National Elder Abuse Multidisciplinary Team (MDT) Survey Report: A Path Forward
Article Publication Date
Summary
The Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative conducted a National MDT Needs Assessment Survey to better understand the current landscape and future needs of elder abuse multidisciplinary teams. Administered in December 2025, the survey received 116 responses from professionals across disciplines and geographic settings, reflecting the diversity of MDT structures and communities served.
Findings show that MDTs are widely valued and increasingly essential to elder abuse response systems, with strong alignment around person-centered and trauma-informed practices. However, teams remain significantly under-resourced, facing funding limitations, workforce shortages, uneven infrastructure, and limited evaluation capacity. The results underscore an urgent need for coordinated national support, sustainable funding strategies, and shared tools to ensure MDTs are durable, measurable, and fully person-centered.
Findings show that MDTs are widely valued and increasingly essential to elder abuse response systems, with strong alignment around person-centered and trauma-informed practices. However, teams remain significantly under-resourced, facing funding limitations, workforce shortages, uneven infrastructure, and limited evaluation capacity. The results underscore an urgent need for coordinated national support, sustainable funding strategies, and shared tools to ensure MDTs are durable, measurable, and fully person-centered.