By Karol Markosky
HIV/AIDS Education Coordinator
Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City, Inc

Seeing the pain in someone’s eyes as they talk about atrocities they suffered and committed often by someone they love – especially by a son or daughter – has been the hardest thing about filming video stories for the Elder Justice Now campaign.

Working on this campaign, while tearful at times, has opened my eyes even more in to the rich lives of our seniors. I have been moved by the women and the men that I interviewed and by all of the stories of abuse that usually go unheard.

The most surprising thing has been the strength and power of the elders who had experienced the pain caused by abuse. However, many were ready to speak out against elder abuse and they did!

America’s seniors are often cast aside by a society that values youth and disdains aging. The people we interviewed for this campaign were NOT your stereotypical “elderly” who are often characterzed as weak and feeble. Their strength astounds me.

In New York, we were able to film at a few local senior centers. We had a blast! They not only welcomed us with open arms and talked to us about their experiences, they also let us film them having fun. We saw seniors who were belly dancing. Others were ballroom dancing, playing card games and working on the computer. We had lunch with one of the first female cardiologists. We had an afternoon snack at an Alzheimer’s support group. We were serenaded by a gentleman who wanted to share songs from his past and engaged in stimulating conversation.

I feel blessed everyday to work with seniors that have shaped this world and paved the way for me to do what I do today. Because of this, I feel truly impassioned to help in the fight for the Elder Justice Act.

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.

It is crucial to get word to Congress this week that the Elder Justice Act should be passed this year. Signing a petition can help make Elder Justice Now a reality.

To sign the petition or to take other actions that will ensure passage, click here.

If you are looking for reasons why it’s so important,  read the comments from those who have already signed the petition. They give the reasons why passage is so important to our nation’s elders. Feel free to add your own comments in reaction to this blog entry!

“I support funding for fighting elder abuse. The economic downturn has cut most of the infrastructure in my county and there is a great need to put it back in place.”– CA

“Elder abuse is appalling. It is unconsionable. We need this Act passed to gve our elders the respect they deserve and to allow us to benefit from the grace of their wisdom.” — MD

“Elder abuse is a hidden reality in our society. Please help us prevent abuse of our elders and develop a comprehesive response to prevent and intervene in these cases.” NY

“It comes as a shock that here in the United States we can pass the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act in1974 and 20 years later the Violence Against Women Act in 1994. yet there is no federal legislation that protects our elders.” — NY

“I work with the frail elderly who are often the victims of abuse by their own family members. We often don’t have the resources or legal means to protect them.” — NY

“The  humanty of our society is measured in how we treat our most vulnerable members.” — CA

“Abuse continues to rise, especially financial abuse and resources continue to decrease. Please help stop the suffering of our elders and [support] the systems that serve them.” — CA

“Seniors need protection, families need support and guidance…Passing the Elder Justice Act will help seniors get the care and respect they deserve.” — CA

“As a member of the Pennsylvania Council on Aging and having worked in aging services for 13 years, the need for this legislation is absolute.” — PA

“States can no longer bear the burden of adult protective services alone.” — WI

“Prosecution of elder abuse cases has improved, bu we still have a long way to go to protect our seniors.” — CA

“We should always protect all living creatures that cannot protect themselves. The elderly should not leave this world with their last days filled with neglect or abuse.” –NJ

Need I say more? Please sign the petition now.

According to Fred Joseph, president of the North American Securities Administrators Association, “Elder financial abuse is becoming the crime of the 21st century’’. He was quoted in a Washington Post article that focused on the link between the growing recession in the U.S. and the increase in elder financial abuse. Though there may be debate about if elder financial abuse is the ‘crime of the century’, there is no doubt that it is a burgeoning crisis in the U.S. This video from the California Attorney General’s Office is a good introduction to the issue – and how to help prevent elder financial abuse.

As we’ve written about, WITNESS and the National Council on Aging have partnered to address a silent crisis in America: elder abuse. This summer and fall, dozens of video stories and testimonies about elder abuse, some from the estimated annual five million victims of elder abuse, are being gathered and shared to help break the silence and pass the Elder Justice Act, pending legislation that will provide holistic support to help detect, prosecute and prevent elder abuse.

