California Lawmakers Proposing New Legislation to Protect the Elderly

Published on August 3rd, 2011
Written by Public Record Finder Staff

A new California state report reveals continued oversight as it relates to watching over those who care for the elderly. The home care industry has been the subject of many news investigations since the abuse of seniors and the disabled has escalated. Many of the abusers are people who are paid to care for loved ones.

The state of California does not currently regulate the home care industry and it is joined by several other states as well. Fortunately, the state of California is making efforts to enact future legislation.

One such example would send chills through the spines of those who leave their elderly family members in the care of home health workers. Rose Michael, 93, suffers from dementia and currently resides in a senior home. Michael is safe now and receives regular visits from her daughter Rosalyn Gonsonlin. Life wasn't as pleasant four years ago when Rosalyn found out that her mother's caretaker was Wessa Tanubo, a convicted felon. Wessa stole $30,000 from the unsuspecting 93 year old woman.

As a result of this event, Michael's family is demanding greater measures to protect seniors. "I don't want to be a victim of something like this happening to me," Gonsonlin said. "I don't want to see any of the elders becoming a victim and they are the most-susceptible group."

The state senate's Office of Oversight and Outcomes, in response to the regular crimes taking place on the elderly, launched an investigation into the matter utilizing News 7 On Your Side.

"We found that there were people currently advertising their services on Craigslist who do have criminal backgrounds," said John Hill with the office. "We found that many people convicted of caregiver crimes have previous rap sheets -- about 25 percent of them."

The investigation team stated that the agency caring for Michael reported that it ran a background check on her caretaker. Yet, the perpetrator, Wessa Tanubo, on her file, had a drug conviction, parole violations and a restraining order which kept her from even seeing her own children.

Hill, on staff with the investigative office, mentioned a service that scans fingerprints which releases worker's background checks. He continued to say that it was inexpensive, but no one uses it. Rosalyn and her family were unaware of such a service.

The proposed legislation would require all home care workers to acquire a license and to get a background check. The licensed workers would be listed on a website and accessible to the public.

Though the legislation would serve to protect the elderly under the care of the home workers, the home care industry is opposed to the new legislation. "We're very concerned about privacy," said Greg Yu of Home Sweet Home. "Not only the caregivers have to put their names out, but if the direct hire is from a senior, perhaps the senior would have to list their name and location."

Senator Curren Price assures the opposing party that the purpose of the website is to give families peace of mind when hiring home care workers. "This website is to give consumers a place to go to check the legitimacy of the home care aid and to ensure that these people work for licensed agencies," Price said.

The bill may not get too far. Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada proposed a similar bill, but it has been stuck with the Appropriations Committee. This new bill is scheduled to be heard by the same committee next month.