LANSING – The Michigan House of Representatives today passed a resolution introduced by State Representative Robert Jones (D-Kalamazoo) that calls on Congress to enact the Elder Justice Act, which will provide states with more resources to prevent elder abuse, provide victim assistance and increase prosecution of those who mistreat seniors.
"Too many of our seniors are at risk of being abused by caretakers and family members, and the state lacks the resources to protect them," said Jones, who chairs the House Senior Health, Security and Retirement Committee. "The federal Elder Justice Act will give Michigan more resources to combat elder abuse. This is the right thing to do for our parents and grandparents, who deserve to feel safe and secure in their golden years."
Jones is making the prevention of elder abuse a top priority for the House Senior Health, Security and Retirement Committee. Elder abuse ranges from abandonment and neglect to financial exploitation to emotional, physical or sexual abuse. Women are more likely than men to suffer from elder abuse or neglect, with two out of three elder abuse victims being women, according to a 2004 survey conducted by the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA). The NCEA also found that two in five victims were 80 or older.
In 2001, Michigan's Adult Protective Services investigated more than 9,300 cases of adult mistreatment, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse. Adults age 60 and older accounted for 69 percent of the victims – an estimated 6,479 seniors. The investigations found that 70 percent of all victims suffered neglect and 15 percent were abused.
"We must protect our elderly residents who are unable to protect themselves and are left to the mercy of others," Jones said. "We cannot allow our seniors to be victimized and abused by the very people who are charged with their care. I applaud my fellow lawmakers for joining me in calling on Congress to give Michigan the funding needed to ensure the safety and well-being of our most vulnerable residents."