Dolores Torres of Houston, TX, urges Rep. Al Green (R-TX) to pass the Elder Justice Act.
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.
Patrick Lay, of League City, TX, urges Rep. Larry Taylor (R-TX) to pass the Elder Justice Act.
Elder abuse is a silent issue, robbing the nation’s elders of their dignity and security, and in some cases costing them their lives.Your support is needed. Get involved. Take action now.
The Elder Justice Act would fund a public awareness campaign around prevention and best practices targeting law enforcement, financial institutions, caregivers and family members.
In Spanish, Maria C. Davila, of Houston, TX, urges Rep. Al Green (R-TX) to pass the Elder Justice Act.
Elder abuse affects seniors across all socioeconomic groups, but “older” seniors are more likely to be victimized.
Your support is needed. Get involved. Take action now.
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.
Raul Navarro of Houston, TX, tells how his mother was physically abused and neglected while staying in a nursing home.
Every day, millions of older Americans are beaten, ignored or financially exploited.
The Elder Justice Act would fund a public awareness campaign around prevention and best practices targeting law enforcement, financial institutions, caregivers and family members.
Your support is needed. Get involved. Take action now.
Austin’s Idell McKee was a victim of abuse. She was surprised, hurt, angry and a little afraid. She calls on Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act.
Elder abuse is a silent issue, robbing the nation’s elders of their dignity and security, and in some cases costing them their lives.
The Elder Justice Act would fund a public awareness campaign around prevention and best practices targeting law enforcement, financial institutions, caregivers and family members.
Shirley Ledbetter, of Contra Costa County, CA, works in adult protective services and calls on Rep. George Miller (D-CA) to pass the Elder Justice Act.
In almost 90% of elder abuse and neglect incidents with a known perpetrator, the perpetrator is a family member. Two thirds are adult children or spouses.
The Elder Justice Act is needed to protect all older Americans and to prevent and prosecute elder abuse.
Robert Sholtz, of El Cerrito, CA, tells Rep. George Miller (D-CA) that he wants the Elder Justice Act passed to protect him and other seniors from elder abuse.
Every day, millions of older Americans are beaten, ignored or financially exploited.
The Elder Justice Act will finally provide the national leadership needed to address the problem of elder abuse in America.
Rafael Cosio, of Hollywood, CA, says that based not only on the contributions of gay and lesbian elders, but also all elders, we should show our gratitude by passing the Elder Justice Act.
Elder abuse affects seniors across all socioeconomic 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.
Karen Emily Dickinson of Hollywood, CA, says that elder abuse is one of those things in a darkened corner that people don’t want to see. She asks Congress to pass a law to prevent it.
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.
Don Streeper, of Petaluma, CA, relates how he witnessed a daughter who abused and neglected her mother. He calls for government action on all levels to address elder abuse.
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.
New York City’s Lilliam Barrios-Paoli does not understand why it has taken Congress so long to pass the Elder Justice Act. She urges baby boomers to mobilize to ensure its passage.
The numbers of those elderly who are abused will only grow as the baby boomers age into their 60s.
The Elder Justice Act would share best practices; provide education, awareness and training; increase the ability to prosecute elder abuse; and ensure that front line workers have the resources and information they need.
Carolyn Crewey, of Houston Texas, is a survivor of elder financial abuse. At age 90, Carolyn lost her home, much of her furniture, and had her bank account compromised at the hands of a ‘good friend.’ Carolyn is one of many elderly women affected by elder abuse.
The “typical” victim of elder financial abuse is between the ages of 70 and 89, white, female, frail, and frequently cognitively impaired.
The Elder Justice Act will help identify and share the best ways to prevent abuse and protect America’s seniors. Congress needs to act now to pass this important legislation.
Rowena Nadig of San Antonio, Texas tells how her sister was abused by her nephew. He stole her money, used her credit cards to run up $15,000 in charges and took her personal property.
In almost 90% of elder abuse and neglect incidents with a known perpetrator, the perpetrator is a family member. Two thirds are adult children or spouses.
The Elder Justice Act is needed to protect all older Americans and to prevent and prosecute elder abuse.
Carmel’s Pat Smith relates the story of her husband, who has Alzheimer’s, who was taken in by a young woman in Las Vegas. Her criminal behavior led to credit card charges of some $750,000 for the Smiths and an FBI investigation.
Elder abuse affects seniors across all socio-economic groups, but “older” seniors are more likely to be victimized.
