In Support of Screenings/Training on Elder Abuse

WHEREAS, the World Health Organization expects the global population of older adults to approximate 22 percent by 2050, a percentage that continues to rise every year. Moreover, 1 in 10 older adults and many AFT members report having experienced elder mistreatment. However, only 1 in 1,000 older adults in emergency departments are diagnosed with elder mistreatment; and

WHEREAS, the Administration on Aging within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services reports that 5 million adults experience abuse, neglect and self-neglect every year. And the National Institute on Aging reports hundreds of thousands of adults over the age of 60 experience some form of abuse, whether physical, financial or emotional exploitation. Healthcare costs from violence and abuse to older adults are estimated to be over $5.3 billion annually; and

WHEREAS, hospitals are not consistently screening for the detection of elder abuse. Medicare has required providers to perform certain routine screenings, but not yet mandated any screenings for elder abuse. Caregivers are not receiving consistent and adequate training on elder abuse; and when elder abuse is identified, there is not often the training on how to properly report it; and

WHEREAS, that the AFT, throughout our history, has committed to the defense of the most vulnerable members of our communities:

RESOLVED, that the AFT will renew its commitment to the senior population across the United States. The AFT will work with its partners in the labor movement to advocate for our aging population; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will commit to being a voice for older adults and to speaking for this population on a national level. The AFT will identify stakeholders to sit on the various councils and boards identified by or germane to the Elder Justice Act of 2010, and charge our local affiliates to improve elder care delivery through public policy advocacy and professional education, training, research in aging, and collaboration across all healthcare settings; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will use its influence with the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to require screenings for elder abuse at Medicare wellness visits, and that employersprovide the time needed for healthcare providers to perform these screenings and adequately follow up; and

RESOLVED, that the AFT will support all those who do the work for the elderly, including in-home caregivers, by organizing those not yet represented by a union and building model language for local unions to propose in contract bargaining that will improve the standards of care for the aging and senior population.