Elder abuse can take many forms (which you can learn more about here and here), one of which is the financial abuse of seniors – the illegal or improper use of an elder’s funds, property or assets. Examples range from the financial abuse my colleague Kelly’s grandmother endured when she was swindled by a door-to-door salesman (read thief) to a family member signing checks from their elder’s account without permission.

Though underreported, the annual loss is estimated to be at least $2.6 billion, according to a recent report (pdf) from MetLife Mature Market Institute, produced in conjunction with the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and Virginia Tech University. It goes on to state that the typical victim of elder abuse is a woman over 75 who lives alone and the “increased aging population, social changes, and technology advances will lead to a dramatic increase in the opportunity for a growing level of elder abuse”.

There is a silent crisis that effects every community in America: Elder abuse. Each year an estimated 5 million of America’s older adults are beaten, ignored or financially exploited. Yet, as a country, we remain silent about this growing crisis.

To begin to address this problem, Congress has an immediate opportunity to pass federal legislation that will provide a foundation from which we can begin to protect our country’s elders — the Elder Justice Act. But we cannot do this without your help. Please help us break the silence by adding your voice to the national campaign and urge Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act now!

3 Things You Can DO

• Share a story below (in comments section)
• Sign this petition
• Subscribe to WITNESS’ Video for Change newsletter and learn about the NCOA network

More Information on the Elder Justice Act and the campaign to get it passed

• A background on the elder justice now campaign
• FAQ about elder abuse
• What the Elder Justice Act is and will do
• WITNESS’ Partner: NCOA

Monday, June 15, is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, which works to recognize elder abuse as a public health and human rights issue and raise awareness to put an end to the abuse and neglect of older persons. The day is sponsored by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), and it asks you to show your support by attending or hosting an event on Monday – as well as by wearing the color purple.

WITNESS is partnered with the National Council on Aging to help break the silence on elder abuse in the United States – and urge Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act. On this day of World Elder Abuse Awareness, I wanted to feature some of the best elder abuse-related videos we’ve found so far (if you know of others, please share them with us!).
First up is a very powerful 30-second elder abuse public service announcement out of Ontario, Canada. There are very few videos out there on elder abuse from North America (outside of lawyers trying to get clients), but I believe this one could be replicated and reused in many societies.

Age Demands Action is a video from Help Age International that features actions to raise awareness and call for accountability of elder abuse in 35 countries on October 1, 2008. I think it is a good video to highlight an elder justice campaign by, for and on behalf of older persons.

This video from Age Concern of New Zealand is a good intro to what elder abuse is and how people need to act to deal with it. It focuses on respect and the video serves as a training resource examines what ‘respect’ means and includes case studies that show how a lack of respect can lead to elder abuse and neglect.

This video is of White House Chief of Staff Rahm Emanuel testifying before the House Judiciary Committee about the Elder Justice Act in 2008 as the House Democratic Caucus Chairman.

Special thanks to Masha Medvedkov, a fantastic WITNESS intern, for her research for and assistance with this post, which was originally posted on the WITNESS Hub.

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.

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

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.

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.

Jeanette Lazarofsky, an advocate for older adults in Houston, TX, is surprised that there is no federal law protecting the nation’s elders. She urges Rep. John Culberson (R-TX) to support the Elder Justice Act.

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.

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

Several Texas seniors share why it is important for Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act now.

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

Get Involved: http://ElderJusticeNow.org
Take action now!

Ellen MacDonald of Houston, TX says that it is difficult for elders to talk about elder abuse. She calls on Rep. John Culberson (R-TX) to pass the Elder Justice Act.

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.

Rowena Nadig of San Antonio, TX 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.

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

Norma Bradley who runs Advocate Legal Senior Center in Houston, TX tells how family members often give up caring about their elders, which can lead to scams and abuse by others.

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.

Nancy Wilson tells how a family member forced an elderly Texas man to live in a garage where he was malnourished and dehydrated.

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.

Lydia Delgado of Houston is a case worker and tells of a case of neglect in which adult protective services helped the family better care for the elder. She calls on Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (D-TX) to support 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.

Juan Diaz of New York City tells how adult protective services helped him deal with his son’s issues. His adult son was living with him in senior housing.

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.

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.

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