Unfortunately, that friendly voice may not have good intentions and can lead to having the elder become the next victim of financial exploitation.
All of us can help prevent fraud and exploitation by reminding elders to be wary of scams and encouraging them to ask for help before a situation escalates.
The good news is that our community has a strong network of professionals and human service providers focusing on offering services and programs to assist older persons and their caregivers. These partners joined together last year to form Lee Elder Abuse Prevention Partnership, which is an elder abuse coalition serving Lee County.
LEAPP will host an informative event at Broadway Palm Dinner Theatre in Fort Myers on Sept. 14. All of us can take action by participating in this upcoming program.
This program entitled “The Truth: Exploitation Laws Protecting Seniors” will be presented by Joe Roubicek, economic crimes detective with Broward County State Attorney’s Office. Detective Roubicek is the author of the book “Financial Abuse of the Elderly: A Detective’s Case Files of Exploitation Crimes,” which serves as a criminal justice educational tool throughout the country.According to Detective Roubicek, “Florida’s exploitation law (FSS 825.103) states that when someone maliciously takes the property of an “elderly person,” they are committing exploitation.” While that seems like a simple definition, he will further explain that the law requires that the “elderly person” be someone 60 years of age or older who is suffering from the infirmities of aging to the extent that their ability to adequately care for and protect themselves is impaired.
In other words, “It requires that the victims suffer disabilities that make them more vulnerable. And when the victim is more vulnerable, the victim impact is far worse.”
Full Article and Source:
Aging Gracefully - Friendly Voices Frequently Exploit
See Also:
FinancicalExploitationOfTheElderly.com
I have a deep respect for Joe Roubicek.
ReplyDeleteI hope Florida NASGA members get to go.
ReplyDeleteA comment from Mary on FB:
ReplyDelete"You can have all the legal documents in place to protect yourself.... Power of attorney-Advance medical directives, etc.... A JUDGE CAN TAKE THIS ALL AWAY FROM YOU IN A COURT ROOM AND PLACE STRANGERS WHO YOU DON'T KNOW AND DON'T KNOW YOU IN CHARGE OF VERY BIG DECISIONS!"
More from Mary on FB:
ReplyDeleteMary wrote: "unfortunately, even older americans WITH a strong social network, and STRONG family ties are taken advantage of in SO many ways, by our states judicial systems, and networks of corrupt people/judges, attorneys, state workers who make it BIG BUSINESS. Families and social, medical support stand by and watch-NO recourse, NO rights. NO one is protected-it is a system out of control and without ANY oversight."
Wish I lived in FL and could go!
ReplyDeleteWish we had more guys like Joe R!
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the comments you guys, and if anything of special interest happens I will be sure to let you know! Here's an interesting stat that I plan on sharing... according to the 2007 census estimate, Ft Myers, where I am speaking, has 12.5% of their population 65 and older AND living alone. That's 1 in 10 city residents who are vulnerable. Thanks again for your comments. Joe
ReplyDeleteFlorida government should be doing more to protect the vulnerable elderly if they want to maintain their standing as an attractive retirement place.
ReplyDeleteFlorida is in good hands with Joe Roubicek watching.
ReplyDeleteI hope there's a really big turn out, Joe.
ReplyDelete1 in 10 are vulnerable? I tell you, that should send a strong message to Florida that the state had better clean up their guardianship laws!