Elder Abuse Report

Consumer Workgroup Lays out Public Policy Actions Necessary to Prevent/Deter Elder Abuse
Report urges lawmakers and regulators to take swift action to turn recommendations into laws and meaningful change

Saint Paul, MN – A workgroup consisting of five consumer-focused organizations today released a report containing recommendations to improve the care and safety of older and vulnerable Minnesotans in nursing homes and assisted living settings.

The Consumer Workgroup recommendations call for far-reaching policy and agency practice changes to prevent and deter abuse. The recommendations reflect the experiences of the collaborating organizations and a belief that older and vulnerable adults and their families should be at the center of any reform. They further reflect and incorporate feedback the group received from victims, family members, experts, providers, direct care workers, and advocates who responded to the request to convey their concerns and offer recommendations.

The recommendations focus on four, key areas:

• Strengthening and expanding rights of older and vulnerable adults and their families;
• Enhancing criminal and civil enforcement of rights;
• Developing new licensure frameworks for assisted living and dementia care across residential settings; and
• Improving MDH licensing regulation, OHFC enforcement and investigative process, and MAARC reporting.

Established by Governor Dayton in late 2017, the workgroup consists of AARP Minnesota, Alzheimer’s Association, Minnesota Elder Justice Center, Elder Voice Family Advocates, and Mid-Minnesota Legal Aid. The group’s charge was to develop recommendations to improve the care and safety of older and vulnerable Minnesotans in nursing homes and assisted living and to submit a report to the Governor by January 26, 2018.  AARP requested an extension and submitted the report on January 29, 2018.

Download the full report:  Minnesota Elder Abuse Report

Elder Abuse Survey with Member and Public Responses

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