- [Announcer] NPT Reports: Aging Matters.

(dramatic music) - My name is Kelah Guthrie.

I'm a victim witness coordinator for the 31st Judicial District.

My focus is on elder abuse, financial exploitation, and any crime that involves restitution.

(gentle music) I act as an advocate, act as a liaison between a victim or the family member of a victim and the district attorney's office or adult protective services or law enforcement or wherever I'm needed for that victim.

- I knew something was wrong.

This relative, they were taking advantage of my mother who has advanced dementia and really took advantage of my aunt.

- Unfortunately, if you are an older adult who is experiencing any type of cognitive impairment, has any type of diagnosis of cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's, dementia, then you are at greater risk for being targeted for financial exploitation, neglect, physical abuse.

You can ask a victim, "Is someone stealing from you?

"Is someone hurting you?"

They can't always tell you who the perpetrator is.

We do rely on people to report these crimes because we know that the victim can't advocate for themselves.

Family members, healthcare providers, financial institutions make these referrals so that we can stop the abuse.

- Adult protective services got involved.

That's when I got associated with the DA's office and been a huge help.

- If you are a victim of elder abuse or if you're the family member of a victim of elder abuse, you are not alone.

There are resources.

There is a support system within our community.

Well, one of the most common services would be CREVAA.

That is the Collaborative Response to Elder and Vulnerable Adult Abuse.

They can help individuals pay their bills.

They can help individuals buy groceries.

They can help get home health services in the home.

There are so many things that CREVAA can help people do.

We're here to give you resources, and we're here to see you through the process.

- The biggest reward out of all this was I was able to see an improvement in my mother's quality of life.

She's doing very well.

(gentle music)