SR 337

                                                PRINTER'S NO.   1797
             THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
     SENATE RESOLUTION
        No. 337
                                          Session of
                                            2026
INTRODUCED BY CULVER, BARTOLOTTA, COMITTA, MASTRIANO, HAYWOOD,
   MARTIN, STREET, HUGHES, PICOZZI, YAW, COSTA AND COLLETT,
   JUNE 8, 2026
REFERRED TO RULES AND EXECUTIVE NOMINATIONS, JUNE 8, 2026
                          A RESOLUTION
1 Recognizing June 15, 2026, as "World Elder Abuse Awareness Day"
2    in Pennsylvania.
3    WHEREAS, "World Elder Abuse Awareness Day" is observed to
4 raise awareness about the forms and causes of elder abuse,
5 highlight the impact it has on older adults and reinforce the
6 shared responsibility to safeguard the well-being of older
7 Pennsylvanians; and
8    WHEREAS, Over the last five years, the Department of Aging
9 has recorded an 84% increase in "Reports of Need"; and
10    WHEREAS, In fiscal year 2024-2025, there were 66,719 reports
11 of need Statewide, which is a 14% increase from the previous
12 fiscal year; and
13    WHEREAS, The most common substantiated allegations of abuse
14 include self-neglect, caregiver neglect, financial exploitation,
15 emotional abuse and physical abuse; and
16    WHEREAS, Half of the victims in fiscal year 2024-2025 lived
17 alone, placing them at greater risk of social isolation and
1 related poor health outcomes; and
2    WHEREAS, Pennsylvania is home to more than 3.5 million adults
3 60 years of age and older, representing nearly 30% of the
4 Commonwealth's population; and
5    WHEREAS, Financial exploitation continues to grow at an
6 alarming rate, often affecting older adults who may be
7 experiencing cognitive decline and therefore have increased
8 difficulty recognizing or responding to irregular or suspicious
9 financial activity; and
10    WHEREAS, Emotional and physical abuse continue to be serious
11 issues, contributing to diminishing quality of life and
12 increased vulnerability, and can have lasting impacts on the
13 families of older adults; and
14    WHEREAS, "World Elder Abuse Awareness Day" provides an
15 opportunity to reflect upon and commit to utilizing every tool
16 and resource available to ensure that Pennsylvania's older
17 adults can live with confidence, dignity and peace of mind
18 knowing some of their most vulnerable years are free from fear,
19 hurt and harm; therefore be it
20    RESOLVED, That the Senate recognize June 15, 2026, as "World
21 Elder Abuse Awareness Day" in Pennsylvania.
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