Thursday, July 10, 2014

Task Force Will Help Protect Elderly

Elder abuse is one of the fastest-growing crimes in our community. Whether it is financial exploitation or physical abuse, our seniors are increasingly becoming the victims of crime. As district attorney, I am committed to making sure that our seniors are protected and that those who prey on them are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.

According to the United States Census Bureau, during the next three decades our senior population will increase dramatically. The fastest-growing segment of our population is those 85 years old and older. In 2010, there were 5.8 million people aged 85 or older and estimates are that by 2050 there will be 19 million people in this age group.

Elder abuse is increasing. The consequences of these attacks on our seniors are devastating. Research has shown that seniors who experience modest abuse have a 300 percent higher risk of death and are more likely to have psychological issues.

The financial impact of elder abuse is enormous. Direct medical cost of violent injuries to seniors is in excess of $5.3 billion per year. The estimated financial loss to seniors who have experienced financial fraud is almost $3 billion annually.

Sadly, 90 percent of abusers are family members: an adult child, spouse, or other relative. Statistics show that these abusers have chemical addictions or simply cannot cope with their responsibilities as a caregiver. Seniors may be reluctant to report abuse because of fear of retaliation, a lack of physical or cognitive ability, or because they do not want to get the abuser in trouble.

Full Editorial and Source:
Task Force Will Help Protect Elderly

7 comments:

Thelma said...

And the other 10% are only -
practiced criminals and lawyers?
Hard to believe that less than 10%are lawyers when the guardianship feasting frenzy has grown to its present out-of-control state.

Anonymous said...

According to Gail Nardi, the head of Adult Protective Services for the Commonwealth of Virginia, "only 20%" of abuse and neglect of elderly and incapacitated adults occurs in facilities.

"Only" 20%!

And that 20% is state-funded, state-sponsored, and in many cases, deliberately covered up by officials from the Virginia Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, Department of Social Services, Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services, Community Services Boards, and Adult Protective Services.

The common thread in all of these entirely avoidable travesties?

Greedy, unethical lawyers and power-hungry, cynical, dishonest social workers who systematically ignore the procedural and substantive rights of their "clients."

Jme4ProbateRefrm said...

I don't know about this one....they tried a "task force" here in AZ and it didn't do a thing. Until the lawyers, fiduciaries, and judges own up to the racketeering, its going to continue. They can blame family members all they want but we victims know who is really behind the stealing, pilfering, and pillaging of the estates and family trusts. Its all so corrupt!

Donna Marie said...

I agree with you Thelma.

Walter said...

The figures are wrong! This is how courts get prejudiced against family.

Anonymous said...

Here we go again. 90% of abuse by family members occurs in DOMESTIC ABUSE.(Thank God we don't have lawyers and guardians in our homes with us) A three-month study by the NCEA of national newsfeeds showed that 11 million was stolen from elders by family, and over 200 million was stolen by professionals. Please go to Mr. Bailey's facebook page to correct this misperception. I wrote him a message.

Anonymous said...

This task force won't be much help to elders unless it battles the REAL problem--abuse of elders by professaionals