Protecting the Elderly from Undue Influence

with Lisa Nerenberg, MSW, MPH

Thanks to advancements in medical care, Americans are living much longer than we did in the past. With the benefits of a longer life, however, we must consider the rising issues of our aging population. In this installment of The Influence Continuum, I sat down with Lisa Nerenberg, who has dedicated her career to ensuring dignity and justice for this vulnerable and growing population, as well as safeguarding the rights of elders. She has emerged as a leading voice in the fight against elder abuse and undue influence against aging adults. Her extensive work includes overseeing studies on conservatorship in California — known in other states as adult guardianships — and authoring influential books on elder justice. It highlights the urgent need to protect the elderly from manipulation and exploitation.

A Noble Cause in Focus – Lisa Nerenberg’s Many Contributions to Elder Justice

Lisa was the founding executive director of The California Elder Justice Coalition. She now serves as the organization’s Director of Special Projects. She co-founded the San Francisco Consortium for Elder Abuse Prevention and the National Network for State Elder Justice Coalitions. Lisa has also served as a consultant to the San Francisco Superior Court on studies concerning undue influence. An expert in the field of elder abuse and ageism, she has presented at numerous conferences, testified before legislative committees, and served on multiple advisory boards. Showcasing her passion and expertise, Lisa has authored two influential books: Elder Justice, Ageism, and Elder Abuse (2019) and Elder Abuse Prevention (2008). These works offer comprehensive roadmaps for advancing individual rights and social justice in aging policies and strategies for preventing abuse and ensuring justice for older adults. Her current oversight of a study on conservatorship in California speaks to her ongoing commitment to safeguarding the rights of elderly individuals, particularly those at risk of losing their autonomy through legal means.