University of Colorado Anschutz
Vulnerable Elder Services, Protection and Advocacy Team (VESPA)
The University of Colorado Anschutz’s Vulnerable Elder Services, Protection, and Advocacy Team (VESPA) was established in January 2021 to provide elder abuse consultation services at University of Colorado Hospital and Denver Health. The VESPA Team is the only one of its kind in Colorado, and only 2nd in the nation to support, educate and consult with hospital partners concerning elder abuse cases.
Guiding Values
We believe:
- All people, regardless of age, should be able to live with dignity and free from abuse, neglect, or exploitation.
- Health care providers have a responsibility to advocate for older adults and their families and play an important role in identifying and treating abuse.
Mission
The VESPA team will provide a robust, coordinated, and consistent response, across our health systems, to patients and families experiencing elder maltreatment. To this end, we will improve: elder maltreatment recognition; reporting; evidence-based, trauma-informed interventions and treatment; and comprehensive follow-up and care coordination. We will also serve as a resource to providers, law enforcement, social services, and policy makers across our state and region to help improve care for older adults.
Our Funding
If you or someone you know are having a medical or psychiatric emergency or you believe they are in imminent danger, please call 911 or visit your nearest hospital.
In collaboration with our healthcare partners:
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VESPA
is grateful for a generous 2-year grant provided by the Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) and administered by the Colorado Division of Criminal Justice.
To ensure our Colorado communities continue to have the VESPA Team as a resource
please consider a donation through the
CU Anschutz Multidisciplinary Center on Aging's VESPA Fund
If you are a mandatory reporter (CRS 18-6.5-108) and suspect an at-risk elder (a person age 70 or older) or at-risk adult with intellectual and developmental disabilities is being abused, neglected or exploited, you must contact the law enforcement agency where the client resides to make a report within 24 hours.
University of Colorado Anschutz Multidisciplinary Center on Aging
12631 E. 17th Street, 8th Floor
Aurora, CA 80045
303.724.0832