In an effort to protect New York’s seniors from being taken advantage of, Assemblymember Harry Bronson (D-Rochester/Chili/Henrietta) announced the Assembly has passed a legislative package aimed at protecting them against abuse, fraud and financial exploitation.

“Elder abuse is a violation of Human Rights and we need to continue taking steps that expand protections for seniors to keep them safe from harm,” said Assemblymember Bronson. “By increasing awareness about elder abuse and making certain seniors are familiar with the resources available to them, we can decrease the likelihood of our seniors falling victim to predators that target seniors.”

Specifically, the measures passed in the Assembly include:

• requiring the Department of Financial Services to develop guidelines for reporting suspected financial exploitation of the elderly in consultation with the state Office for the Aging, state attorney general, representatives of the financial services industry, law enforcement, senior groups and district attorneys (A.1783-B);
• requiring advertisements for professionals that include a title or designation indicating knowledge or training in senior issues to also disclose the source of that title or designation (A.1787-A);
• educating senior residents at Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) and Neighborhood NORCs on how to recognize the signs of elder abuse and exploitation (A.7231); and
• requiring the Department of Financial Services to develop a program that seniors would be able to opt into to receive additional protection in the event of suspected financial exploitation (A.7345-B).

This legislative package builds on Assemblymember Bronson’s efforts to protect older adults from exploitation, physical abuse, neglect and emotional abuse. This year Assemblymember Bronson helped deliver an unprecedented $750,000 in funding for Lifespan’s Elder Abuse Prevention Program. Based in Rochester, Lifespan’s EAPP protects New York’s most frail and vulnerable adult population by providing direct intervention services, public education, and training for professionals to assist victims.