Prioritize President’s $25 Million Elder Justice Initiative Budget Request When Making Approps Request to Congress

There are approximately 6 million Elder Abuse victims in America. For every 1 case reported to authorities, 24 cases go unreported.The Elder Justice Act, passed in 2010, calls for funding Adult Protective Services (APS), the only statutorily authorized agency to protect older adults who are abused. APS programs lack funding as well as reliable information and guidance on conducting case investigations, and for staffing and managing APS programs. There is a dearth in the area of elder abuse research with virtually no information about victims or perpetrators, as well as no evidence-based practices. The President's FY 2015 budget calls for initial funding to help solve these issues and we encourage him to make Elder Justice a priority because everyone should be able to age with dignity.