Your support is needed. Get involved. Take action now.
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.
Saratoga’s Bob Lee relates the story of his father, a World War II veteran, was abused by a caregiver who took away his dignity, stole his money and even contributed to his death. He calls on Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act.
Financial abuse alone costs the nation’s seniors some $2.6 billion a year.
The Elder Justice Act would educate law enforcement, financial institutions, caregivers and family members about elder financial abuse.
Your support is needed. Get involved. Take action now.
During a visit to the Stein Senior Center in New York City, Doris Hutchinson of the Bronx urges Congress and the President to fund more programs for the nation’s seniors.
Every day, millions of older Americans are beaten, ignored or financially exploited.
New York City’s Betty Beckles was physically abused by her daughter. She once volunteered for Rep. Charlie Rangel (D-NY) and asks for his help in protecting seniors like her.
In almost 90% of elder abuse and neglect incidents with a known perpetrator, the perpetrator is a family member. Two thirds are adult children or spouses.
The Elder Justice Act is needed to protect all older Americans and to prevent and prosecute elder abuse.
Muriel Olivierre’s mother was abused. The New Yorker calls on Congress to help find ways to stop it and to take all the steps necessary to prevent elder abuse.
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.
During a visit to Stein Senior Center, Helen Murray urges Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act on behalf of those who are even older than she and those who will become elders in future!
The numbers of those elderly who are abused will only grow as the baby boomers age into their 60s.
The Elder Justice Act would share best practices, provide education, awareness and training, increase the ability to prosecute elder abuse and ensure that front line workers have the resources and information they need.
Cynthia, Vicki Bastion’s niece, describes how her aunt, in fear for her safety and to protect her belongings, put a metal security door on her bedroom. Vicki’s grandson, who lived with her, had invited gang members, drug pushers and prostitutes to live in her home.
Older Americans, especially the very old and vulnerable, should not have to live in fear of being abused physically, psychologically or financially.
The Elder Justice Act would provide the resources needed to help those who now fight elder abuse with scarce resources and fragmented systems.
Mary Joy Quinn says that most senior think abuse hasn’t really happened to them and often do not tell anyone about it. They need better education about how to recognize and deal with elder abuse.
Elder abuse is a silent issue, robbing the nation’s elders of their dignity, their security and, in comes cases, costing them their lives.
The Elder Justice Act would fund a public awareness campaign around prevention and best practices targeting law enforcement, financial institutions, caregivers and family members.
Justice Elizabeth Weaver of the Michigan Supreme Court describes why Congress needs to act on behalf of the nation’s elders and pass the Elder Justice Act.
At the federal level, only 2% of abuse prevention dollars go to mistreatment of olderadults.
The Elder Justice Act will help identify and share the best ways to prevent abuse and protect America’s seniors. Congress needs to act now to pass this important legislation.
Earlier today (Sept. 22, 2009), Finance Chairman Max Baucus released a list of proposed amendments that he was immediately accepting for addition to the health care legislation. This document – called the "Chairman's Mark" – includes the original health reform legislation plus the automatically adopted amendments. This will likely the base text that the Committee members will debate. And the good news – The Elder Justice Act (EJA) was included in the Chairman’s Mark!
What does this mean for the Elder Justice Act? It means that if the Finance Committee approves its version of health reform legislation later this week or next, the Senate will have once again approved the Elder Justice Act. But we still need the House in order for EJA to become law.
It also means your voice is crucial for securing House support for the Elder Justice Act.
To act today:
1) Write to or call your Senator or Representative today to request support for the EJA – include a link to one of the below videos or click here to upload from YouTube to make your message more powerful.
2) Sign this petition and call on the U.S. Congress to act now.
3) Share a story via text or video: help us break the silence by adding your voice to the national campaign and urge Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act now!
4) Forward this to your friends and anyone who cares about older Americans.
This week offers a critical opportunity to advance the Elder Justice Act—a law that will finally bring a coordinated approach to ending elder abuse in this country.
You can help.
The Senate Finance Committee is considering the Elder Justice Act as an amendment to its health reform bill. This amendment would represent the most significant federal commitment to date to combat elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. It provides an unprecedented and dedicated funding stream for Adult Protective Services (APS), which operate in all states and are the frontline workers helping elder abuse victims.
