Schumer visits Syracuse for bill fighting elder abuse
Posted by Michele Reaves February 19, 2008 6:02PM
Posted by Michele Reaves February 19, 2008 6:02PM
Syracuse, NY - Sen. Charles Schumer visited Syracuse today to talk about a congressional bill to fight physical and financial abuse of senior citizens.
More than 1,000 cases of elder abuse were reported in six Central New York counties in 2007, said Schumer, citing numbers from the state Office of Children and Family Services.
"What's so disturbing about this is for sure these are only a fraction of what is out there," Schumer, D-N.Y., said during a news conference at Vera House on Thompson Road. He said many seniors don't report abuse because they feel embarrassed or don't want to complain about their problems.
The Elder Justice Act, co-sponsored by Schumer, would create a federal Office of Elder Services in the Justice and Health and Human Services departments, Schumer said. The bill would call for training to provide better detection of problems, safe havens for abused seniors and tougher requirements that abuse be reported even if it reflects badly on a nursing home or other facility.
More than 1,000 cases of elder abuse were reported in six Central New York counties in 2007, said Schumer, citing numbers from the state Office of Children and Family Services.
"What's so disturbing about this is for sure these are only a fraction of what is out there," Schumer, D-N.Y., said during a news conference at Vera House on Thompson Road. He said many seniors don't report abuse because they feel embarrassed or don't want to complain about their problems.
The Elder Justice Act, co-sponsored by Schumer, would create a federal Office of Elder Services in the Justice and Health and Human Services departments, Schumer said. The bill would call for training to provide better detection of problems, safe havens for abused seniors and tougher requirements that abuse be reported even if it reflects badly on a nursing home or other facility.
SOURCE: syracuse.comNews
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It is good to see continued discussions, talks, research papers etc.. on the subject of elder abuse.
IT IS TIME TO ACT! The laws that politicians and considering to enact to protect the elderly from abuse, could be the laws that may, one day, save them or their loved ones.
In Australia, 'the Parliamentary Inquiry into Older People and the Law' has been completed late last year. The report has been published and tabled. What has been done to date? What about the recommendations contained in that report? Gathering dust - until the next "horror elder abuse" story hit the media.
Sorry, can't help being cynical. Seen too much of these sort of things.
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