Legislation proposed in the Senate last week would
authorize federal assistance to state programs that seek to prevent
elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.
S. 2727, the Elder Protection and Abuse Protection Act,
was introduced last Tuesday by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), with
Sens. Al Franken (D-MN), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) and Bob Casey (D-PA)
co-sponsoring.
The bill would amend portions of the Older American Act of
1965 to define elder abuse as “the knowing infliction of physical or
psychological harm or the knowing deprivation of goods or services that
are necessary to meet essential needs or to avoid physical or
psychological harm.”
Under the bill, federal funds also would be appropriated
for states to establish elder abuse screening, reporting and support
programs.
“By requiring tough national standards for screening and
reporting, this bill would help hold bad actors accountable for their
deplorable behavior and provide critical protections for senior
citizens,” Blumenthal said in a statement on the bill.
Just 1 in 23.5 cases of elder abuse is ever reported due to
a lack of screening, awareness and prevention resources, according to
the bill. The mortality rate of seniors who fall victim to elder abuse
is three times higher than those who don't experience elder abuse, and
the annual financial loss of those victims is estimated to be at least
$2.9 billion, Blumenthal said.
Full Article & Source:
Bill would give state elder abuse programs a federal funding boost
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