(GDNS)- It’s estimated one in six older people experiences some form of abuse, a figure predicted to rise as a higher percentage of folks age worldwide.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is tomorrow (Fri.) and AARP South Dakota is having a town-hall-style call-in program today (Thurs.) to take questions about elder abuse and financial exploitation.
Studies show about 16 percent of people age 60 and older are subjected to psychological, physical or financial abuse. And, it’s estimated that older adults lose three billion dollars annually to financial exploitation, but only about one in 14 cases is reported.
Director of advocacy, AARP South Dakota Erik Nelson says many seniors who are taken advantage of react with hurt or disbelief and hesitate to tell someone.
Although seniors report that their awareness of possible scams has risen, especially scams on the Internet, Nelson warns that scammers also get more creative. This time of year, he says seasonal scammers show up in neighborhoods, offering to resurface a driveway or do home improvement projects for a price too good to be true.
In 2015, South Dakota initiated an Elder Abuse Task Force that led to creation of a state office to investigate and prosecute those found guilty of preying on older people. Nelson says A-A-R-P also holds regular workshops to help seniors – and their friends and families – protect themselves.
A recent U-S Department of Justice investigation culminated in charges against more than 200 defendants for elder-fraud schemes.
To participate in the call-in town hall at 3:30pm go to ‘bit.ly/elderabusecall18.’
