Justina Wang Staff writer
(January 19, 2008) — Local social workers, lawyers, county employees and a concerned daughter pushed state Assembly members Friday for tougher laws and better resources to protect seniors from abuse.
During hours of testimony at City Hall, the advocates and experts told stories of sons and church members stealing thousands of dollars from elderly men, women arriving in hospital emergency rooms afraid of their family members and caretakers blatantly neglecting those under their watch. The state defines "elderly" in such cases as older than 65.
"I feel that New York state should set up a mandatory safeguard for the elderly population," said Rochester resident Stella Rainge, who said her mother was mistreated by a caregiver.
Only about a quarter of all instances of elder abuse are reported, and only 5 percent of victims report the wrongdoings themselves, said Art Mason, director of Lifespan's elder abuse prevention program. Lifespan received a $194,000 state grant to run the nation's first statewide study of elder abuse.
Sharon Cerasoli, a critical care social worker at Rochester General Hospital, said she reported four cases of suspected elder abuse over the past week.
"This is certainly a topic we all need to be further enlightened on," said Assemblyman Bill Reilich, R-Greece.
SOURCE: Democrat and Chronicale.com
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