Assemblyman Joseph D. Morelle, D-Irondequoit, was joined by advocates for the elderly as he announced legislation aimed at protecting senior citizens from abuse by caregivers. Under current law, the term “caregiver” only applies to paid or court-ordered aides. Morelle’s bill expands that definition to include all individuals, including volunteers and family members, responsible for the health and well-being of an elderly person.
“Anyone who neglects, injures, defrauds or otherwise harms a senior entrusted to their care must face the consequences of their actions, and we must give law enforcement the tools to make that happen,” Morelle said.
“With this, we close a dangerous loophole that leaves far too many of our elderly vulnerable to abuse, a situation more common than the public may realize.”
Morelle said his bill is based in part on a recent study conducted by Lifespan of Greater Rochester Inc., in conjunction with the New York City Department for the Aging and Cornell University. The report found that 141 out of 1,000 older New Yorkers have experienced abuse since turning age 60, and that nearly 90 percent of those responsible were not paid health care workers.
“The New York State Elder Abuse Prevalence study Lifespan released in 2011 confirmed that elder abuse occurs in every neighborhood regardless of demographics. The study also confirmed that in the majority of abuse and financial exploitation cases, the perpetrators are family members, friends and neighbors – often, allegedly, helping to ‘care’ for the victim,” said Ann Marie Cook, Lifespan President and CEO.
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Morelle Announces Bill to Strengthen Legal Protections Against Elder Abuse in New York State
Good - the idea is to keep people at home rather than facilities if at all possible, so protections are needed.
ReplyDeleteProtections are also needed against court-appointed guardians and conservators who do even more damage to families and vulnerable people.
ReplyDeletejust a few days ago I was sent the study -- assisted by Cornell Uiversity -- which I imagine this NY Assemblyman cites for his legislation.
ReplyDeleteInterestingly I noted that the study relied on and interviewed "elders in the community" and social service service providers. The elder's in the community complained most about financial exploitation and the social service service providers reported more cases based on "psychological abuse".
Omitted from the equation and the interview pool for the Cornell Study where elders already in the system including those in nursing homes and residential facilities.
So, once again -- those in the system who have no voice, still have no voice --