News Article

Consumer Voice Executive Director Speaks at Elder Justice Coordinating Council Meeting

December 03, 2019

Consumer Voice Executive Director Lori Smetanka addressed the Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC) at a meeting this morning.  The EJCC was established by the Elder Justice Act in 2010 to coordinate activities related to elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation across the federal government. The Elder Justice Coordinating Council is directed by the Office of the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Secretary serves as the Chair of the Council. Lori's remarks this morning centered around abuse, neglect and exploitation of long-term care consumers.  She highlighted stories of abuse and provided recommendations for prevention.  Her recommendations included: improving data collection and reporting; promoting greater collaboration among federal partner agencies and programs; investing additional resources in (or requesting additional resources for) training and support around investigation and prosecution; ensuring victim supportive services are extended to individuals who reside in long-term care facilities; and raising public awareness and understanding of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation by establishing a date certain for launching the broad-based public awareness campaign recommended by the EJCC.  Read Lori's full statement here.  Bob Blancato, Chair of the Elder Justice Coalition (of which Consumer Voice is a member) and Dr. Pamela Teaster from Virginia Tech University also spoke at the meeting. 

Panel statements and a recording of the meeting will be available on the EJCC website.

Read reflections from the meeting from Lance Robertson, Assistant Secretary for Aging and Administrator, Administration for Community Living.