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Preventing Elder Abuse
Did you know that approximately 1 in 10 seniors is abused each year, or that senior abuse is dramatically underreported, with only 1 in 23 cases reported to Adult Protective Services?
To combat this injustice, AmeriCorps Seniors and the Corporation for National and Community Service partnered with the Department of Justice in support of their new Elder Justice Initiative to end elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation across the country.
AmeriCorps Seniors Director Speaks About Elder Justice Initiative
AmeriCorps Seniors grantees can – and often already do – protect vulnerable elder Americans they serve.
Mental Health Association of South Central Kansas – Senior Companion Program, Wichita, KS
Statewide in fiscal year 2016, 8,970 Adult Protective Service Reports were assigned to investigate charges of alleged maltreatment with 1,975 cases originating in Sedgwick, Butler, and Harvey counties. In response, five senior volunteers provide companionship, respite care, and assistance with daily activities to eight home-bound or disabled seniors identified as at-risk of becoming a victim of abuse. Companions are trained in the prevention of elder abuse and report any suspected incidences of abuse or neglect.
McCracken County Senior Citizens, Inc. - RSVP of Paducah-McCracken, Paducah, KY
The Medicaid Fraud Control Units (MFCUs) ranked Kentucky as the 5th highest rate of Medicare Fraud in the country during the fiscal year 2011. In response, the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) and RSVP volunteers work to educate seniors about Medicare fraud, waste, and abuse. Volunteers prepare information packets, host health fairs, and help Medicare recipients sign up for their Part D insurance supplement. Purchase Area Ombudsman volunteers serve at local nursing homes to ensure residents are given proper care and report elder abuse. Ombudsman volunteers are certified to identify and trained to report suspected abuse and neglect.
Department of Justice Elder Justice Information and Resources