CSCS: Council of Senior Centers and Services of NYC, Inc.

Elder Abuse Press Release

CONTACT:
BOBBIE SACKMAN, DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC POLICY
(212) 398-6565 X226
bsackman@cscs-ny.org

Mother Day is Approaching and Mayor Bloomberg is Eliminating all $800,000 of Elder Abuse Funding at the Department for the Aging

Elder abuse hurts and it is difficult to think or learn about any mother being abused on any day. Unfortunately, Mayor Bloomberg has proposed the elimination of all elder abuse funds, $800,000 at the Department for the Aging. Preliminary findings of a recent NY State study reports that almost one out of ten NYC residents over the age of 60 experience elder abuse. Disturbingly, for every one case reported to an authority, 24 cases go unreported. About 250,000 older New Yorkers statewide suffer from elder abuse which includes financial exploitation, physical, sexual and psychological abuse. This is the only city funding stream dedicated to provide social services to support elder abuse victims. Service providers, working closely with the D.A. offices, physicians, Adult Protective Services and other professionals, play a crucial role is helping victims secure orders of protection, provide long term counseling, accompany victim to court, and much more.

Bobbie Sackman, Director of Public Policy, CSCS, states, "As you celebrate Mother's Day, imagine your mother or grandmother as a victim of elder abuse. About 120,000 older residents in NYC experience financial, physical, sexual or emotional abuse with only one out of 24 incidents reported. It is time, as a city, for us to bring elder abuse out of the closet where it can receive the public attention and government funded services elder abuse victims desperately need. With the rapid growth of the elderly population, this shameful and painful problem in our city will only grow. As older citizens become frailer they are less likely to be able to prevent themselves from being abused by a family member or care taker. Call the Mayor at 311 and tell him that he has the power to protect elder abuse victims by not cutting the $800,000 from the Department for the Aging."

On May 11, CSCS will lead a group of older New Yorkers in its 16th Annual City Advocacy Day, including an 11:00 City Hall press conference. City Advocacy Day provides seniors an opportunity to meet face-to-face with their city council members and some senior staffers to oppose the Mayor's proposed cuts. It is critical that older adults have a voice in their own future.

The Council of Senior Centers and Services (CSCS) promotes the quality of life, independent living, productivity, and dignity of mature older adults principally in New York City. CSCS champions elder rights. For anecdotes on elder abuse, go to www.cscs-ny.org, "Making it Real" Campaign.