Those who use public transportation in the District of Columbia are apt to see these Elder Justice Now bus stop signs. They are meant to raise awareness and concern about elder abuse, especially with members of Congress or those who work for them.

Each sign (there are three versions) urges passage of the Elder Justice Act  and a visit to this Web site.

The signs are located at several strategic locations around the city and the space is made available for free by Clear Channel Communications.

These posters are at bus kiosks across the street from the National Cathedral and near the corner of H and 17th Street NW.

October 17, 2009

There are important lessons to be learned about elder abuse in America from the now concluded Brooke Astor case.

One is the need to close the loop and ensure federal protection for the nation’s seniors, especially the vulnerable and the frail. Currently, there are federal laws governing domestic violence and child abuse, but few related to elder abuse. In some states like New York and California, there is great attention paid to prosecuting elder abuse. In others, there is not.

Another is that elder abuse can happen to anyone. Take Carolyn Crewey of Houston, Texas who, at age 90, lost her home, much of her furniture, and had her bank account compromised at the hands of a ‘good friend.’ Or, Vicki Bastion, 92, of Hayward, California who installed a security gate inside her home to protect her and what values she had left from her grandson and his gang-related friends who had moved in with her.

These video stories and hundreds of others the National Council on Aging and WITNESS have videotaped over the past six months as part of our Elder Justice Now campaign show the need for far more awareness, training and education about elder abuse. Families, caregivers, law enforcement and our financial institutions all need to be on the lookout for its signs.

As a baby boomer, I am concerned that there is little attention being paid to this issue just as the largest generation in history is entering its third age and turning 60. It’s time for Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act, a bill that would provide increased federal resources and leadership to support state and community efforts to prevent, detect, treat, understand, intervene in and, where appropriate, prosecute elder abuse.

There are an estimated 5 million elders who experience some form of abuse each year.

The Elder Justice Act will help identify and share the best ways to prevent abuse and protect America’s seniors.

Your support is needed. Get involved. Take action.

The Elder Justice Act would ensure public/private infrastructure and resources needed to prevent, detect, treat, understand, intervene in, and, where appropiate, prosecute elder abuse.

Get Involved: take action now!

There are an estimated 5 million elders who experience some form of abuse each year.

The Elder Justice Act will help identify and share the best ways to prevent abuse and protect America’s seniors.

Your support is needed. Get involved. Take action.

There are an estimated 5 million elders who experience some form of abuse each year.

The Elder Justice Act will help identify and share the best ways to prevent abuse and protect America’s seniors.

Your support is needed. Get involved. Take Action .

[S1]Links to Take Action section of Elder Justice Now.

There are federal laws governing domestic violence and child abuse, but none related to elder abuse.

The Elder Justice Act will finally provide the national leadership needed to address the problem of elder abuse in America. Your support is needed.

Get involved. Take action now.

Elder abuse affects seniors across all socio-economic groups, but “older” seniors are more likely to be victimized.

The Elder Justice Act would provide the support for state and community efforts and the resources needed by those who work on the front lines preventing, fighting and prosecuting elder abuse.

Your support is needed. Get involved. Take action now.

For every one case of elder abuse, five go unreported.

The Elder Justice Act will increase the capacity of prosecutors across the country to bring elder abuse charges.

Your support is needed. Get involved. Take action.

Older adults who experience mistreatment have a 300% higher risk of death.

The Elder Justice Act would provide needed funds for those who have been fighting elder abuse on the front lines.

Your support is needed. Get involved. Take action now.

Every day, millions of older Americans are beaten, ignored or financially exploited.

Your support is needed. Get involved. Take action now.