Three ways you can help the Elder Justice Initiative of South Central Oklahoma

Credit: Project Focus video "An Age for Justice"

Recently, an elderly family member was contacted by a scam artist.  The scammer was very aggressive and smooth in his language.  He convinced my relative to give out her bank account number and social security number.  He was very convincing. 

Even as she was giving out the information, she had strong doubts of the validity of the caller.  She thought the best thing to do was get him off the phone.  So, she answered all of his questions.

The next day her checking account showed a zero balance.

It took her several days to gather the courage to tell her family about it.  She felt abused.  She felt scared.  She felt ashamed. 

She's not alone.

We have been challenged with raising awareness of elder fraud, abuse and neglect in the South Central Oklahoma area.  Sadly, there has been only a limited increase in funding for law enforcement to address this issue.  In one Texas county alone, 342 cases of elder abuse were confirmed in 2014.  We will do our best in educating the public about elder abuse.  But with no additional funding for enforcement, we will have to be creative.

Here's how you can help:

First, learn more about elder fraud, abuse and neglect.

There are several online sites that have detailed information about elder abuse and prevention.  You can start by reading the Elder Justice Policy Brief published by the White House Conference on Aging. 

I also recommend the following sites for additional information on the subject:

• The United States Department of Justice Elder Justice Initiative
• The National Council on Aging's Elder Justice Public Policy and Action Page
• The Administration on Community Living's Elder Justice Roadmap

Second, advocate for additional funding for elder justice initiatives.

Without additional funding for enforcement of the Elder Justice Act, prevention will be impossible.  It is difficult to compete for the limited resources of the district attorney offices, local law enforcement precincts and other law enforcement agencies, especially when they receive funding specifically for other justice programs.

The National Council on Aging has excellent resources to help you develop better communications with policy makers in Washington, D.C.  These ideas work well with state legislators, too.


Third, help us educate others about preventing, detecting and reporting elder abuse, fraud or neglect.

ASCOG is always looking for volunteers to help us get the word out.  We can train you to be a presenter at nutrition sites, senior centers or other venues.  We are always looking for volunteers with our Senior Medicare Patrol program. 

You can also help us out by hosting a screening of An Age For Justice: Elder Abuse in America.


For further reading: 

• Jackson county octogenarian sexually assaulted in her own home.
• Surprised neighbors believed severely neglected, 90-year-old Dorothy Havens had passed away years ago.
• A Georgia woman was arrested for running an illegal home, keeping four elderly men in her basement.
• Ninety-year-old Dorothy Havens, left in her bed by her daughter and granddaughter over a six-month period, died.  Her daughter is facing a murder charge.
• Caregiver caught on camera assaulting 84-year-old nursing home resident.
• AARP summer scams tips.