Newswise — Members of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA), the Elder Justice Coalition and other leaders in the fight against elder abuse are calling on lawmakers to approve a bipartisan bill.
In a NAELA letter sent to every member of the U.S. Congress, NAELA leaders advocated co-sponsorship and approval of the landmark legislation, urging legislators to consider the safety of the nation's senior population and pass the Elder Justice Act.
With America's 75 million Baby Boomers approaching retirement age, senior advocates stress that such steps are needed to protect a growing, vulnerable elder population from harm.NAELA leaders say approval of the Elder Justice Act is of the highest priority and would mean critical federal support for state and local adult protective services agencies, as well as funds for long-term care ombudsmen who advocate for quality care in nursing homes. The goal of the legislation - which was initially introduced during the 2006 congressional session - is to address and reduce elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
The Elder Justice Coalition dedicated to raising awareness of senior issues and eradicating elder abuse, consists of more than 500 members, including 226 organizations. Members represent the aging industry, protective services, law enforcement, health care, long-term care insurance and advocacy, guardianship, assisted living, social services and more. (Member list here: http://www.elderjusticecoalition.com/member_list.htm.)
There are estimates that as many as five million people suffer from elder abuse. However, about 85 percent of these cases are believed to go unreported. Furthermore, NAELA's national survey of elder issues found that 20 percent of Americans had experienced some form of elder abuse, directed at either themselves or their parents. Financial abuse was the most prevalent form of abuse noted. (More survey results available at NAELA.ORG )
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