Meritan Steps Up to Protect Memphis Seniors from Abuse and Neglect: A Story of Commitment and Community
Local & National News | March 09, 2025
Local & National News | March 09, 2025
Written by: JR Robinson
In a city known for its rich history, vibrant culture, and deep-seated community spirit, Memphis-based Meritan is making a difference in the lives of vulnerable seniors. Recently, Meritan stepped in to ensure the continuation of essential services for elder abuse victims when another local agency, the Family Safety Center, could no longer provide them. This transition highlights the critical need for elder abuse intervention and the unwavering dedication of organizations like Meritan to protect the well-being of our aging population.
The Silent Crisis of Elder Abuse
Elder abuse is a pervasive, often hidden problem affecting seniors across the nation, including right here in Memphis. Unlike domestic violence, which often involves younger adults in intimate partner relationships, elder abuse encompasses a broader range of mistreatment, including physical abuse, neglect, financial exploitation, and emotional or psychological harm.
According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60+ have experienced some form of elder abuse. However, this figure likely underestimates the true scope of the problem, as many cases go unreported due to fear, shame, or cognitive impairment on the part of the victim.
Several factors contribute to the vulnerability of seniors to abuse. Older adults may experience physical or cognitive decline, making them dependent on others for care and increasing their risk of exploitation. Social isolation, lack of support networks, and financial insecurity can further exacerbate their vulnerability.
In Memphis, as in other communities across the country, the aging population is growing, placing increasing demands on elder care services and resources. As more seniors require assistance with daily living, the risk of abuse and neglect rises, making it imperative to strengthen our community's response to this growing crisis.
Meritan: A Lifeline for Seniors in Need
For decades, Meritan has been a pillar of support for seniors and vulnerable adults in the Memphis community. Founded in 1961, the organization provides a comprehensive range of services designed to promote independence, well-being, and quality of life for older adults.
Meritan's services include:
With a dedicated team of professionals and a long-standing commitment to serving the community, Meritan has earned a reputation as a trusted resource for seniors and their families.
CREA: A Coordinated Response to Elder Abuse
In recent years, Meritan has played a key role in the Coordinated Response to Elder Abuse (CREA), a collaborative initiative aimed at addressing the complex problem of elder abuse in Memphis and Shelby County. CREA brings together a diverse group of stakeholders, including law enforcement, Adult Protective Services (APS), legal service providers, healthcare professionals, and community organizations, to provide comprehensive support to elder abuse victims.
CREA was initially funded by the Plough Foundation. The goal of CREA is not to replace services already in place, but to supplement them. The program ensures that any reports of suspected abuse are made to Adult Protective Services and that law enforcement is involved when the senior is in imminent danger.
CREA operates as a multidisciplinary team, with each partner contributing their expertise to address the unique needs of each victim. Law enforcement officers investigate reports of abuse, APS assesses the safety and well-being of victims, legal service providers offer legal assistance and representation, and healthcare professionals provide medical care and psychological support.
Meritan's role in CREA has been to provide specialized services tailored to the needs of elder abuse victims, including emergency housing, care coordination, and clinical assessments. With their expertise in senior care and their extensive network of community partners, Meritan has been instrumental in ensuring that elder abuse victims receive the comprehensive support they need to recover and rebuild their lives.
A Seamless Transition: Meritan Takes the Helm
When the Family Safety Center announced it could no longer provide CREA services, Meritan stepped up to ensure a seamless transition and prevent any disruption in services to vulnerable seniors.
"When I was approached about taking on the elder abuse services, I didn't ask why, because the 'why' doesn't matter," explains Melanie Keller, President and CEO of Meritan. "What matters to me is that we continue to do these services."
Over the course of just one month, Meritan worked diligently to transition the CREA program to its organization, including transferring staff, updating policies and procedures, and establishing new partnerships. The transition was so seamless that the care coordinators who were previously working at the Family Safety Center were able to continue their work without missing a beat.
"We worked collectively to make sure that those services went uninterrupted," says Keller.
Effective March 1st, Meritan became the central hub for CREA, responsible for coordinating all intake, care coordination, and outreach to partner agencies. In this role, Meritan serves as the point of contact for law enforcement, APS, legal service providers, and other stakeholders, ensuring that elder abuse victims receive timely and coordinated assistance.
Keller notes that Meritan has worked with the Family Safety Center in the past, "The Family Safety Center has been a great partner with us. We have been doing this...CREA was just a thought, right? Since inception, we have all worked together. They've been a great partner."
Addressing the Unique Needs of Elder Abuse Victims
Meritan's approach to elder abuse intervention is rooted in a deep understanding of the unique challenges and vulnerabilities faced by older adults. Unlike domestic violence victims, who may be able to seek refuge in a shelter or hotel, elder abuse victims often have complex healthcare needs, cognitive impairments, or mobility limitations that require specialized care.
"When we're talking about older victims, a lot of times they have very significant needs outside the scope of domestic violence," explains Keller. "They have healthcare needs, they might have cognitive problems. They can't just be put in a hotel or in a shelter."
