Our careers in law, while rewarding, can be thankless.We continuously fight against insufficient legislation, loopholes, and more to get justice for our clients and ensure those responsible for neglect and abuse are held accountable. March 2025 marked the 15th anniversary of a piece of legislation that made life for elderly Californians easier and safer. Today we’d like to highlight the benefits of 15 years of the Elder Justice Act.

Elder Justice Act

In 2010, the Elder Justice Act (EJA) was enacted nationwide as the “first comprehensive legislation to address the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of older adults at the federal level” according to the Administration for Community Living.

A landmark piece of law, the act has since helped establish vital organizations and services for older Americans.

15 Years Later

Since the EJA passed, great strides have been made in the areas of advocacy, awareness, and improved protection for the elderly community.

The initial items established as part of the EJA include the implementation of the Elder Justice Coordinating Council. This organization now has fourteen federal agencies which have collectively created initiatives to address neglect, exploitation, and other major issues. The EJA also jump-started the development of the National Adult Maltreatment Reporting System (NAMRS), and created a line item for Adult Protective Services in the Administration for Community Living budget. 

Over the years, the following items were added to the programs established as a result of the EJA.

• Elder Abuse Prevention Intervention Demonstrations (PPHF)
• Elder Justice Innovation Grants
• State Grants to Enhance Adult Protective Services
• Voluntary Consensus Guidelines for State APS Systems

“While the full promise of the EJA is far from fully realized, it has had a major positive impact on every state’s APS program, and as a result, the many thousands of older and disabled adults who suffer each year from abuse, neglect and exploitation.”

Jennifer Spoeri and Bill Benson of the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA).

Laws like the EJA are exactly what keep the fight for the eradication of elder abuse and neglect moving forward. The act now faces reauthorization, but there are plenty of advocacy groups and organizations working hard to ensure its next fifteen years.

If you or a loved one have been the victim of nursing home abuse or neglect, call Gharibian Law (866-747-1389) today for a FREE consultation and the best legal representation.