Poe bats for protection against elderly abuse

In a statement on Thursday, Poe cited the particularly alarming development in the incidence of elder abuse as she filed Senate Bill 946, which aims to protect senior citizens from abuse, neglect, and exploitation. (File photo: Grace Poe/Facebook)

MANILA — Senator Grace Poe wants to institutionalize an assistance program to victims of elder abuse and the training of health and government professionals to assist such victims.

In a statement on Thursday, Poe cited the particularly alarming development in the incidence of elder abuse as she filed Senate Bill 946, which aims to protect senior citizens from abuse, neglect, and exploitation.

“As elders become frailer, they are less able to stand up to bullying or to fight back if attacked. They may not see or hear as well or think as clearly as they used to, leaving openings for unscrupulous people to take advantage of them,” Poe said.

The bill proposes to establish an Elder Victim Assistance Program, which is an inter-agency task force led by the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).

The said program shall provide services to all victims of elder abuse, including: immediate emergency services such as shelter, care, food, clothing, and other life services; counseling and assistance in accessing health care, educational, pension, or other benefits; mental health screenings; emergency legal advocacy; job placement assistance and information; bereavement counseling for families of victims; and education to avoid being victimized, abused, or exploited.

The bill also mandates the DSWD and Department of Health staff and professionals providing various health services to undergo a mandatory continuing education and training program to sensitize and empower them to become effective frontline personnel in the delivery of health service to the victims of elderly abuse.

The budget for the program shall be included in the annual appropriations of the DSWD.