01 November 2011
More often than not, when we hear about elder abuse in the news, it is because something tragic has happened. However, now and then there is a glimmer of hope amidst the gloom. In September, Marie-Therese Connolly, an elder law attorney based in Washington, DC, was honored with a Genius Grant from the MacArthur Foundation as a result of her efforts relating to the prevention of elder abuse in the United States. The MacArthur Foundation awards $500,000 fellowships to those they describe as “extraordinarily talented and creative individuals” to use toward their work.
Connolly has her work cut out for her, as mistreatment and abuse of the elderly in the United States is a pervasive problem. Abuse and neglect of the elderly comes in various forms, and includes physical, emotional, verbal, sexual, financial, and self-inflicted neglect. There are estimates which suggest that upwards of 5 million victims suffer from abuse each year, with up to 96 percent of cases going unreported. When you combine the aging of the baby boomer generation with our prolonged economic difficulties, it stands to reason these numbers will only increase unless we change our efforts to combat elder abuse.
Connolly’s efforts to fight elder abuse are multi-faceted, and include approaching the issue from legal, policy, and legislative angles. Connolly was a key player in the passage of the Elder Justice Act – signed into law by President Obama in 2010 – the first federal legislation drafted to address the issues surrounding elder abuse and neglect. Currently, she works as a Director of Life Long Justice, which is involved in many elder abuse related projects, including tracking relevant data and legislation. Attorney Connolly has also testified before the Senate Special Committee on Aging in support of establishing an Office of Elder Justice. This award will allow Connolly to continue, and hopefully expand, her important work
Click here to listen to National Public Radio’s interview with Connolly.
Click here for more information and resources on elder abuse in Massachusetts.
Bed Hold Article Follow-up:
We alerted you in July to a proposed change to the MassHealth “bed hold” policy that was set to go into effect on November 1, 2011. The Boston Globe reported in an article last week that the Patrick administration has abandoned plans to end the program, which allows a MassHealth recipient to leave a nursing home for brief periods of time without losing their bed. This is certainly fortunate news for those in nursing homes who are now able to go home for the holidays without fear of losing their bed upon their return to the facility.
