A new group has formed to take concerns over abuses in guardianship systems across the country to the Presidential campaign.
The issues of most concern to senior citizens have not received much attention in the current Presidential nomination races. Candidates have discussed the high cost of prescription drugs, but there has been little discussion of the costs of long term care and elder abuse. Problems in guardianship systems have also not been mentioned despite a growing awareness that in many places shockingly little oversight has left seniors open to abuse.
That might change as 13 Action News reports in "Guardianship reform hits campaign trail" that organizers are hoping to get candidates to commit to acting on the issues.
The organizers have started a petition called "Senior Lives Matter." The petition is addressed to Marco Rubio, John Kasich, Donald Trump, Ted Cruz, Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders. Organizers hope that if they get enough support, the candidates will be compelled to address guardianship issues.
As of this writing the online petition has only received 220 signatures.
While this petition might not have the desired effect of injecting guardianship issues into the Presidential election, this is an issue that will not go away.
The guardianship systems in the United States are in need of reform in many places. Not reforming is to continue to leave seniors vulnerable to elder abuse, of both the physical and financial kind.
Whatever happens in the campaign, elder law advocates will continue to work on the issue at the state and local levels.
Reference: 13 Action News (March 8, 2016) "Guardianship reform hits campaign trail"
