TESTIMONY ON BEHALF OF THE NATIONAL COMMITTEE FOR THE PREVENTION OF ELDER ABUSE BEFORE THE U.S. HOUSE SELECT COMMITTEE ON AGING, SUBCOMMITTEE ON HUMAN SERVICES

• NCJ Number: 145873
• Journal: Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect Volume: 2 Issue: 1-2 Dated: (1990) Pages: 137-150
• Author(s): R S Wolf
• Date Published: 1990
• Length: 14 pages
• Publication Format: Article
• Publication Type: Legislative Hearing/Committee Report
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America
• Note: Testimony was presented on June 7, 1989 at a hearing entitled "Elder Abuse: An Assessment of the Federal Response."

Annotation

The progress that has been made in increasing awareness of and delivering service to the victims of elder abuse is discussed along with the problems that still exist. The need for the Federal Government to play an active role in this area is emphasized. Specific recommendations for Federal action are included.

Abstract

A plea is made for the Federal Government to take on a leadership role in establishing policy direction and promoting research and training to improve our knowledge about and response to cases of elder abuse. Although public awareness about elder abuse has grown in recent years and every State has established a system to respond to reports of abuse and neglect, problems still exist in our understanding of the problem. There is a lack of uniformity in definitions of elder abuse, the causes are not fully understood, the incidence and prevalence are not known, and intervention programs are untested. Much more research is needed. Problems with existing Federal grant programs and other Federal laws with provisions aimed at elder abuse are discussed. A list of nine recommendations for Federal action against elder abuse is included.