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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
To be a part in a national effort to raise awareness about the growing problem of abuse, we encourage you to Host-A-Screening of the short documentary film, An Age for Justice: Confronting Elder Abuse in America. By hosting a community screening of the film you will be protecting the dignity of today’s seniors and helping to ensure we can all live free from abuse tomorrow.
DVD NOW AVAILABLE
To order a DVD of An Age for Justice: Confronting Elder Abuse in America go to the WITNESS Store.
