Elder abuse inflicted upon a person suffering from dementia is an unspeakable tragedy. Senator Collins’ bill provides the necessary training for frontline caregivers and others to protect those mature Americans who live with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias from harm and exploitation.
June 15, 2020
The Honorable Susan Collins
United States Senator for Maine
413 Dirksen Senate Office Building
Washington, DC 20510
Dear Senator Collins,
On behalf of the 2.1 million members of AMAC – Association of Mature American Citizens, including over 8700 residing in the state of Maine, I write to offer our support for S. 3703, the Promoting Alzheimer’s Awareness to Prevent Elder Abuse Act.
As an age 50 plus organization, AMAC is very engaged on the issue of elder abuse. We recognize that seniors who live with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias are especially vulnerable to harm and exploitation and need to be protected.
S. 3703 works toward providing this protection by requiring the development of training materials for anyone who responds, investigates, or prosecutes cases of elder abuse involving seniors afflicted with dementias. Your bill also instructs the Department of Justice to consult with the relevant stakeholders to ensure that the training materials are developed to be as effective as possible. This will ensure that caregivers, health providers, law enforcement and others can be fully aware of the cognitive, physical, and emotional symptoms people suffering with Alzheimer’s and other dementias experience.
Elder abuse inflicted upon a person suffering from dementia is an unspeakable tragedy. AMAC thanks you, Senator Collins, and your eight bipartisan cosponsors, for this important legislation that will protect the 5 million mature Americans who are living with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias from elder abuse.
We appreciate your commitment as Chairman of the Senate Aging Committee to helping those with dementia live safely and with dignity and are pleased to offer our organization’s full support for S. 3703, the Promoting Alzheimer’s Awareness to Prevent Elder Abuse Act.
Sincerely,
Bob Carlstrom
President,
AMAC Action
