The Elder Justice Act creates a combined law enforcement and public health approach to study, detect, treat, prosecute and, most importantly, prevent elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. After 25 years of congressional hearings on elder abuse without a legislative response, the Elder Justice Act marks the beginning of new horizons in the detection and prevention of elder abuse. The bill would:

1) Coordinate efforts and develop leadership at the national level by creating an Office of Elder Justice within the Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services, creating a federal home and securing funding for adult protective services activities at the federal level, and creating a public and private Elder Justice Coordinating Council to assure coordination of efforts at all levels, including  funding and assisting such entities at the state and local levels.

2) Create an "Elder Justice Research Center" and library to

3) Develop resources to protect consumers, increase collaboration and prevent abuse in long-term care settings; and

4) Evaluate funded projects and research to identify successful approaches to elder abuse prevention, prosecution, and victim services.

Advocacy Efforts and Further Information