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Elder abuse is widespread, yet few resources are directed toward combatting it. One Senate committee, for example, found that less than 2 percent of federal money targeted for abuse prevention is spent to help elders.


But the Baby Boom generation, now heading into its senior years, is focusing attention on the issue, as Jennifer Fernandez's story in the News & Record on Sunday pointed out.


That story also showed that the problem isn't just substandard care in nursing homes. It's also financial abuse. Studies show that the elderly are the ones most often falling victim to these scams. Aware that many older people have substantial savings, and aware that aging may have left the elderly isolated or diminished their faculties, scammers see them as prime targets.


Fernandez's story focused on a Greensboro woman bilked of her $100,000 savings by a telemarketer. But it also told of a valuable program run by Senior Resources of Guilford that teaches elderly people how not to fall victim to such scams. In these programs, participants learn the need to shred documents containing personal information and other methods to deter scammers. More programs like this are essential. (AARP also provides many resources for seniors on this topic.)


North Carolina has a panel that fines adult-care facilities for inappropriate actions, but the fines are often wrist slaps. It took one North Carolina facility 10 days to report to law enforcement that one of its patients had gone missing. He was found stabbed to death. The fine? A measly $8,000. Increase the fines, and abuse and neglect will decrease.


Advocates also say the federal government needs to provide leadership in this area. A bill in Congress — The Elder Justice Act — would do that. It has several components, among them data collection. Research indicates that elder abuse is woefully underreported. Collecting more information on scams and abuse, both in private homes and in long-term care facilities, is essential for determining further action. The act also would provide a reliable source of federal revenue for states' adult protective services divisions and establish programs to help train those in law enforcement or public health who deal with elder abuse.


Some supporting the act also want it to contain additional protections for elders, such as a national nurses' aide registry and the requirement that criminal background checks be conducted on all who work with the elderly.


Clearly, the nation must target the abuse and exploitation of elders or else the elderly will keep getting targeted. The elderly must not be preyed upon by anyone — from family members to Internet scammers.





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