Protect People with Dementia from Elder Abuse!

Alzheimer’s is a progressive brain disease that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. As the disease advances through the brain, an individual may experience difficulty with remembering newly learned information, confusion with time or place, decreased or poor judgement, and changes in mood or personality. As someone who is caring for/has cared for my loved one/mother/father/grandparent, I know how important it is to recognize and understand the unique needs of individuals living with dementia.
The loss of cognition associated with Alzheimer’s not only deems individuals unable to advocate for themselves, it also heightens their risk for experiencing elder abuse. Given the growing number of people living with dementia, social services and criminal justice professionals will increasingly encounter this vulnerable group, and working with them can be fundamentally different than working with other victims of abuse or exploitation. Yet these professionals receive little or no training, and I implore Congress to change this. My father had Alzheimer’s and was force fed corn in his nursing home. He aspirated corn. The hospital was shocked to see how much corn was in his esophagus and lungs. He had to be intubated. After 3 days they removed the tube along with an enormous amount of corn. He passed away 10 days later right after his birthday.
By co-sponsoring and passing the bipartisan Promoting Alzheimer’s Awareness to Prevent Elder Abuse Act (S. 3703/H.R. 6813), our Representative Bobby Rush can improve elder abuse training to specifically include dementia. If passed, the Department of Justice would ensure these professionals are educated and equipped to properly communicate with and protect victims of elder abuse living with Alzheimer’s and all other dementia.
Please join me in asking Congressman/woman Bobby Rush to co-sponsor and pass this vital legislation as we work together to protect the more than 5 million American’s living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias.
Angel BrudnickiMokena IL 60448