In March 2010, the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published its Congressional Report on the Feasibility of Establishing a Uniform National Database on Elder Abuse. Almost four months later, the HHS announced the establishment of the Elder Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation (EANE) Advisory Board. Through the findings of the HHS Congressional Report and the creation of the EANE Advisory Board, advocates have another tool to use in the fight against elder abuse.
The HHS Congressional Report was the result of the passage of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act's inclusive Elder Justice Act. In a special provision, the Secretary of HHS and the Attorney General were to conduct a study assessing current elder abuse data collection systems and examining the feasibility of establishing a uniform national elder abuse database. As a result of the study, the drafters addressed a number of weaknesses in existing elder abuse data collection and plan to build a comprehensive cross-disciplinary national database.
Also created under the authority of the Elder Justice Act, the EANE Advisory Board has a mission of ending elder abuse. While this board will examine relevant research related to the abuse, exploitation and neglect of senior Americans, it will also work to establish best practices for local, state, and federal elder justice programs, initiatives, and training, which include elder abuse databases.
The EANE Advisory Board will serve as a responsive entity that will guide research efforts on the issue of elder mistreatment and work as a multi-disciplinary group to find solutions to our national problem. This group's work will compliment other initiatives mandated by the Elder Justice Act, which include creation of Elder Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation Forensic Centers and funding for nursing facility training, ombudsman programs and support for adult protective services offices.
At present, the HHS had already begun considering nominees for its 27-member advisory board. These members will have special experience and expertise in the area of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation prevention, as well as intervention, investigation, prosecution, treatment and detection of elder abuse.
In order to end elder abuse, evidence-based solutions must be developed. The findings of the HHS Congressional Report and their implementation through the EANE Advisory Board are not the first step on the road to elder abuse prevention, but this is a step in the right direction.
If you or a loved one has been injured as a result of elder or nursing home abuse and neglect, contact a personal injury lawyer.
