WASHINGTON, D.C. — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has unveiled a government-wide strategy aimed at reducing elder abuse, financial exploitation and fraud, pairing the initiative with a national awareness campaign targeting scams that disproportionately affect older Americans.
The Federal Elder Justice Action Plan, released through the Elder Justice Coordinating Council, establishes a framework for 17 federal departments and agencies to coordinate efforts to prevent abuse, improve reporting, strengthen enforcement and connect older adults with support services.
The initiative comes as federal officials warn that financial exploitation remains one of the fastest-growing threats facing older Americans. HHS estimates scammers steal approximately $28 billion from seniors annually, while research suggests roughly one in 10 older adults experiences abuse, neglect or exploitation each year.
The new plan builds on recommendations first issued by the Elder Justice Coordinating Council in 2014 and outlines measurable steps for federal agencies to prevent harm, disrupt exploitation schemes and improve accountability.
“President Trump and I are committed to ensuring every American can age with dignity, independence, and security,” HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said. “Scammers steal an estimated $28 billion from older Americans each year.”
Alongside the action plan, HHS launched the “Never EVER” public awareness campaign, which focuses on helping consumers identify government and business imposter scams.
Federal officials said the campaign is designed to educate older adults and caregivers about common tactics used by fraudsters, including requests to move money to supposedly “protect” it, demands for unusual forms of payment, or requests for personal information such as Social Security numbers in exchange for grants or benefits.
According to HHS, Adult Protective Services programs receive approximately 1.3 million reports annually involving suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of older adults. Officials noted that many incidents are never reported, leaving victims and family caregivers to bear significant financial and emotional burdens.
Mary Lazare, principal deputy administrator for the Administration for Community Living, said the initiative is intended to move beyond awareness efforts and improve coordination among agencies responsible for protecting older Americans.
“The Federal Elder Justice Action Plan will expand the EJCC’s work even further by moving awareness into positive outcomes — strengthening prevention and reporting, improving coordination across partner agencies, and connecting older adults and caregivers to the wraparound supports they need before lasting harm occurs,” Lazare said.
The Elder Justice Coordinating Council, chaired by the HHS secretary, was established to coordinate federal efforts addressing elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. The council includes representatives from departments and agencies involved in healthcare, law enforcement, consumer protection and aging services.
Federal officials said the action plan provides a shared roadmap for agencies as the nation’s older population continues to grow and financial crimes targeting seniors become increasingly sophisticated.
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