SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 895
WHEREAS, People who are elderly or have disabilities have
contributed to the State of Texas by helping to preserve customs,
convictions, and traditions of many diverse backgrounds; they
are vital and integral members of our society, and their wisdom
and experience have enriched our lives; and
WHEREAS, Texas has approximately 2.4 million residents
aged 65 or older, and over 1.7 million adults in Texas age 18 to
64 live with a disability; many of these adults are vulnerable
because they live alone or are dependent on others for their
care; isolation is a factor that places them at risk for abuse,
neglect, or exploitation; abuse of the elderly in domestic and
institutional settings is a widespread problem, affecting
hundreds of thousands of people across the country; and
WHEREAS, Signs of maltreatment include depression,
withdrawal, isolation, physical injuries, and financial
exploitation; and
WHEREAS, The Adult Protective Services program of the
Texas Department of Family and Protective Services investigates
allegations of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of the elderly or
adults with disabilities; in Fiscal Year 2010, Adult Protective
Services completed 82,802 such investigations involving adults
living at home; of these, more than 56,000 were confirmed; and
WHEREAS, In the last decade, the number of in-home cases of
reported abuse, neglect, or exploitation investigated by Adult
Protective Services has more than doubled; more than 82 percent
of the validated allegations of in-home maltreatment include
neglect, which is the failure to provide the goods or services
necessary to avoid physical or emotional harm or pain; and
WHEREAS, Because of illness or diminished mental capacity,
vulnerable adults may no longer be able to provide adequately for
their own health and safety; they may live in unsanitary
conditions, without heat or running water, or may need assistance
with meals and other daily activities; they may also require
medical care; they may be exploited financially by family
members, new purported friends, unscrupulous caregivers,
swindlers, and others; and
WHEREAS, Texans have a duty to protect people of all ages
from abuse, neglect, and exploitation; citizens should make it
their mission to remember the elderly and adults with
disabilities in their communities; protecting vulnerable adults
from maltreatment is everyone's business, and citizens can learn
more about this issue through the Adult Protective Services It's
Everyone's Business campaign and website; concerned Texans can
and should report suspected abuse or neglect of people who are
elderly or have disabilities through available hotlines or by
contacting local law enforcement; and
WHEREAS, May has traditionally been designated as the
month to recognize elder abuse prevention; many people wear or
display silver ribbons to drive home the message that elder abuse
will not be tolerated and that the elderly are not forgotten, not
only during May but throughout the year; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That the Senate of the State of Texas, 82nd
Legislature, hereby proclaim May of 2011 to be Elder Abuse
Prevention Month in Texas and urge all citizens to work together
to help reduce abuse, neglect, and exploitation of vulnerable
adults; and, be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution be prepared in
honor of Elder Abuse Prevention Month.
Nelson
________________________________
President of the Senate
I hereby certify that the
above Resolution was adopted by
the Senate on May 2, 2011.
________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
________________________________
Member, Texas Senate