The SENIOR Act: Will It Make Loneliness a Legal Issue?

By Justice For Our Parents

Los Angeles Elder Care Facilities

The pending legislation, Supporting Engagement and Needs in Older Adults through the Resources Act (SENIOR Act, S. 473), would amend the Older Americans Act to fund community programs that screen for social isolation.

Why should elder care attorneys care about this potential new legislation?

• Facilities and home care agencies may face new expectations to identify and mitigate isolation risks, similar to existing duties around fall prevention or medication errors
• Litigation may shift as emotional harm, lack of supervision, social-connection failures may become definable elements in an elder-abuse claim, if Congress codifies screening standards.

Even if the bill does not pass and become law, the direction is clear—emotional well-being is becoming a regulatory concern, and compliance frameworks may soon reflect that shift.

Stay tuned as we explore how "social isolation" could become the next frontier of long-term-care law.

Contact us today here to learn how we advocate for vulnerable seniors and their families and get the justice they deserve, or call us at 562-982-4311.