Delaware Bill Seeks Stronger Protections for Elderly, Disabled

June 4, 2009 -- DOVER – Delaware Governor Jack Markell, Rep. Valerie Longhurst and Sen. Patricia Blevins joined with advocates Wednesday to call for greater protections for senior citizens and Delawareans with disabilities.

Markell thanked Longhurst and Blevins for introducing House Bill 165, which will give the public online access to the Adult Abuse Registry. Delawareans seeking to hire someone to help care for their elderly loved one could easily go online and check the job applicant’s name against the registry. HB 165 is scheduled to receive a committee hearing later this month.

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“I believe senior citizens’ Golden Years should be the best years of their lives,” Markell said. “This will protect our seniors and help them safely remain in their homes as they age. By allowing public access to the registry, we’re allowing the public to have peace of mind that they are doing everything possible to ensure their loved ones are safe and well cared for.”

As a member of the Delaware Nursing Home Residents Quality Assurance Commission, House Majority Whip Rep. Valerie Longhurst heard the discussion on the Adult Abuse Registry and how difficult it is for an individual to gain access to the list. An individual who has an elderly relative that they want to get home care for must submit a signed affidavit to gain access to the registry, which could take weeks.

“People have to jump through hoops to get this vital information, which helps families make important health care decisions,” said Rep. Longhurst, D-Bear. “This bill would put the registry online. We already do this for sex offenders to protect children, why not do the same to protect seniors from those who have already been proven to financially exploit or abuse seniors?”

Senate Majority Whip Patricia Blevins, the lead Senate sponsor of HB 165, said, “opening up the records of the Adult Abuse Registry to the public is an important step in protecting Delaware’s children, hospital patients, and frail elderly. None of us wants our loved ones cared for by people with a record of abuse. This new law will ensure that we all have the tools we need to protect our family members.”

Susan Del Pesco, director of the Division of Long Term Care Resident Protection, said the bill is important because Delaware’s senior citizen population is increasing much faster than other states.

“The number of people requiring assistance at home or in a facility is growing, and with that growth there is a need to have immediate access to information which helps families and employers screen the caregivers hired to provide that assistance,” she said. “The proposed legislation will make access to the Adult Abuse Registry readily available on the internet, protecting those needing care, and giving comfort to those making hiring decisions.”

Between the years 2000 and 2030, the US population over 65 is expected to double while Delaware's over-65 population is expected to grow by almost 134 percent.

“AARP applauds Governor Markell, Representative Longhurst, and Senator Blevins for their effort to make the Adult Abuse Registry available to the public,” said Delaware AARP Director Brian Posey. “Delawareans overwhelming express a desire to remain in their home and community as they age. HB 165 will help ensure that families can hire caregivers who have not been listed on the Adult Abuse Registry for previous incidents of abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation.”

Source: Delaware Governor