To address these unique needs, Meritan provides specialized emergency housing that is equipped to accommodate seniors with disabilities or medical conditions. The organization also employs a team of healthcare professionals, including nurses and a medical director, who conduct clinical assessments and provide medical care to elder abuse victims.
One of the key components of Meritan's approach is to assess the cognitive capacity of elder abuse victims to ensure they can make informed decisions about their care. In cases where a senior lacks the capacity to make decisions, Meritan works with Memphis Area Legal Services, the Community Legal Center, and the Aging Commission to identify a conservator who can act in their best interest.
"Sometimes we have to work with Memphis Area Legal Services, the Community Legal Center, and the Aging Commission if we recognize that somebody doesn't have competency," explains Keller. "We have to identify someone that could step in and be that person's conservator and make those good decisions for them."
The CREA Hub
Today, Meritan is the CREA hub. As the hub, Meritan is where all intake and care coordination happen. Meritan reaches out to CREA partners like legal services, the Aging Commission, APS, law enforcement, and the fire department. CREA, in and of itself, is a collection of partners.
To make the transition possible, Meritan added two full-time care coordinators to their staff. These social workers handle all interactions. A program director is also taking a bigger role to ensure collaboration and communication. In addition to the two staff members, Meritan is incurring associated costs from a tech standpoint.
A Call to Action: Supporting Meritan's Vital Work
Meritan's commitment to protecting seniors from abuse and neglect is truly commendable. However, the organization cannot do it alone. As a non-profit organization, Meritan relies on the generosity of donors to fund its vital programs and services.
"There is no sustainable funding for this," explains Keller. "We raise it all through grants and donations."
With the addition of the CREA program, Meritan's budget has increased significantly, requiring the organization to raise an additional $150,000 per year to cover staff costs, emergency housing, and other essential expenses.
"My budget just doubled because I have taken on two new staff," says Keller. "And with the staff, it's not just the staff cost. We've had to absorb some of the tech costs, facilitating these meetings, setting up a database for the CREA clients."
Memphis has the opportunity to make a tangible difference in the lives of vulnerable seniors by supporting Meritan's work. Donations to Meritan can help the organization:
"It really is driven by donations, whether that's funding from the county, city, private foundations, and just the general public," says Keller. "Now I need twice as much as I used to need."
Donations can be made online through Meritan's website or by mail. Every contribution, no matter the size, can make a difference in the lives of seniors in need.
Working Together
When Meritan approaches the County Commission or the city for money, Keller believes there may be less confusion than in the past because Meritan now handles intake and care coordination, which was previously handled by the Family Safety Center.
Keller says, "It makes sense for continuity or to really make sure that the services are there. I mean, it makes sense to have it all at Meritan."
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Meritan has a big fundraising event around World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in June. The marketing piece is already being put together. The flyer will contain a recent story from a victim and their family members.
A Vision for a Safer Community
Meritan's dedication to protecting seniors from abuse and neglect is a testament to the organization's deep-rooted commitment to the Memphis community. By stepping in to continue the CREA program, Meritan has demonstrated its unwavering resolve to ensure that vulnerable seniors receive the support and protection they deserve.
"I feel like if you do the right thing for the right reason, the rest of the stuff will work itself out," says Keller. "I know that that's going to take effort and it's going to take being patient, but we went into this knowing that we were going to have to work that out."
As we look to the future, it is essential to strengthen our community's response to elder abuse by increasing awareness, improving prevention efforts, and providing comprehensive support to victims. By working together, we can create a safer, more compassionate community where all seniors can live with dignity and respect.
How CREA Works
CREA recognizes that, with an increasing aging population, elder abuse is under-reported. The organization emphasizes the collaboration and care team needed to supplement the process.
Keller says, "There is no availability for this emergency type of response. There is nobody else...we really collaborate with the hospital [and] with a long-term care facility."
CREA also works with the DA's office on the BAPIT team to determine if a situation is passive neglect. They determine if the neglect is because someone doesn't know how to care for someone or if the neglect is intentional.
What is Elder Abuse?
Elder abuse can include physical abuse. Keller recounts situations where someone had to be sent to the hospital to have a mattress surgically removed from their body.
"You know, when you've got to cut somebody out of the recliner and take part of the recliner with them to the hospital, you know, those are the kind of, you know, that's the physical abuse."
In addition to physical abuse, elder abuse can also include situations where a senior says they don't need assistance, but a clinician recognizes that things aren't adding up. The senior may not be making rational decisions. In those situations, Meritan will send Dr. Weber to perform a medical assessment. Dr. Weber has to sign off on an MD affidavit, which goes to court.
CREA and DV
CREA only serves those who are 60 and older. If someone has a DV case and they are over 60, then they would also refer. Meritan is not serving 20, 30, or 40 year olds who have been affected by domestic violence.
Final Thoughts
Meritan's stepping up to take on CREA services when the Family Safety Center could no longer provide them is a testament to their commitment to the seniors of Memphis. Elder abuse is a serious issue, and Meritan is providing necessary services to protect vulnerable adults. By supporting Meritan, Memphis can help ensure that these services continue.
345 Adams Avenue Memphis, TN 38103 · 9017660600
