The House voted in favor of a resolution sponsored by Rep. Jerry Knowles (R-Berks/Schuylkill) calling for a study of Pennsylvania’s existing network of elder abuse task forces and to assess the feasibility of expanding the network across the state, on Sept. 24.
“Pennsylvania has the fourth highest percentage of residents age 65 and older, only behind Florida, Maine and West Virginia; and sadly, elder abuse is on the rise in Pennsylvania and across the nation,” Knowles explained.
In fiscal year 2012-13, more than 18,500 reports of abuse were documented in the Commonwealth. Of those reports, cases of neglect represent more than 64 percent.
Currently, the state Department of Aging oversees the Older Adults Protective Services Act (OAPSA) for individuals who are 60 years of age and older. The department works closely with the 53 local Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs) that implement the OAPSA program at the local level.
“Victimized senior citizens should receive protective services and the ability to seek the restitution and justice they deserve,” Knowles stated. “As the volume of abuse cases increase, so does the demand placed on our local Area Agencies on Aging.”
To date, there are 33 multidisciplinary elder abuse task forces, created in cooperation with the local AAAs that are comprised of professionals from many different genres to work together and combat elder abuse.
Knowles notes that the Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance Inc., (SEAPA) began as the Schuylkill County Elder Abuse Task Force and has evolved into a 501(c) 3 nonprofit corporate entity that is recognized statewide and nationally for the work it does to promote awareness of elder abuse, teaching the public and elder service providers about elder abuse and ensuring that crimes against the elderly are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“These task forces have proven that public awareness, education and community partnerships are crucial to properly address this issue,” Knowles said. “Each task force is unique and tailored to meet the needs of each individual community, and I believe we need to make sure every area of our state has a task force available.”
House Resolution 929 directs the Legislative Budget and Finance Committee (LBFC) to review the existing elder abuse task forces and to develop a profile of each existing task force model. Knowles’ measure also requires the committee to identify funding mechanisms used for operation of the task forces, as well as barriers that were overcome in achieving their establishment.
The study should include: identification of key factors that contributed to the establishment and continued operation of the task forces; funding mechanisms used for operation; barriers that were overcome in achieving their establishment; and identification of areas that do have task forces and recommendations regarding the potential need to do so.
The resolution requires the LBFC to prepare a report of its findings and recommendations, and to transmit copies of the report to the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee within six months of when it’s adopted.
Knowles’ resolution was the focus of the House Aging and Older Adult Services Committee on Sept. 17. The resolution has been adopted.
For more information about House Resolution 929, or any state-related issue, contact Knowles district office in Tamaqua at 570-668-1240, or in Hamburg at 610-562-3411, or visit www.RepKnowles.com.
