One Thousand Elder Abused in Only Six Counties

Posted by Michele Reaves

Syracuse, NY - Sen. Charles Schumer visited Syracuse today to talk about a congressional bill to fight physical and financial abuse of senior citizens.

More than 1,000 cases of elder abuse were reported in six Central New York counties in 2007, said Schumer, citing numbers from the state Office of Children and Family Services.

"What's so disturbing about this is for sure these are only a fraction of what is out there," Schumer, D-N.Y., said during a news conference at Vera House on Thompson Road. He said many seniors don't report abuse because they feel embarrassed or don't want to complain about their problems.

The Elder Justice Act, co-sponsored by Schumer, would create a federal Office of Elder Services in the Justice and Health and Human Services departments, Schumer said. The bill would call for training to provide better detection of problems, safe havens for abused seniors and tougher requirements that abuse be reported even if it reflects badly on a nursing home or other facility.