Call to Action: PASS THE ELDER JUSTICE ACT
Every year, an estimated five million older Americans are neglected, financially exploited or physically abused, causing illness, suffering and premature death. The cost to the nation’s seniors of financial abuse alone is estimated at $2.6 billion.
Elder abuse is a silent issue. It robs the nation’s elders of their dignity, their security and, in some cases, costs them their lives. But, the voices of America’s frail and vulnerable elders are rarely heard.
The time to act is now! The Elder Justice Act, needed, comprehensive federal legislation that has been in Congress since 2002, will provide a foundation to prevent, detect, treat, intervene in and prosecute abuse of older Americans.
Add your voice to help break the silence on elder abuse in America and encourage Congress to take immediate action to pass the Elder Justice Act!
Elder Financial Protection Network (EFPN) is issuing this Call to Action in tandem with the National Council on Aging, Witness, Elder Justice Coalition and Older Women's League (OWL).
An Age for Justice: Confronting
Elder Abuse in America
produced by The Elder Justice
Coalition,16 min.
The Elder Justice Act would:
- Provide federal resources to support state and community efforts on the front lines dedicated to fighting elder abuse with scarce resources and fragmented systems.
- Assure adequate public-private infrastructure and resources to prevent, detect, treat, understand, intervene in and, where appropriate, prosecute elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
For more information see:
- The Elder Justice Coalition
- Videos and YouTube, by Elder Justice Now
A Video Advocacy Campaign to Ensure Passage of the Elder Justice Act, .pdf, by Elder Justice Now- Elder Abuse
Fact Sheet,.pdf, by National Council on Aging (NCOA), Witness
- Updates on the Elder Justice Act (H.R. 1783), EFPN's Legislative center
- News
- Amendment Passed to Protect Seniors from Financial Exploitation (pdf:97k), The Elder Justice Coalition, December 11, 2009
- Astor case shows need for Elder Justice Act
The Hill, Capitol Hill Publishing Group, October 15, 2009, by Jenefer Duane - Why Healthcare Reform is Good for Older Americans by Kelly Matheson, Program Coordinator for North America, WITNESS, October 15, 2009
- Jaynry Mak of San Francisco, California, urging Congress to Pass the Elder Justice Act , by VCatena, The HUB, presented by Witness, September 21, 2009
