SPONSOR:	Sen. Hall-Long & Rep. Longhurst & Rep. Barbieri

DELAWARE STATE SENATE

148th GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SENATE CONCURRENT RESOLUTION NO. 24

RECOGNIZING JUNE 15, 2015 AS "DELAWARE ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS DAY."

WHEREAS, it is generally believed that 4-6% of the elderly are abused; and

WHEREAS, throughout the world, abuse and neglect of the elderly is largely unrecognized; and

WHEREAS, no State, county, or municipality is immune from this costly public health and human rights crisis; and

WHEREAS, research indicates that public education events such as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day are vital for raising community awareness of, and mobilizing community action against, elder abuse and neglect and financial exploitation; and

WHEREAS, the State of Delaware, through the Delaware Department of Health and Social Services, is addressing the problems of elder abuse and neglect in the First State; and

WHEREAS, the State of Delaware, through the Delaware Nursing Home Residents Quality Assurance Commission, is addressing the problems of elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of elderly and vulnerable adults in our State; and

WHEREAS, the State of Delaware, through its Department of Justice, is addressing the problem of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of the elderly in our State; and

WHEREAS, the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse has joined with the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse to annually recognize June 15^th as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day; and

WHEREAS, the General Assembly believes it is appropriate to recognize June 15^th as "Delaware Elder Abuse Awareness Day" in our State;

NOW THEREFORE:

BE IT RESOLVED by the Senate of the 148th General Assembly of the State of Delaware, the House of Representatives concurring therein, that June 15, 2015, is hereby recognized as "Delaware Elder Abuse Awareness Day" in this State.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that all Delawareans are urged to take an opportunity to learn more about how to protect and nurture our elderly citizens.