The scandal over Brooke Astor’s care has had the healthy side effect of getting people talking about the needs of the elderly. The 104-year-old former socialite and philanthropist now appears to be getting the attention she needs. But it has inspired people to ask what is being done for old and “older old” people who have no Rockefellers or Kissingers to come to their defense.

Last week the Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved a bill that would expand the federal system for protecting the elderly from physical, psychological and financial abuse. A second crucial measure, the reauthorization of the Older Americans Act, is also being considered by Congress. Important aspects of both bills — like the people they seek to protect — are in danger of sinking beneath the radar as other matters move ahead on the priority list. We’re hoping all the publicity over the alleged mistreatment of Mrs. Astor by her son will change that. If so, here’s what Congress could achieve before the end of the year: 

The government’s adult protective services should get more support, funds dedicated specifically to combating elder abuse, with better surveys of the extent of this problem and better forensic centers to help determine when it occurs.

There should be more training and incentives for those who take care of our elderly citizens, and expanded judicial oversight over lawyers who control their finances. There should be more public awareness of how to identify an elderly person who is suffering from abuse or self-neglect.

The secretary of health and human services should designate one office within his department to deal exclusively with this growing problem. As Mrs. Astor and anyone nearly her age could remind those dawdling along in Washington: when it comes to the abuse of our elders, every day counts.

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