Des Moines Sun

Sens. Chuck Grassley and Richard Blumenthal have introduced a resolution in the Senate to recognize June as National Elder Abuse Awareness Month. The initiative aims to support seniors who have fallen victim to fraud schemes. The resolution also acknowledges the efforts of the Elder Justice Coalition in raising public awareness about elder abuse and urges those working with older adults to identify signs of abuse and promote prevention strategies.

Grassley is set to chair a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing on Tuesday, focusing on how scammers target senior citizens. This is part of his ongoing work to protect seniors from financial exploitation and ensure their security.

"Elder abuse isn’t limited by geography or income," Grassley stated. "It occurs in nursing homes and private residences—the very places meant to offer them care and protection." He emphasized the urgency of addressing this issue given the growing senior population in the country.

Blumenthal added, "Too many of our nation’s seniors are victims of physical abuse, emotional exploitation, and financial scams." He highlighted that senior citizens deserve peace, support, and care rather than anxiety and fear from potential threats.

Bob Blancato, National Coordinator for the Elder Justice Coalition, praised the resolution for raising national awareness about elder abuse. He noted its significance in empowering adult protective services and long-term care ombudsmen.

Elder abuse remains a complex issue manifesting in various forms such as physical, sexual, psychological abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, and social media abuse. Reports indicate that only a fraction of these cases are reported—one in 24 cases of elder abuse and one in 44 cases of elder financial exploitation come to light.

Grassley addressed the Senate floor before introducing the resolution: "Today I want to recognize June as National Elder Abuse Awareness Month...This is a time to shed light on a crisis that too often remains in the shadows."

He urged his colleagues to join him in honoring older Americans during this month while reaffirming commitments to protecting them from various forms of abuse.

The text of the resolution is available for public viewing online.