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Bill takes aim at growing problem of elder abuse
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By DANETTA BARKER Staff Writer
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The problem of elder abuse grows daily, according to statistics.
Those same statistics show abuse is not only physical, but mental, emotional and financial, as well.
To curb the problem, Kentucky's General Assembly passed a bill that Rep. Mike Denham said will combine efforts of agencies to provide better protection for Kentucky's elderly.
The bill states that it will promote coordination and efficiency among agencies and entities that have a responsibility to respond to the abuse, neglect, or exploitation of adults.
The Cabinet for Families and Children and the Department for Community Based Services of the Cabinet for Families and Children are the major agencies in Kentucky that deal with abuse.
By profession, Denham is a banker and in that field he has seen many cases of financial abuse of elders.
"We have seen increases in financial abuse and it takes a lot of different forms," Denham said. "It is not necessarily family members."
As a cosponsor of the bill, Denham was excited to see the bill progress through the House of Representatives and the Senate without a negative vote.
"No one voted against this bill," Denham said.
The bill calls for training for court officials in the area of adult abuse outside of domestic violence. Eight hours of training on elder abuse, neglect and exploitation for prosecutors and a four-hour update for assistant prosecutors every five years are required. Victims advocates are also required to have training.
Long Term Ombudsman for Buffalo Trace Area Development District Beth Love said the bill has been needed for many years. As ombudsman, Love visits public facilities that care for the elderly and helps protect their rights. Although she has never seen any abuse, financial or physical, in facilities, she said that sometimes those forms of abuse do happen within the family.
Sarah Anderson, a case worker with BTADD, visits the elderly in their homes where she said abuse does occur.
"I've seen it all in my 17 years with Buffalo Trace," Anderson said. "Caregivers or family members who write checks for an elderly person often will take advantage."
Anderson said that when she suspects abuse of any kind, she taps into resources such as health care providers to find out if her fears are real. Once a case is established, then Anderson can proceed with intervention measures.
The bill states that the cabinet will have the primary responsibility for investigation and the provision of protective services. However, any person including physicians, law enforcement officers, nurses, social workers, cabinet personnel, coroner, medical examiner and care givers can report abuse to the cabinet. Death of an adult does not relieve a person of the responsibility to report the circumstances surrounding the death.
The cabinet will develop standardized procedures for notifying appropriate authorized agencies when an investigation begins and when conditions justify notification.
By Nov. 1 of each year, any authorized agency that receives a report of adult abuse, neglect or exploitation is required to submit a written report to the cabinet which provides the current status of the case.
Denham said he hopes these and other measures will protect Kentucky's growing elder population from financial and physical abuse and neglect.
"We think this bill is important," Denham said. "In the next couple of years, the Baby Boomers will be among the elderly. We are looking at, in a few years, 30 million people over the age of 65."
Contact Danetta Barker at Danetta.Barker@lee.net or call 564-9091, ext. 272. |
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