ELDER ABUSE AND THE LAW (USA)

At last! The issue of elder abuse and the inadequacies of current laws to protect the vulnerable and frail older people of our society is now drawing more attention then ever before.

This is a tiny step towards the desired goal.

The push for the Elder Justice Act to be passed in Congress is getting stronger each day. Whilst this is encouraging, we must remember that the older people who really need the protection now, may not live to see that happening. Such is the urgency for this Act to be passed as soon as possible.

We must not forget that the crisis in Aged Care and Adult Protective Services encompasses a whole range of issues that cannot be easily fixed by just ONE approach to the problem. The complex problem of Elder Abuse, in various forms, needs a multi-disciplinarian and multi-agencies approach.


The inadequacies of current laws must be fixed in the interim, so that people in need can be protected in the lengthy waiting period before the Elder Justice Act comes into effect.

For that to happen, we need “loopholes” in the current system fixed. Many of us who are working towards Elder Abuse Prevention and better Aged Care, are no expert in law. Therefore, all law- and policy-makers MUST ACT NOW to fix the inadequacies in the system. If they take pride in their profession, they should also see that the weaknesses in what they have helped to create, FIXED.

There is plenty of evidence that the current court system and Adult Protective Services need urgent fixing, whilst we wait for the Elder Justice Bill to be passed.

If the system and the law to protect our valued seniors are adequate, we would not see the heart-wrenching stories highlighted in the media. We know that Elder Abuse is under-reported. We must also realize that many other cases just slipped through because those victims of EA do not have anyone to stand up for them or to draw attention to their plight. The real problem is far greater than anyone can imagine.

The call for “loopholes” in the current legal system relating to the issues of protecting elderly is one of great URGENCY.

There are various ways you can help this cause by contacting your local policy-makers, senators, etc. Or, you can discuss the matter with your community groups and work out a concerted way to approach your local policymakers.

Elder Abuse Prevention should be an issue that we all should care about. Please do not wait till you or your loved ones needing the protection of the law. ACT NOW.

By Andrew