This month the world recognizes the struggles of Alzheimer’s patients, families and caregivers world wide. In the United States alone we have 5.6 million patients of Alzheimer’s and related dementias. This number is expected to grow to 15 million by 2050.
The Alzheimer’s Association estimates from studies that 62% of dementia patients have suffered psychological abuse and 30% have suffered physical abuse. Alzheimer's disease robs many patients from communicating to first responders, social workers and investigators their abuse, making it difficult for them to resolve these issues. Financial abuse is even more difficult due to their cognitive impairments.
Those in the criminal justice system receive little training in dealing with Alzheimer’s and dementia patients, often seeing their lack of understanding and communication as being uncooperative or even combative.
The Promoting Elder Justice Act (H.R.6813) would require the Department of Justice (DOJ) to develop training materials on how to work with victims of abuse who have Alzheimer’s and other dementias. The legislation would also require DOJ to report annually on the dissemination and use of the
materials to Congress. Congress must act now to protect those that cannot protect themselves.
Join me in asking your representatives as I am asking my representative, Congressman David Scott to support the passage of H.R.6813.
Jim Williams
Smyrna, Georgia
