MARIN COUNTY LAUNCHES EDUCATIONAL CAMPAIGN TO PREVENT ELDER FINANCIAL ABUSE
SAN RAFAEL, CA - During the month of May, national Older Americans Month, the
Marin County Elder Abuse Prevention Community Task Force will launch an
educational campaign throughout Marin County to help people detect and prevent
elder financial abuse. These educational forums, free and open to the public,
(complete schedule is attached), will address topics such as Trust and Annuity
Scams, Medicare Fraud, Medi-Cal Planning, Identity Theft, Surrogate Financial
Planning, Investment Fraud and other scams targeting the senior community.
Experts regard elder financial abuse as the "crime of the 21st
century," with an estimated 250,000 elder victims of financial abuse in
California each year. Marin County, one of the wealthiest counties in California
with some of the highest property values, also has the fastest aging population
in California -- making this group a particularly attractive target for criminal
scam artists. Oftentimes, family members or close friends are responsible for
financial abuse.
"Much of our senior population comes from a generation of conservative savers who socked away funds for a rainy day," according to Paula Kamena, Marin County District Attorney. "Scam artists aim to hijack those funds causing tragedies beyond belief. Some children and caregivers try their best to get their inheritance before it is due. We must be ever vigilant for both types of crooks."
Kamena's office has already taken action against these types of crimes perpetrated against our most vulnerable population, recently creating the Rapid Reaction Team, a 24-hour law enforcement response to reports of physical and financial abuse. The Rapid Response Team will determine whether an elderly victim is facing imminent loss of assets or if they are in immediate danger. Plus, there are other community-wide programs that have been set in motion to detect and alert authorities of possible senior abuse.
"The fastest growing population in California is seniors over 85 which
means the problem will only intensify" said Roy Chernus, Executive Director
for Legal Aid of the North Bay. "Prevention and detection, through
community education, are critical to control this insidious problem"
"We're attempting to deliver this message in as many ways as
possible," said Jenefer Duane, CEO and Executive Director of the California
Community Partnership for the Prevention of Financial Abuse. "On May 4, the
Marin County Board of Supervisors will declare the month of May 'Elder and
Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness and Prevention Month.' Also, during May, we'll
have a comprehensive on-screen campaign running at local Century movie theatres.
Audiences will be alerted to 'Stop Elder Abuse' and report suspected abuse to
the Marin County Adult Protective Services. And, our grass roots efforts are
mounting with tremendous support from local businesses and service organizations
who are putting their energy behind the program."
Sponsors of the Elder Abuse Prevention Educational Initiative include Marin County Elder Abuse Prevention Community Task Force, Marin County Department of Health and Human Services, Legal Aid of Marin, California Community Partnership for the Prevention of Financial Abuse, Marin County District Attorney's Office, Elder Care Advocates of Marin, Mill Valley Police Department, Bank of Marin, San Rafael Goldenaires, Marin City Grandparents Support Group, Mill Valley Community Center and Hired Hands Inc.