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Letter by Mark and Carol Fairall of Sun City west
The United Nations established this awareness day to promote the better understanding of the abuse and neglect of the elderly.
It is estimated that 10% of elderly Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect or financial exploitation every year.
The Administration for Community Living and the National Center on Elder Abuse encourages the public to increase elder abuse prevention education to fight ageism, elder isolationism and elder apathy across the nation.
Elder abuse is the intentional or neglectful acts that lead to or may lead to harming a vulnerable adult. Elder abuse is the neglected stepchild of domestic violence and child abuse in the triangle of human violence. There are three types of elder abuse — neglect, physical or emotional abuse and financial exploitation.
An elder abuse victim is three times more likely to die than non-abused seniors. One senior is abused every five seconds in America. Only one in six cases of elder abuse are ever reported. Sadly, less than 4% of senior financial exploitation crimes are ever reported. Senior financial fraud is the fastest-growing form of elder abuse because crooks prey on the trusting nature, loneliness and fear of the elderly.
Senior fraud is the deception of the elderly with the intent to defraud, such as false advertising. Senior financial exploitation is the illegal use of the vulnerable adult’s resources for another person’s gain or profit. The Federal Trade Commission estimates that nearly $5.8 billion was lost in 2021. Arizona seniors lost $27 million due to elder fraud. Arizona is ranked the ninth worst state for elder fraud.
Most of the victims are between 80 and 90 years old, and women are twice as likely to be victims of scams. The elderly financial losses result in skipping medical care, going without meals and depression.
More than 90% of senior financial losses are caused by family members stealing from them. Families of elders need to realize that their elderly loved ones are potential targets for elder fraud.
Elder abuse has been called “The Silent Crime of the 21st Century.” The best way to try to prevent elder abuse and senior financial exploitation is to stop it before it happens with knowledge of the scams and cons.
Knowledge is power, so become informed and share this vital elder abuse prevention information with your fellow seniors to help protect them.
