The new billboards read, “Too precious to neglect. Report elder abuse.”
District Attorney Devon Anderson says elder abuse is underreported and under-recognized. She says its not always physical abuse, noting all of the scams targeting the elderly.
“They may get a phone call from a young person purporting to be a grandchild, with a very staticky connection saying, ‘I am in jail, and I need you to send bond money to me right now.’”
Anderson says it’s important for citizens to pay attention to their neighbors.
“Many of these seniors suffer from disabilities and so they have caregivers that they depend on,” Anderson said. “Unfortunately, some of them have caregivers that abuse them them physically and financially.”
Harris County Sheriff Adrian Garcia says his deputies are ready to arrest anyone who abuses the elderly.
There will be six billboards that will be up for the next month in Harris County.
Full Article & Source:
Harris County Launches Elder Abuse Prevention Billboard Campaign
Good for them.
ReplyDeleteNow if we could just get some billboards urging Adult Protective Services to do something about elder abuse and neglect.
It is a not very well-kept secret that our public officials, including and especially Adult Protective Services, are often on the wrong side when it comes to elder abuse and neglect.
For instance, Gail Nardi, head of Adult Protective Services for the entire Commonwealth of Virginia, instructed the Virginia Public Guardian and Conservator Advisory Board that "only 20%" of elder abuse and neglect occurs in facilities. Only 20%!
Well, then, Ms. Nardi, maybe you should dump more elderly people in such horrific facilities. And ignore the law and licensing regulations. And make sure those deadly facilities remain open, to abuse and neglect dozens and dozens more elderly people, for seventeen agonizing months after their proprietor was declared a "substantial danger to the public health and safety."
And worry, long after this proprietor is SUED by his food supplier, SUED by his pest control company, SUED in case after case, for injury and wrongful death, how that proprietor will keep his remaining facility or facilities OPEN.
All to abuse and neglect more elderly people, who otherwise "would have nowhere else to go."
Except, of course, for the 200 beds in other facilities that APS identified well into this process.
Googlel Scott Schuett for the appalling details.
I like their slogan!
ReplyDeleteThe guardianship by Certified Guardian are more likely to abuse the elderly and then the Judges bleed the family with usless legal matters and then the facilities get on board with care givers until the ward is dead.
ReplyDelete