HCR 3-SENIOR CITIZEN PROTECTIONS  CHAIR DAVIS announced the next order of business would be HCR 3. 1:43:22 PM KENDRA KLOSTER, staff to Representative Cathy Muñoz, said there is a devastating problem of rising elder abuse in Alaska. Over the past four years, Adult Protective Services has received an alarming 169 percent increase in the reports of harm. The Ombudsman Office for Long-term Care has seen a corresponding increase in the reports of harm at 200 percent in the past three years. It is important to bring this issue to light. The most common allegations are self-neglect, abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect. Two amendments were adopted during the process. 1:44:58 PM DENISE DANIELLO, Executive Director, Alaska Commission on Aging, thanked the committee for hearing the resolution. It speaks to the rise of elder abuse in our state. Data shows that about one in ten older adults in our country is at risk for mistreatment. The rate of abuse is rising in Alaska. Elder abuse can take many forms: physical, financial, abandonment, self-neglect. Often an older person is reluctant to report. There is an element of embarrassment and shame. Elders who are at risk for abuse includes those with Alzheimer's and related dementia, people with cognitive impairments, and people who are bed-ridden. 1:47:11 PM Some people may not recognize the signs of abuse. This resolution aims for increased awareness. We need to educate the public to the signs of abuse and how to report. The Alaska Commission on Aging recommends passage of this resolution to improve recognition of signs of abuse and better response from caregivers, agencies, and first responders. There is a cost to the state but also to the person whose independence and dignity are compromised. 1:49:14 PM CHAIR DAVIS said it is a great piece of legislation. Alaska has the fastest growing population of the oldest old, those who are 85 and older. It is a problem because a lot of them depend on family members to care for them. Sometimes families need help. Awareness is the key. She asked if the resolution referred to anyone over 65. MS. DANIELLO responded it is 60 and over. There is also a lot of abuse directed toward vulnerable adults. She said at some point we need to expand the scope. CHAIR DAVIS asked does it refer to the month of November. MS. DANIELLO answered it is just for education and awareness, and does not name a specific month. It would encourage the public to report abuse. SENATOR MEYER asked why there are no letters of support in the file, and why no one from AARP testified. MS. KLOSTER said she was not sure why AARP didn't come. SENATOR MEYER asked if they have been testifying in other committees. MS. KLOSTER said yes, in the House HSS. 1:53:55 PM SENATOR EGAN moved to report CSHCR 3 (HSS)am from committee with individual recommendations and attached fiscal note(s). There being no objection, it was so ordered.