Written Testimony - HB 23, Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (March 17, 2021)
Summary
Written testimony in support of HB 23, presented by Larke Recchie, CEO of the Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging, before the Ohio House of Representatives Commerce and Labor Committee on March 17, 2021. The Association states that education and training can help first responders address a difficult situation and ensure the safety of individuals with dementia. It reports that Ohio has the 6th largest population age 65 or older in the nation, and that this population will increase by 40% by 2030 compared to 2015. It suggests that the language proposed in HB 23 on where first responders report suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation be consistent with Ohio Revised Code Section 5101.63, which names the adult protective services unit of the county department of job and family services.
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“Written Testimony - HB 23, Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (March 17, 2021).”
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Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging
1263 East Broad Street
Columbus, OH 43205
(614) 481-3511
www.ohioaging.org
@o4aadvocacy
Testimony before the Ohio House of Representatives
Commerce and Labor Committee
March 17, 2021
Presented by:
Larke Recchie
CEO, Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging
Chairman Stein, Vice Chair Johnson, Ranking Minority Member Lepore-Hagan, and
members of the Committee, thank you for the opportunity to provide written testimony in
support of HB 23. My name is Larke Recchie and I am the CEO of the Ohio Association of Area
Agencies on Aging. We are part of a national network of over 600 on-the-ground organizations
in each state, mandated by the Older Americans Act, and charged with helping Americans
thrive in our homes and communities as we age. For many years, home and community-based
services have been the key to meaningful, cost-effective options for older adults and people
with disabilities to live healthy, engaged, secure lives in our homes and communities. Area
Agencies on Aging and our provider partners are at the forefront of the effort to ensure that
older Ohioans are safe and healthy at home especially during this time.
The Association supports HB 23 because education and training can help first
responders address a difficult situation and ensure the safety of individuals with dementia. We
are all aging, and we are living longer. In Ohio, we have the 6th largest population age 65 or
older in the nation, and our ranks will continue to grow. By 2030, Ohio’s population age 65 and
older will increase by 40% compared to 2015.
The Ohio Association of Area Agencies on Aging (o4a), a nonprofit organization, is a statewide network of agencies that provide services for older
adults, people with disabilities, their families, and caregivers, as well as advocate on their behalf. The Association addresses issues that have an
impact on the aging and disability network, provides services to members, services as a collective voice for Ohio’s Area Agencies on Aging (AAAs).
Equal Opportunity Employer/Provider
Aging is the number one risk factor of dementia, and roughly 10% of those
age 65 years and older are living with Alzheimer’s disease today. Ohio is projected to see nearly
a 20% increase in those living with Alzheimer’s and other dementias by 2030.
First responders find themselves in unique circumstances involving people suffering
with dementia. First responders may interact with people with dementia while searching for a
lost individual, stopping drivers who exhibit unsafe driving, rescuing people with dementia from
abuse, and intervening in crisis or disaster situations. Individuals with Alzheimer’s and other
dementias can also be the victims of elder abuse. But they may be unaware they are victims
and may not know how to — or be able to — report it.
People with Alzheimer’s may present as uncooperative, disruptive, and combative when
they have difficulty communicating and understanding what is happening. First responders
may not know how to work with people in these situations, leading to more confusion.
Education of the disease and training in de-escalation tactics can often effectively
address the situation and ensure the safety of individuals with dementia as well as the safety of
the first responders. That is why the Association supports the goals set forth by HB 23.
The Association supports amending the bill to be consistent with the Ohio Revised Code
regarding where reports of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation must be made. The bill
currently provides that first responders are to report suspicions of abuse, neglect, or
exploitation to the Ohio Attorney General’s office. Ohio Revised Code Section 5101.63,
however, mandates that first responders report suspicions of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of
adults 60 or older to the county department of job and family services adult protective services
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unit for investigation. We suggest that the language proposed in HB 23 be consistent with the
Ohio Revised Code.
Thank you for the opportunity to provide testimony to the Committee. Please feel free
to contact me if you have any questions.
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