TOOLS FOR PROFESSIONALS AND COMMUNITY MEMBERS
"Do try this at home" Elder Abuse-related practices that might be replicated in your community
In preparation for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15th), we are sharing some program highlights from the Archstone Foundation Elder Abuse & Neglect Initiative. We’d be delighted if you were to replicate any of these promising practices in your own community, so please, “Do try this at home.”
www.centeronelderabuse.org/files/Do_try_this_at_home.doc
Special thanks to:
Fair Lending Project for Seniors
University of California, Los Angeles, School of Dentistry
Wise and Healthy Aging
The Archstone Foundation
Top 5 Myths about Elder Mistreatment
Solomon Liao, MD, Geriatrician and Director of Palliative Care Services at UC Irvine, identified and addressed frequent misconceptions about elder mistreatment on the American Academy of Hospice and Palliative Medicine blog http://www.aahpmblog.org/
ELDER ABUSE BYTES E-NEWSLETTER
Subscribe to our free almost-bimonthly e-newsletter http://www.centeronelderabuse.org/modules/e_signup.cfm
Review past issues of Elder Abuse Bytes e-newsletter (PDF) http://www.centeronelderabuse.org/files/EAB_Archive.pdf
LEGISLATIVE ADVOCACY
In March, Congress passed the Elder Justice Act (EJA) as part of Health Care Reform legislation. However, the improvements called for in EJA can’t be put into action unless Congress approves funding.
You can help by contacting your representatives to educate them about the importance of fully funding the EJA.
National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) has prepared the following information, streamlining the process of sending a letter to your Senators and Representative in Congress.
March 22, 2010-Press Release, Elder Justice Coalition
ELDER JUSTICE BILLS CLEAR CONGRESS, OBAMA TO SIGN INTO LAW
The House of Representatives last night gave final Congressional approval to the Elder Justice Act and the Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act as part of health care reform legislation. The bill now goes to the President for his signature which is expected later this week.
The main provisions of the Elder Justice Act include:
*Adult Protective Services (APS) funding. Provides $400 million ($100 million per year) in first-time dedicated funding for adult protective services. Provides $100 million ($25 million annually) for state demonstration grants to test a variety of methods to improve APS.
*Provides $32.5 million (over 4 years) in grants to support the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and an additional $40 million ($10 million annually) in training programs for national organizations and State long-term care ombudsman programs.
*Establishes an Elder Justice Coordinating Council to make recommendations to the Secretary of HHS on the coordination of activities of federal, state, local and private agencies and entities relating to elder abuse, neglect and exploitation. Recommendations contained in report are due in 2 years.
*The Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act creates a national program of criminal background checks for persons seeking employment in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities.
