent adult abuse.
• Assisting in developing local or regional multidisciplinary teams to prevent, detect and investigate abuse, neglect or exploitation of elder or dependent adults.
• Coordinating and engaging in prevention activities for education, outreach and awareness, including the development of a publicly available clearinghouse of information on elder or dependent adult abuse prevention.

The National Association of Attorneys General under Schmidt’s leadership as president in 2017-2018 focused on strengthening efforts nationwide to combat elder abuse through its initiative “Protecting America’s Seniors: Attorneys General United Against Elder Abuse.” That year-long initiative culminated with a national summit on elder abuse hosted by Schmidt in Manhattan last year. “The number of Kansans age 65 and older is projected to double over roughly the next generation,” Schmidt said. “Sadly, along with that will come more tragic cases of physical, emotional and financial abuse of those who are vulnerable. At the attorney general’s office, we have been working to strengthen our capacity to prevent, detect, investigate and prosecute cases of elder and dependent adult abuse and to help local authorities do so as well. Formally bringing together key stakeholders with expertise in preventing the abuse of elder and dependent adults is our next important step in preparing for this ongoing demographic change in our state.”