June 14, 2024 —
Elder financial abuse, also known as elder financial exploitation, is a serious and growing concern as the population ages. According to a 2023 AARP report, Americans over the age of 60 lose an estimated $28.3 billion annually. More than 70% of these losses are caused by someone the victim knows, like caregivers, neighbors, family, and... Read More
June 12, 2023 —
According to the National Council on Aging (NCOA), one in ten seniors has been a victim of abuse. Only 4% of elder abuse is reported but the harm impacts the entire community. Health care and legal costs increase because of elder abuse, which impacts Medicare and Medicaid. Financial exploitation of seniors is estimated to be... Read More
September 7, 2021 —
Judy’s phone rang early one morning. “Grandma?” the caller said. “This is your grandson.” “Well hello, Morgan! It’s good to hear from you,” said Judy. It had been a long time since her college-age grandson had called her. “Grandma,” said Morgan, “I need your help. I’m in the hospital in Mexico with COVID and I... Read More
April 20, 2020 —
Family Caregivers Have New Concerns of Loved Ones With Alzheimer’s When a senior is living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related disorder, family members often worry about their loved one’s safety. Will Dad go to bed, forgetting the tea kettle is boiling on the stove? Will Mom get lost? Will Uncle Chuck keep trying to... Read More
April 6, 2020 —
Con Artists Are Quick To Mobilize During COVID-19 From natural disasters to world disturbances, any time there is big news that worries people, con artists are quick to capitalize on our fears and concerns. We haven’t seen a more concerning current event than the COVID-19 pandemic in many years—and no sooner did the word “coronavirus”... Read More
September 23, 2019 —
Social Security is the major source of post-retirement income for most older adults, so if a senior receives a call from the Social Security Administration (SSA), they are likely to pick up the phone and listen! But the SSA is warning seniors that these days, con artists have been impersonating SSA officials to steal the... Read More
June 5, 2018 —
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Prevention Day. Each year, senior advocacy groups from around the world take this opportunity to raise awareness of crimes against elders. The World Health Organization says that one in six older people experiences some kind of abuse. It might be physical or psychological—and increasingly, financial abuse of elders is... Read More
January 3, 2018 —
Cheese samples at the supermarket, little packets of body care products at the makeup counter or that little tube of toothpaste your dentist gives you — marketers like to give away free samples in hopes that we’ll like their product and actually purchase it. Plenty of legitimate businesses are happy to let us try a... Read More
November 9, 2016 —
Steve saw Mom at her computer with her credit card out. “What are you doing?” he asked. Mom had a sad look on her face. “I’m making a donation to a charity that’s helping the Christians who are being persecuted by ISIS,” she said. Steve looked at the email Mom had received; the sender had... Read More
February 26, 2016 —
With the growing senior population in America, financial elder abuse has been classified as an epidemic. The Gerontological Society of America (GSA) recently devoted an entire issue of their publication, Public Policy & Aging Report, to the growing problem. The GSA wants to alert financial institutions, seniors and families that scammers wrest almost $3 billion... Read More
