ATTORNEY GENERAL TO ADDRESS AARP FOUNDATION'S

Thursday Speech First in Four Elder Justice Events in October

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Attorney General Janet Reno will address AARP Foundation's National Aging and Law Conference on Thursday, October 5, 2000 at 6:00 p.m. The Attorney General, who will deliver the keynote address, will also receive the Arthur S. Flemming Award for National Achievement in Law, Aging, and Social Policy.

The Conference is sponsored by the AARP Foundation, the American Bar Association's Commission on Legal Problems of the Elderly, the National Senior Citizens Law Center, and the Center for Social Gerontology.

WHEN: Thursday, October 5, 2000

6:00 p.m.

WHERE: Crystal City Marriott

1999 Jefferson Davis Highway

Salons D, E & F

Arlington, VA

The number of older Americans is projected to more than double in the next 30 years. To address this demographic change, the Department is assessing the role of law enforcement in protecting the interests of older citizens. In addition to Thursday's event, the Attorney General will be participating in several additional events throughout October concerning elder justice. The Attorney General will address the National Citizen's Coalition for Nursing Home Reform; participate in a roundtable discussion on medical forensic issues in elder abuse and neglect; and take part in a promising practice symposium to highlight programs from around the country that fight abuse, neglect, consumer fraud and financial exploitation of the older Americans.

The Department also has launched a Nursing Home Initiative, which focuses on enhanced enforcement; training; outreach to industry; resident advocates; medical professionals, academics and others; new legislation to address gaps in federal law; improved inter-governmental and interdisciplinary coordination; more effective use of data and victim assistance; and formation of State Working Groups to continue and replicate these efforts at the state and local levels. As part of this Initiative, the Department sponsored four regional Abuse and Neglect Prevention Conferences to increase coordination and enforcement, deter abuse and neglect, and promote quality care for our nursing home residents.

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