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| Chuck Slemp |
Friday, August 3, 2018
Slemp: An epidemic that no one knows about
What is it? The answer may surprise you: elder abuse.
The
term “elder abuse” refers to crimes of violence, instances of neglect,
and fraud or financial exploitation targeting incapacitated adults and
senior citizens. These crimes are far too common. Perpetrators use —
with horrifying success — modern-age tools to commit these various
crimes against society’s most vulnerable citizens. Victims are often
socially isolated and suffer from diminished mental capacity or
impairment. Scammers look for ways to target seniors’ trusting nature
and their frailties.
According
to the National Center on Aging, approximately one in ten Americans
over age 60 has experienced some form of elder abuse. Fifty percent of
those with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia are victimized. It is
estimated that five million elders each year suffer this dreadful fate.
Those victims are at a 300 percent increased risk of death compared to
those who have not been abused. Last year in Virginia, 27,000 of these
cases were reported to various Departments of Social Services. There
were 369 reports in Wise County and the City of Norton, alone.
These
are staggering statistics. Yet, this is just the beginning! These
figures represent the number of reported cases. It is estimated that
only one in 24 cases actually makes it to an investigator, social
worker, or law enforcement officer! Even fewer end up being prosecuted.
The
financial impact of these crimes is astounding. Because of
underreporting, the National Center on Aging estimates financial
exploitation of seniors costs between $2.9 billion and $36.5 billion
annually. The emotional and healthcare related costs of the physical
abuse and neglect cannot be calculated.
The
most tragic elder abuse statistic is that seniors are far more likely
to be victimized by their own family members than by strangers. Just
like in child abuse or domestic violence cases, victims are oftentimes
dependent upon the perpetrator for care and afraid to break the cycle of
abuse. This explains why elder abuse is so underreported and why these
crimes are difficult to prosecute.
People
are usually surprised to learn that elder abuse is so prevalent and
such a problem across the country. It is an epidemic. We should all be
outraged and moved to take action. We should all seek to do more to
safeguard our seniors.
Full Article & Source:
Slemp: An epidemic that no one knows about
To learn more about these crimes and how
to make a difference in your neighborhood, please consider joining us
on August 3 in Wise, Virginia for a one-day training that will feature
national experts on this issue. I hope you will consider joining us for
the event.
Moreover, I hope you will take a moment to consider ways to safeguard seniors in your own community.
Full Article & Source:
Slemp: An epidemic that no one knows about
Again, this article says family is the #1 abuser and there is no statistic which says that. It's a guess.
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