![]() As few as 1 in 6 cases of elder abuse come to the attention of authorities, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse. ![]() But research shows that elder abuse is significantly under-reported and under-identified. The American Psychological Association estimates that 2.1 million older Americans become victims of abuse each year. The goal of the Senate hearing was to draw attention to this widely underreported problem and coordinate federal, state and local efforts to combat it. The issue of elder abuse has been in the national spotlight recently when Mickey Rooney testified before the Senate Committee on Aging in a first-ever hearing about his own personal experience as a victim of elder abuse. The AARP-backed measure proposes to strengthen Montana Power of Attorney Laws so that seniors are better protected. Montana Adult Protective Services reports that the vast majority of elder financial abuse cases involve Power of Attorney abuse. Unfortunately, under Montana law, the Power of Attorney has also been labeled as the “power to steal”. The Power of Attorney has become a commonly used, inexpensive, valuable tool for advanced planning – allowing a person to designate someone to handle their financial affairs. Current Montana law lacks adequate consumer protections with respect to financial Powers of Attorney. Our seniors have the right to live out their lives in a safe environment with access to the best care possible, and that is why AARP Montana is working to fight elder abuse on several fronts.” In addition to sponsoring the Elder Abuse Conference, AARP Montana supported legislation this year to strengthen Montana’s financial exploitation laws by adopting the essential protections of the Uniform Power of Attorney Act. “As a society, we must take action to put an end these terrible injustices against the elderly, or the problem will continue to get worse. “Our aging population is growing, and with that, so are the incidents of elder abuse and neglect,” said Joy Bruck, AARP Montana State President. Under the theme “Tools to Protect: Confronting Elder Exploitation” the all-day conference will explore the extent of the problem in Montana and the tools available to protect victims of elder abuse. He is currently the National Coordinator of the Elder Justice Coalition, a bi-partisan, 650 member organization working to promote elder justice in the United States. He later spearheaded the successful efforts to pass the Elder Justice Act, which President Barack Obama signed into law in 2010. Blancato was appointed by former President Bill Clinton as the Executive Director of the White House Conference on Aging in 1995. Astor Case Raises Awareness of Elder Abuse. More on Elder Abuse Mickey Rooney Claims Elder Abuse Ending Elder Abuse. Headlining the event is nationally-renowned aging policy expert Bob Blancato. Scams & Fraud Nationally Renowned Expert to Speak at AARP-Sponsored Elder Abuse Conference In its ongoing efforts to fight the growing problem elder abuse in the state, AARP Montana is partnering with Big Sky Senior Services to present an elder abuse prevention conference on May 25 in Billings. Nationally Renowned Expert to Speak at AARP-Sponsored Elder.
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