The Capitol Building in Harrisburg.

The Capitol Building in Harrisburg.

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<p>Miller</p>

Miller

<p>Toomey</p>

Toomey

Department of Human Services (DHS) Secretary Teresa Miller this week said everyone should live free of violence and mistreatment — especially those in close, trusted relationships.

“If you are experiencing emotional or financial abuse or physical violence from a relative or partner, please know that you are not alone in this, and help is available to keep you and your family safe,” Miller said.

Miller joined Susan Higginbotham, Chief Executive Officer of the Pennsylvania Coalition Against Domestic Violence (PCADV) and Lori Sywensky, Executive Director of Turning Point of Lehigh Valley, to mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month, observed every October, by detailing the resources available to survivors and people experiencing domestic violence.

The panel also discussed the signs and types of domestic abuse, which survivors may be experiencing in new or more frequent ways as the COVID-19 pandemic requires people to spend more time in their homes.

“While we mark Domestic Violence Awareness Month every October, the work of preventing domestic violence never stops,” Miller said. “We are proud to partner with PCADV as they support survivors through unimaginable obstacles to build a safe, supportive environment and achieve a better life. We must always create a safe, supportive environment where all affected by domestic violence know that they are not alone. If you fear for a friend, peer, or loved one’s health or safety – talk with them. A small action can save a life.”

Domestic violence is a pattern of behaviors by a partner to maintain power and control over another partner in an intimate relationship. Domestic violence may involve emotional or verbal abuse, financial abuse, physical violence, sexual violence, or stalking, either individually or in combination.

One in four women and one in seven men experience intimate partner violence in their lifetime, and domestic violence can affect any age, race, gender, or socio-economic status.

Miller said an 2019, 112 women, men, and children lost their lives from domestic violence in Pennsylvania.

Anyone can help protect themselves as well as their family, friends, neighbors, and peers who may be experiencing abuse by understanding the signs of domestic violence and making a referral to a local domestic violence program.

Name-calling and demeaning comments, frequent phone calls and texts, casting blame and refusing to take responsibility, isolating the person from their family and friends, expressing intense emotions very quickly, and restricting access to financial resources are common signs of abuse.

Additionally, warning signs of a potential abusive relationship can be constant fear of their partner’s reaction, making excuses for their partner’s behavior, a partner displaying jealousy or possessiveness, unexplained injuries, isolation, and changes in behavior or personality. These may be signs that something is wrong.

PCADV works in all 67 counties of the commonwealth to support domestic violence survivors, give victims the tools they need to leave, overcome harmful situations, and train advocates to understand and identify signs of domestic violence to broaden the network of support for survivors.

“Domestic Violence Awareness Month is a powerful reminder that even in a global pandemic, domestic violence doesn’t stop and neither do the services we provide to survivors and their families,” Higginbotham said. “Our 59 local domestic violence programs have swiftly evolved how they provide a breadth of services so that even in the most challenging times, survivors can find a path to safety.”

The current public health crisis has people at home more regularly, and for some people, home is not always a safe environment. If you or someone you care for are experiencing domestic violence, help is available.

For anonymous, confidential help available 24/7, call the National Domestic Violence Helpline 1-800-799-SAFE (7233) or text LOVEIS to 22522.

For more information about signs of abuse, how to support survivors, and PCADV, visit www.pcadv.org.

Toomey looks make long-term

care insurance more affordable

U.S. Sen. Pat Toomey, R-Lehigh Valley, is pushing a new measure to increase the affordability of long-term care insurance.

Toomey’s Long-Term Care Affordability Act would allow individuals to pay up to $2,500 each year for long-term care insurance with their 401k, 403b, and IRAs without a tax penalty.

“For too many Americans approaching retirement, the onset of a chronic illness that requires nursing home or in-home care could cause financial ruin,” Toomey said. “Paying for long-term care insurance with retirement savings can enhance financial security in retirement. The Senate should pass this bill.”

Retirement accounts give a tax benefit to workers who set aside money now for use during retirement. Early withdrawals from these accounts are generally treated as income and taxed accordingly.

However, there are exceptions. For example, 401k holders may be able to use their retirement account to own life insurance without a tax penalty. Toomey’s measure would treat insurance for long-term care similarly.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 50 percent of individuals living past the age of 65 will need some long-term care, and more than half of American households contribute to retirement accounts. All of them would be eligible to pay for long-term care with retirement savings under this legislation.

In November 2019, Senator Toomey convened the Senate Finance Committee Subcommittee on Health Care to address barriers to diagnosis, treatment, and care for Alzheimer’s patients. During that hearing, Senator Toomey outlined the need for this new legislation. You can watch here.

Following that hearing, Toomey and Sen. Debbie Stabenow, chairman and ranking member of the subcommittee, sought input from health care providers, researchers, patients, advocacy groups, states, and others to inform the development of this legislation.

Department of Aging supporting

older adults in long-term care

The Pennsylvania Department of Aging is highlighting the work of the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman to focus on the dignity, respect, and rights of skilled nursing facility and personal care home residents.

“Throughout the pandemic, we have been hearing from families who are concerned and frustrated over the safety of their loved ones in long-term care facilities,” said the Department of Aging’s State Long-Term Care Ombudsman Margaret Barajas. “The residents have been facing the tremendous challenges of isolation, changes in daily routine and interacting with caregivers cloaked in personal protective gear. And it’s been tough for families not being able to fully communicate and know about what’s going on in the facilities. Our ombudsmen staff and volunteers have been working diligently to connect these families and check on residents to provide peace of mind and ensure their needs are met.”

During the pandemic, the Office of LTC Ombudsman has responded to instances related and non-related to COVID-19 in personal care and nursing facilities and provided information to staff on COVID-19 and ombudsman services.

The office also developed the Virtual Family Council, a resource for families with loved ones in long-term care facilities to connect with experts, get information and ask questions; and partnered with AARP Pennsylvania to provide communication devices to 46 long-term care facilities in 40 counties to help residents increase contact with their family and friends.

Ombudsmen are trained resident advocates who visit facilities to ensure that residents and their families are being heard, that they are informed of their rights under state and federal law, and to assure residents are receiving the quality care they need and deserve.

Pennsylvania Empowered Expert Residents (PEERs) are also trained advocates who, because they live within a long-term care community, are experts in making recommendations on improving the living conditions within their own homes and facilities. The PEER program is the only one of its kind in the country. CO-PEERs launched late last year after one of the Colorado regional ombudsmen came to Pennsylvania for certification as a PEER Trainer.

“As we have seen since March, the advocacy by the Office of the Long-Term Care Ombudsman, though limited by the pandemic, has been beneficial for long-term care residents and their families. Ombudsmen and PEERs have been providing helpful, caring support along with resources to help both sides stay connected and ensured the residents’ health and safety are top priorities,” Secretary of Aging Robert Torres said. “I commend the staff and volunteers for their continued support and dedication in working with long-term care facilities, the residents and their families during these times.”

The role of ombudsmen in long-term care settings is crucial in assuring that seniors and individuals with disabilities are advocated for and understand what they are entitled to. Under the federal Older Americans Act, all states have a Long-Term Care Ombudsman Office to address complaints and advocate for improvements as needed.

Reach Bill O’Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle.