Governor Jack A. Markell signed legislation into law on Tuesday that will provide greater protections for senior citizens and Delawareans with disabilities.
Sponsored by House Majority Whip Rep. Valerie J. Longhurst, D-Bear, House Bill 165 will give the public online access to the Adult Abuse Registry. Delawareans seeking to hire someone to help care for their elderly loved one will be able to easily go online and check the job applicant’s name against the registry.
“I believe senior citizens’ Golden Years should be the best years of their lives” Governor Markell said. “This will protect our seniors and help them safely remain in their homes as they age.”
As a member of the Delaware Nursing Home Residents Quality Assurance Commission, Rep. 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,” Rep. Longhurst said. “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?”
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.
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