NEGLECT OR ABUSE OF VULNERABLE ADULT
January 1, 2020
The Honorable Michelle Guyton
Maryland State Senate
Dear Senator Guyton,
RE: NEGLECT OR ABUSE OF VULNERABLE ADULT
As a nurse practitioner in one of the Maryland facilities, I am writing to request your support in the criminal law on neglect or abuse of vulnerable adults resulting in emotional distress enacted under Article II, section 17(c) of the Maryland constitution chapter 34. About 10% of the elderly population are suffering from neglect and abuse currently.
The world awareness on adult neglect and abuse has sponsored worldwide events highlighting the rising tragic issue of the elderly’s violation. This legislation is meant to help jurisdictions achieve the standards set on the united states administration on aging. This estimates that about 1 of 10 adults are neglected or abused every year. Older people play a significant role in contributing to society, and when they are neglected or abused, it diminishes them. America has addressed and confronted domestic violence and child abuse and has long ignored the problem facing elderly abuse.
Neglect or abuse of the elderly can be emotional, physical, or even sexual. Neglect, in this case, can appear to be of two types; self-neglect and being neglected by others. Elders who undergo neglection more likely to get hospitalized. As a nurse practitioner, I have noted that a fourth of those hospitalized proceed to nurse care homes while a third more likely die. However, most of the abusers from the hospital statistics are trusted members of the family, professionals, or even strangers. Furthermore, abuse can occur in various settings like the adults’ home, helped living residences or nursing homes.
I believe that measures can be enacted to prevent elderly abuse while treating them with care and respect. It is essential when masses are educated on the warning signs of neglect and abuse while learning on reporting the steps. Protective adult services, long term care programs, the police, and organizations should be available for information and assistance. Many abused or neglected elders are afraid and have no means of reporting how they suffer.
The Maryland state has to protect the elderly through enacting laws that punish the abusers when the action happens. Nursing care homes have to be guided by law as well as assisted living homes. The nursing home reform act was passed in 1987, which implies that the home care facilities should receive Medicaid and Medicare under the act. Under the nursing home reform act, patients are basically entitled to primary rights that govern treatment and care.
Also, the elderly justice act of 2009 was enacted as the patient protection and affordable care act made to aid in elderly coordination abuse prevention and detection programs in the offices of secretary of health and human services (HHS). This act outlines that the employees and operators are supposed to file a report about any suspicion of elder abuse to HHS local state and office at local authorities. Every state has the law of protecting and supporting the elderly, besides regulating home care nursing. The state’s level of services varies in terms of hotlines and helplines, referral services, protection of adult services, services of food support, and education of elder abuse and care.
Based on the reasons written above, I urge you to support the neglect or abuse of vulnerable adult’s bill to boost criminal law support towards promoting emotional distress. You may contact me for any additional information that may arise.
Sincerely,
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