Consumer Voice Executive Director Lori Smetanka testified in front of the Senate Special Committee on Aging yesterday during a hearing entitled “Awareness to Action: Combating Elder Abuse & Neglect.” Lori’s testimony focused on the ongoing crisis of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
At least 1 in 10 older adults experience abuse, and nearly half of those with dementia are affected. Yet elder abuse is under-reported and under-investigated. Lori’s testimony centered on four key recommendations for federal action:
- Support elder justice programs – Elder Justice Programs, such as the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and Adult Protective Services, provide critical supports that protect older adults while promoting their well-being and access to justice.
- Enforce federal standards in nursing facilities – Forty years after the Nursing Home Reform Act, enforcement of standards in nursing facilities remains inadequate, and persistent problems exist. Additionally, questions exist about how billions of public dollars are spent by nursing home companies.
- Support direct care staff and adequate staffing in facilities – Understaffing leads to poor resident outcomes and increased citations for abuse and neglect.
- Advance guardianship research and reform – Abuse or exploitation increases the likelihood of guardianship and institutionalization for an older adult. While guardianship can be a solution to abuse and neglect, it can also strip a person of rights and expose them to further abuse.
Read Lori’s full testimony and watch the recording of the hearing.
The Committee is accepting written testimony for the record through Tuesday, August 5th. Email testimony to Hans_Hansen@aging.senate.gov and Peter_DeLuca@aging.senate.gov.
What can you do?
Raise your voice to advocate for policies and programs that prevent elder abuse.
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- Access resources on sexual abuse, financial exploitation, privacy issues, resident-to-resident mistreatment, and issues related to surveillance/electronic monitoring.
- Use our Advocacy Toolkit to learn how to speak up and advocate at the local, state, and national levels.
- Reach out to policymakers to share your story and raise awareness.
- Make a donation in support of Consumer Voice’s continued advocacy.
