DELAWARE STATE SENATE

152nd GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 181

RECOGNIZING JUNE 15, 2024, AS "DELAWARE ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY".

WHEREAS, the National Council on Aging estimates that approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60 and above have experienced some form of elder abuse; and

WHEREAS, elder abuse can take many forms, including caregiver neglect, financial fraud and exploitation, physical abuse, psychological abuse, and sexual abuse; and

WHEREAS, throughout the world, abuse and neglect of the elderly is largely unrecognized, with the majority of cases of elder abuse going unreported; and

WHEREAS, the trauma of elder abuse may have a significant negative impact on an individual’s physical, mental, and emotional wellbeing; and

WHEREAS, social isolation and memory-impacting conditions, such as Alzheimer’s disease and all other dementias, make older adults vulnerable to abuse, with studies suggesting that nearly half of those with dementia experience some form of abuse or neglect; and

WHEREAS, no state, county, or municipality is immune from this costly public health and human rights crisis; and

WHEREAS, research indicates that public education events such as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day are vital for raising community awareness of, and mobilizing community action against, elder abuse and neglect and financial exploitation; and

WHEREAS, the State of Delaware, through the Department of Health and Social Services, is addressing the problems of elder abuse and neglect in the First State; and

WHEREAS, the State of Delaware, through the Delaware Nursing Home Residents Quality Assurance Commission, is addressing the problems of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of elderly and vulnerable adults in our State; and

WHEREAS, the State of Delaware, through the Department of Justice, is addressing the problem of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of the elderly in our State; and

WHEREAS, Community Legal Aid Society, Inc. (“CLASI”) is addressing the problem of abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of elderly and vulnerable adults in our State; and

WHEREAS, the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse has joined with the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse to annually recognize June 15th as “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day” to raise awareness of and mobilize community action against all forms of elder abuse.

NOW, THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 152nd General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that June 15, 2024, is recognized as “Delaware Elder Abuse Awareness Day” in this State.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all Delawareans are urged to take the opportunity to learn more about how to protect and nurture our elderly citizens.

SYNOPSIS

This resolution recognizes June 15, 2024, as "Elder Abuse Awareness Day" in Delaware.

Author: Senator Mantzavinos