On the recordMay 12, 2020
I rise to introduce the Promoting Alzheimer's Awareness to Prevent Elder Abuse Act. I am pleased to be joined by my colleagues, Senators Menendez and Grassley, in sponsoring this legislation that seeks to help combat elder abuse perpetrated against those living with Alzheimer's disease and related dementias. An estimated 5.8 million Americans aged 65 and older currently live with Alzheimer's disease. This disease takes a tremendous personal and economic toll on individuals and their families, and the COVID-19 crisis has made many of the challenges they face even more difficult. People living with Alzheimer's and related dementias make up a large proportion of all older Americans who receive adult day services and nursing home care, making them among those most vulnerable to COVID-19. Many of the public health and safety measures put in place to control the spread of COVID-19, including social distancing, also may contribute to social isolation, which is one of the greatest risk factors for elder abuse. This crisis has also given rise to a number of COVID-19-related scams seeking to financially exploit Americans of all ages, including seniors. Individuals with Alzheimer's are at greater risk for elder abuse. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, approximately one in ten Americans aged 60 and older have experienced elder abuse.…
Source
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