Joy is a foremost expert on elder abuse and developing evidence-based screening protocols in long term care. Learn about her role spearheading spiritual engagement, and why connecting to something bigger is critical for happiness and well-being. About Joy Joy is the Vice President of Elder Justice and Spiritual Engagement at RiverSpring Living, and Director and Managing Attorney of The Weinberg Center for Elder Justice at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale. Joy co-founded The Weinberg Center in 2004. She was previously Director of Elder Abuse Services at the Pace Women’s Justice Center and an Assistant District Attorney in Manhattan, where she served for eight years. Joy is a frequent speaker and writer on the issue of elder abuse and elder justice, including to the United States Senate, Special Commission on Aging. Screening for elder abuse detection in health care and legal systems has been a priority for Joy. In addition to developing evidence-based screening protocols in long-term care, Weinberg Center Risk and Abuse Prevention Screen (WC-RAPS), she recently co-authored and published two research papers relating to evidence-based screening for elder abuse. Joy’s work in long-term care also includes an active role in the creation of sexual expression policies for residents, a resilience/well-being program for caregivers, and a fresh look at death and dying in long-term care. Joy also developed a unique domestic violence prevention and intervention program for all employees of the Hebrew Home at Riverdale. Like the Weinberg Center itself and many of its innovative projects, this program is easily replicable. Joy was a founder of the Elder Abuse Committee on the Elder Law Section of the New York State Bar Association. In 2017, Joy was awarded the National Crime Victims Service Award by the United States Department of Justice. In 2016, she was recognized with an award of Distinction in Public Service by the New York Law Journal, and in 2010 she received The New York State Bar Association award for Excellence in Public Service. Joy is also a certified ISHTA yoga instructor and teacher of breathing and meditation. Key Takeaways One out of ten older adults experience abuse in their lifetime. Most of the perpetrators are family members. Financial exploitation is the most prevalent form of abuse. Elder abuse shelters work well in long-term care communities because they are built around the needs of older people. At River Spring Living the shelter is “virtual” and integrated into the community at large. The SPRiNG Alliance, a network of regional elder abuse shelters, does extensive outreach and training to help communities start shelters. It is important to have conversations about end-of-life and long-term planning. As a culture we are too scared to talk about death and the dying process. Older people need to express themselves spiritually and connect to something bigger than themselves. It is a critical component of happiness and well-being. Part of spiritual engagement is getting out in nature.