Issue Position: Seniors

Issue Position

Seniors throughout Southern Illinois are often the strength of our communities as they work, volunteer, donate, mentor, and give back in countless ways to the communities that they helped to build. Our aging parents, grandparents, and relatives have an absolute right to age with dignity and I will support policies that protect seniors where they live and make it easier for them to deal with the government when they need to.

Abuse of the elderly is a vastly under-reported problem. Many seniors sadly face financial exploitation, verbal or physical abuse, and neglect; often at the hands of those closest to them. I am committed to tackling these issues and supporting law enforcement and Adult Protective Services in their mission to keep vulnerable seniors safe from predators. I support partnering the state with financial institutions and other businesses to educate their employees about the signs of financial exploitation of the elderly, or other abuse, to help stop it before it's too late. Our society as a whole should do more to educate citizens about how to prepare for growing older and to inform seniors about how they can be supported to continue living and flourishing in their homes and communities. I will work to promote policies that accomplish these goals.

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