Grassley Works to Raise Awareness of Elder Abuse & Exploitation

Press Release

In recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley and several Senate colleagues today introduced a bipartisan resolution to bring attention to crimes against the aging community. June 15th marks the 11th anniversary of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

An estimated six million Americans over the age of 60 fall victim to abuse or exploitation each year, and many of those crimes go unreported. Financial crimes targeting elders robs them of at least $2.9 billion annually. Half of all dementia patients will experience some form of abuse or neglect, and elderly victims of such physical or emotional abuse are three times more likely to die earlier than peers who are not abused.

The Senate resolution calls on private citizens and public agencies of all levels of government to work together to bring attention to and combat increasing levels of abuse, neglect, exploitation and violence against older adults and vulnerable people. Raising awareness of elder abuse is an important step toward greater reporting and prevention of such crimes. The resolution also recognizes those who provide care for seniors as well as those who work to prevent exploitation and promote justice for victims.

Grassley has recently launched several inquiries to combat crimes against seniors, from financial scams to privacy violations of vulnerable nursing home residents. Grassley is also working to ensure that perpetrators of crimes against vulnerable seniors are held accountable for the full extent of their crime.

Today's resolution was introduced by Sen. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.), and is cosponsored by Sens. Susan Collins (R-Maine), Kelley Ayotte (R-N.H.), Clair McCaskill (D-Mo.), Bob Casey (D-Penn.), Tom Cotton (R-Ark.), Thom Tillis (R-N.C.), Christopher Murphey (D-Conn.), and Dean Heller (R-Nev.), along with Grassley.

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