The Issue
The Elder Abuse Prevention and Prosecution Act was signed into law in 2017. Designed to combat the growing epidemic of the financial and physical abuse levied against the elderly, the bill should reduce the number of senior citizens who suffer ill treatment and scams.
The Steep Cost
The National Council on Aging studied elder abuse. One in 10 Americans, aged 60 or older, have experienced it. However, this number is likely higher since only about 1 in every 14 victims report elder abuse. Due to the likelihood of feeling embarrassed, seniors are more likely to report financial than emotional or physical abuse. Elders abuse victims are 300% more likely to die following abuse than senior citizens who have not been abused. Overall, elder financial abuse costs senior citizens an estimated $36.5 billion per year.
The bill proposes several changes to help protect the elderly from this abuse. The bill requires the Department of Justice (DOJ) to:
- Designate Elder Justice Coordinators (EJC) in federal judicial districts and at DOJ.
- The EJCs will act as legal counsel for the Federal judicial district on matters relating to elder abuse
- Prosecute, or assist in the prosecution of elder abuse cases
- Increase public awareness for elder abuse and conducting outreach programs
The Attorney General, in coordination with the Federal Bureau of Investigation, will also:
- Implement a comprehensive training program for current and incoming FBI agents to train agents to investigate and prosecute elder abuse criminals.
- Establish a group to uncover and prosecute elder abuse cases.
- Improve data collection and awareness for elder abuse cases.
- Coordinate with all levels of law enforcement to establish best practices for collecting data that focuses on elder abuse.
- Collect yearly statistical data from law enforcement agencies relating to cases where one or more of the victims were elders, or financial abuse cases that were either targeted directly towards the elderly or largely affected this age group.
- Publish findings and recommendations on the DOJ’s website.
Victim Assistance
Another section of the bill addresses the need for enhanced victim assistance for elder abuse survivors. It will also expand the federal criminal code to include fraudulent attempts to induce investment for financial profit, participation in a business opportunity, or commitment to a loan through telemarketing or email marketing. Some say the help is long overdue, since physical and financial abuse directed toward elderly are at epidemic proportions in this country.
About Skvarna Law Firm
If you would like to know more about elder care, whether your question relates to elder abuse or not, call Skvarna Law Firm. We operate offices in Glendora and Upland, California and provide legal services for individuals living in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Orange and Riverside Counties. This includes the cities of Upland, Ontario, Rancho Cucamonga, Fontana, Colton, Rialto, Chino, Chino Hills, Glendora, Claremont, Montclair, Pomona, La Verne, San Dimas, Azusa, Covina, West Covina, Diamond Bar, Walnut, La Puente, Corona, Norco & Mira Loma. Visit SkvarnaLaw.com to learn more.
