Disability advocates push for statewide approach to combat elder fraud

FILE - The gold dome of the Georgia Capitol gleams in the sunlight in Atlanta, Aug. 28, 2022. Under a $392 million plan agreed to on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024, the state Capitol would get a renovation while the state would build a new legislative office building for lawmakers on the north side of the complex, to the right of the Capitol. (AP Photo/Steve Helber, File)(Steve Helber | AP)

By Abby Kousouris

ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - One in five Georgians over the age of 65 have a disability, making them a target for scams, exploitation, and sometimes physical abuse.

According to the U.S. Department of Justice, at least 10% of adults age 60 and older will experience some form of elder abuse this year.

The Alzheimer’s Association of Georgia, The Georgia Council on Aging, and the Georgia Advocacy Office are working together on a bill that would tackle the growing number of elderly abuse crimes reported in the state.

Supporters of HB 1123 said it would be a game-changer. The bill would create a team called the “Elder Justice Coalition.” The group would meet a few times a year to discuss a statewide approach to cut down on elder abuse. Regional coordinators would be named across the state.

“With elder abuse, they are typically abusing or taking advantage of people who are older and disabled, a lot of them at one time. Investigators and District Attorneys — they’re all trying to figure out how they can fight these things, but at the same time, just because maybe they’re fighting one case in South Georgia doesn’t mean that maybe that person running the unlicensed personal care home. It doesn’t mean they don’t have another one, three counties over, or maybe they’ve got five or six of them,” said Nancy Pitra with the Alzheimer’s Association of Georgia.

Pitra said she feels strongly about the bill because it pulls resources from across the state together. If signed into law, the coalition would first establish a state adult abuse neglect and exploitation team and work with local agencies to collect data as well as report abuse. They want to work with law enforcement to provide training on what signs to look out for.

“Everybody’s aging. You want to do it well, and we’re all at different stages in that process. So for us, it’s even more critical to start now,” said Debra Stokes with the Georgia Council on Aging.

Stokes said the state needs to take action now to protect the 15% of Georgians who are over 60 years old.

“The Georgia Advocacy Office is thrilled that different organizations are coming together, from those who work with the elderly to those who work with intellectual and developmental disabilities together on this coalition, tackling the incredible problem of abuse and neglect of people in Georgia,” said Rena Harris, Georgia Advocacy Office.

The 40-day bill signing period ends on Wednesday. Gov. Kemp has not vetoed any legislation yet. They’re hoping he will sign the bill.

Full Article & Source:
Disability advocates push for statewide approach to combat elder fraud