Alaska: New Task Force Focuses on Stopping Abuse of Elders, Vulnerable Adults

Focused on Alaska's justice system's response to elders and other vulnerable adults, Alaska Supreme Court Chief Justice Dana Fabe established an Elder Task Force.

The Elder Task Force will be made up of eleven members who represent the legal and social services community and have expertise in elder law issues.

They will address issues of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of Alaska's elder population.

In a statement through the Alaska Court System, Chief Justice Fabe said  "As our society ages, the court must be prepared to respond to the functional limitations and changes in capacity associated with longevity. I am hopeful that the Elder Task Force will be able to make specific recommendations for reforms in the way the court handles these cases, in particular addressing improvements to the adult guardianship and conservatorship system and the training we provide to guardians."

The group will be chaired by Alaska Supreme Court Justice Daniel Winfree.

Here are the names of the Elder Task Force:
Alaska Supreme Court Justice Daniel Winfree, Chair
Anchorage Superior Court Judge Eric Aarseth
Fairbanks Superior Court Judge Bethany Harbison
Juneau Superior Court Judge Philip Pallenberg
Anchorage Magistrate Judge Jack Duggan
Anchorage Magistrate Judge Una Gandbhir
Alaska Court System Deputy Director Doug Wooliver
Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority Executive Director Jeff Jessee
Office of Public Advocacy Director Richard Allen
Chair of the Elder Section of the Alaska Bar Association Ilona Bessenyey
Court Visitor Marieann Vassar

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New Task Force Focuses on Stopping Abuse of Elders, Vulnerable Adults