Pennsylvania Supreme Court Establishes Task Force To Study Elder Abuse, Exploitation Issues
The Pennsylvania Supreme Court has created an Elder Law Task Force charged with studying the growing problems involved with guardianship, abuse, and neglect, and access to justice involving the commonwealth’s senior citizens, according to the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts. The task force, which will be chaired by Justice Debra Todd, has been charged with recommending solutions that include amended court rules, legislation, education and best practices. “The increased population of older Pennsylvanians has strained the resources of our courts and their ability to provide services to these individuals,” Supreme Court Chief Justice Ronald Castille said in a statement. “The needs of this growing population will continue for years to come, especially in regards to guardianships, elder abuse, and access to justice. Now is the time to put in place solutions that will allow older Pennsylvanians to age without worries that they will be abused or their money will be taken.” The task force, which will be comprised of 38 elder law experts including judges, lawyers, and social workers, will be made up of three different subcommittees, one addressing appointment and qualifications of guardians and attorneys, one dealing with guardianship monitoring and data collection, and the last focusing on elder abuse and powers of attorney. The task force will have one year in which to complete its work.
