Raising awareness about elder abuse in Wisconsin
MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- Elder abuse is on the rise, according to data showing an increase over the last 20 years. Saturday, June 15, is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and officials in Milwaukee County are shining a light on the issue.
The Milwaukee County Department of Health and Human Services says often times cases of elder abuse go unreported.
Of every 24 incidents, only one will be reported to authorities, officials say. "Elder abuse effects one in 10 seniors age 60 years of age or older," said Dinah LaCaze, Adult Protective Services Prevention Program Coordinater at the Dept. of Health and Human Services.
Milwaukee County held a resource fair at Wilson Park Senior Center Friday morning, June 14. County Executive David Crowley presented a proclamation for Elder Abuse Awareness Day before a walk was held to honor those impacted.
In Milwaukee County, thousands of cases of elder abuse are reported each year.
Officials say it’s a silent problem and threatens the dignity and security of our seniors. It can also go beyond physical and mental abuse.
"For financial exploitation alone, we were able to account for about $10 million lost in our county," said LaCaze.
Financial exploitation is one of the most prevalent forms of elder abuse."We know that there are so many scams out there that target older Americans, and this cost them money which in turn is a form of abuse," said Lisa Schiller with the Wisconsin Better Business Bureau.
The BBB regularly warns the community about scams, many of which specifically target seniors, making them vulnerable to fall victim.
"They're afraid to be rude, they don't want to hang up on a caller that may be asking for personal or financial information, and they tend to have nest eggs and obviously scammers know that," said Schiller.
Strangers aren’t the only concern. AARP Wisconsin also works to raise awareness about elder abuse.
"A lot of the times, the victims are actually kind of at the mercy of people that they trust. The person ends up taking advantage of them," said Courtney Anclam, AARP Wisconsin Senior Program Specialist.
AARP also encourages folks to learn the signs and report suspected abuse right away. "We know that this is happening to people all over Wisconsin and all over the country and the more we talk about it, the less power it has over people," said Anclam.
REPORT ELDER ABUSE
AARP RESOURCES
BBB RESOURCES