Bill Text: NY K00414 | 2021-2022 | General Assembly | Introduced

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Bill Title: Memorializing Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 15, 2021, as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in the State of New York

Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Democrat 6-0)

Status: (Passed) 2021-06-08 - adopted [K00414 Detail]

Download: New_York-2021-K00414-Introduced.html

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Assembly Resolution No. 414

BY: M. of A. Kim

        MEMORIALIZING Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim
        June  15,  2021, as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in the
        State of New York

  WHEREAS, Elder citizens bring a wealth of experience  and  knowledge
to countless endeavors, helping to shape and strengthen the character of
our communities and the quality of our lives; and

  WHEREAS,  It  is  the  sense of this Legislative Body to memorialize
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim  June  15,  2021,  as  Elder  Abuse
Awareness  Day  in  the  State  of  New  York,  in  conjunction with the
observance of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day; and

  WHEREAS, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was launched  on  June  15,
2006, by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and
the World Health Organization at the United Nations; and

  WHEREAS, The purpose of World Elder Abuse Awareness is to provide an
opportunity  for  communities  around  the  world  to  promote  a better
understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness
of the cultural, social, economic and  demographic  processes  affecting
elder abuse and neglect; and

  WHEREAS,  World  Elder  Abuse  Awareness  Day  is  a  day  in  which
organizations and individuals  from  around  the  world  participate  in
activities and events to raise awareness about the mistreatment of older
adults; and

  WHEREAS,  There  is a lack of awareness and acknowledgement of elder
abuse; we can bring attention to elder abuse and help stop the  violence
against  older  members  of  our community; in establishing June 15th as
Elder Abuse Awareness Day we can support older Americans and  strive  to
reduce and eliminate abuse and neglect; and

  WHEREAS, Nearly five million cases of elder abuse occur each year in
the  United States, but researchers estimate that 85% of these incidents
go unreported; around the world and in the State of New York  abuse  and
neglect  of  older  adults  continues to be under-recognized and largely
untreated; and

  WHEREAS, Financial  abuse  alone  costs  older  Americans  over  $30
billion  each  year;  more  than  half  of  the  time,  family, friends,
caregivers and neighbors are the culprits in financial abuse cases; and

  WHEREAS, Data on elder abuse in domestic settings suggest that  only
around  one  in  14  incidents  come to the attention of authorities; of
these cases, the most common forms  of  abuse  are  physical  abuse  and
financial exploitation; and

  WHEREAS, Close to 50% of elders living with dementia will experience
some  form  of  abuse;  elders  who  have been abused have nearly a 300%
higher risk of death when compared to those who are not mistreated; and

  WHEREAS, Many victims do not seek legal repercussions for the  abuse
and  neglect against them, even if they have the means of doing so; they
are often unaware that they have a right to do so; and

  WHEREAS,  Studies  show  that abused and non-abused elders' level of
depression differs significantly, with the victims showing higher levels
of depression; and

  WHEREAS, Compared to non-victims, the victims of elder  mistreatment
had  significantly  higher levels of psychological distress, less social
support and perceived self-efficacy; victims who  received  more  social
support tended to show less psychological distress; and

  WHEREAS,   There   are  several  different  forms  of  elder  abuse,
including:   physical abuse, sexual abuse,  emotional  or  psychological
abuse,  neglect,  abandonment,  financial exploitation and self-neglect;
all forms are often under-reported; and

  WHEREAS, The Legislators of New York State have  been  studying  and
reviewing this serious societal problem through hearings across New York
State, and are determined to find a solution that will provide increased
protection  and  services  to the elder citizens of New York State; now,
therefore, be it

  RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its  deliberations  to
memorialize Governor Andrew M. Cuomo to proclaim June 15, 2021, as Elder
Abuse Awareness Day in the State of New York; and be it further

  RESOLVED,  That  a  copy  of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to The Honorable Andrew M. Cuomo, Governor of the  State  of
New York.