Federal Government Introduces New Efforts to Combat Elder Abuse

In an effort to combat elder abuse in the United States, the Obama Administration recently released a program outline titled “The Elder Justice Roadmap”.

The Elder Justice Roadmap will be used to develop strategic plans and provide guidance in tackling the highest priority challenges to elder abuse prevention and prosecution.

Aiming identify the most critical priorities in elder abuse issues, The Elder Justice Roadmap derives its content from the opinions of hundreds of experts and innovators from across the country.

Using this collective data, proponents of the initiative hope to develop strategies to raise public awareness about elder abuse, conduct research about the costs of elder abuse, develop better treatment options for victims, and inspire a more active involvement from the private sector.

Additionally the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is in the process of developing a voluntary national Adult Protective Services (APS) database. Essentially, the APS aims to identify and collect data about the adults who are the victims of maltreatment and the nature of services that are provided to these vulnerable adults.

Research suggests that 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 60 has experienced elder abuse or neglect. Furthermore, research has shown that people with dementia are at higher risk for abuse.

Statistics also reveal that from now until 2030 about 10,000 baby boomers will celebrate their 65^th birthday. Furthermore, HHS data shows that the fastest-growing segment of population is people aged 85 or older.

Signs of elder abuse or mistreatment should not be ignored or left unaddressed. If you or an elderly loved one have been the victim of abuse, contact Tanya Hobson-Williams, P.C.  for the representation you and your loved ones deserve.

Author: Tanya Hobson-Williams

Appointed to the bench by the Board of Trustees in 2008, and elected in 2009, Tanya Hobson-Williams was the first African-American Female Justice in the Incorporated Village of Hempstead. Tanya Hobson–Williams obtained her B.A. in Government and Politics from St. John's University and her law degree from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law. Tanya Hobson-Williams has an active elder law practice assisting senior citizens in obtaining Medicaid for Home Care and Nursing Home Care. She routinely lectures at senior citizen centers, assisted living facilities, law schools and counsels families on a variety of topics of concerns to families caring for the elderly. View all posts by Tanya Hobson-Williams