It is critical the Elder Justice Act pass now because elder abuse is a growing national epidemic. There is elder abuse occurring in every zip code in the United States affecting our health care system, our economy and our social fabric. Click VIDEO to see and hear the stories of some our America’s abused and neglected elders from older adults themselves, their families and those who serve them in local communities across the country. These elders and advocates share their stories and beliefs because we, as a country, have to step up and protect older Americans now. We hope that once you have seen their stories you will take up this charge along with us.
This is a critical moment and we need your help – please:
1) Write to or call your Senator or Representative today to request support for the EJA – include a link to one of these videos to make your message more powerful
3) Share a story via text or video: help us break the silence by adding your voice to the national campaign and urge Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act now!
Bobbie Sackman is the Director of Public Policy at the Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York. Based on her professional experience, Sackman knows that elder abuse often happens behind closed doors and often within families. She believes that it is time to stand and do something to protect the nation’s elderly.
The Elder Justice Act will increase the capacity of prosecutors across the country to bring elder abuse charges.
It’s time for Congress to act and pass the Elder Justice Act now.
Senior fraud is all too common to Asst. District Attorney Joanne Woodruff of San Antonio, Texas. In Bexar County District alone, there are 150 active cases of elder abuse. Here she tells about a case involving a supposed friend of an elderly man. This ‘friend’ deceitfully gained the rights to access the gentleman’s bank accounts, took the victim’s money and refused his sister the opportunity to see him on his deathbed.
Elder financial abuse, while under-reported, accounts for an annual loss by victims of an estimated $2.6 billion.
It is time for Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act. Your help is needed.
Mary Roberts of Houston, Texas speaks on behalf of “the seniors that you have and the seniors that you will become,” asking Congress to “pass the Elder Justice Act because the quality of our life will be better and we will longer.”
Each year an estimated 5 million of America’s older adults are beaten, ignored or financially exploited.
It is time for Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act. Your help is needed.
This moving story is by a daughter, the youngest of five siblings, who was her mother’s caregiver and also in control of her finances. Her mother has Alzheimer’s. She began paying her own bills using her mother’s money. Ultimately, she was confronted by one of her sisters and relinquished control of her mother’s estate to a qualified financial manager. She has since made the transition from an abuser to an elder rights advocate.
In almost 90% of the elder abuse and neglect incidents with a known perpetrator, the perpetrator is a family member, and two-thirds of the perpetrators are adult children or spouses.
It is time for Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act. Your help is needed. Take action now!
Mark Hassell of Monterey, California tells the story of his grandmother, Lillian, who is a victim of financial abuse. She is 99 years old and has Alzheimer’s. A ‘friend’ from church offered to help when due to her declining health, Lillian fell behind on her bills. Months of forgery, loan schemes, and foreclosures ensued, leaving her almost penniless.
Elder financial abuse is regarded as the third most commonly substantiated type of elder abuse, following neglect and emotional/psychological abuse.
It is time for Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act. Your help is needed.
Jamie Ottesen of Windsor, California who tells how her mother received third degree burns while in a care home for seniors. Instead of seeking medical care, the staff threw her in a cold shower, contacting no one. According to Jamie, the woman who ran the home was never found guilty of a crime and continues to run the home.
A Congressional committee discovered that 30% of the nursing homes in the country were cited for almost 9,000 instances of abuse between 1999 and 2001.
The Elder Justice Act will create a national database of information to develop better knwolege of the problem.
It is time for Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act. Your help is needed.
Cindy Healy, of Monterey, California, is a CPA who serves as a trustee and guardian for many area elders. She works alongside Adult Protective Services and families to help prevent financial elder abuse fraud, detect it where it happens, and reconcile the damages. She asks members of Congress to act immediately on behalf of the nation’s elders who need help now but also for all of us that are seniors to come. As the number of elders increases, so does the problem.
Between 2000 and 2004, reports of elder and vulnerable abuse in this country increased 20%.
The Elder Justice Act will create a federal office of Adult Protective Services, allowing for better coordination and informaton sharing nationwide.
It is time for Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act. Your help is needed.
Sam Leichter is Program Coordinator for the Elder Financial Protection Network of San Francisco, California. Sam speaks everyday with victims of financial abuse and exploitation and here he underlines the importance of approving the Elder Justice Act.
It is time for Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act. Your help is needed.
This plea from Jaynry Mak Associate Director of the Elder Financial Protection Network in San Francisco, California, Jaynry asks Congress to act now in order to prevent more elders from suffering from financial exploitation and scams.
