VCatena's Content

Mary Roberts of Houston, Texas, urging Congress to Pass the Elder Justice Act

VCatena — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:07:03 -0700

This plea from Mary Roberts of Houston, Texas is part of the Elder Justice Campaign – a national campaign to break the silence on elder abuse and pass the Elder Justice Act.

Mary speaks on behalf of “the seniors that you have and the seniors that you will become,” asking Congress to “pass the Elder Justice Act because the quality of our life will be better and we will longer”.

There is a silent crisis that affects every community in America: Elder abuse. Each year an estimated 5 million of America’s older adults are beaten, ignored or financially exploited. Yet, as a country, we remain silent about this growing crisis.

To begin to address this problem, Congress has an immediate opportunity to pass federal legislation that will provide a foundation from which we can begin to protect our country’s elders — the Elder Justice Act. But we cannot do this without your help. Please help us break the silence by adding your voice to the national campaign and urge Congress to pass the Elder Justice Act now!

Get Involved! http://ElderJusticeNow.org

Sam Leichter from San Francisco, California, urging Congress to Pass the Elder Justice Act

VCatena — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 14:01:16 -0700

This story from Sam Leichter of San Francisco, California, is part of the Elder Justice Campaign – a national campaign to break the silence on elder abuse and pass the Elder Justice Act.

As Program Coordinator of the Elder Financial Protection Network, Sam speaks everyday with victims of financial abuse and exploitation who are often afraid of reporting abuses because frequently the abuse involves a family member and “they don’t want to get a loved one in trouble.”

Sam underlines the importance of approving the Elder Justice Act because it will give seniors and the communities they live in “the resources and tools they need to protect seniors and help seniors protect themselves”.

Sam shares this story because there is a silent crisis that affects every community in America: Elder abuse. Each year an estimated 5 million of America’s older adults are beaten, ignored or financially exploited. Yet, as a country, we remain silent about this growing crisis.

Get Involved! http://ElderJusticeNow.org

Bobbie Sackman of New York, New York, urging Congress to Pass the Elder Justice Act

VCatena — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:55:27 -0700

This story from Bobbie Sackman of New York, New York, is part of the Elder Justice Campaign – a national campaign to break the silence on elder abuse and pass the Elder Justice Act.

Based on her professional experience, Bobbie Sackman knows that elder abuse often happens behind the closed doors of family. She believes that it is time to stand and do something to protect the people who built this country. To members of the Congress she says: “If you love your grandparents, pass this Act”.

Bobbie is the Director of Public Policy at the Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York. She works to ensure that the elderly of New York City receive quality services such as daily meals, home care, case management, legal services, recreational and social activities, transportation, escort and shopping services, counseling, benefit assistance and community outreach.

Bobbie shares this story because there is a silent crisis that affects every community in America: Elder abuse. Each year an estimated 5 million of America’s older adults are beaten, ignored or financially exploited. Yet, as a country, we remain silent about this growing crisis.

Get Involved! http://ElderJusticeNow.org

Joanne Woodruff from San Antonio, Texas, urging Congress to Pass the Elder Justice Act

VCatena — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:46:42 -0700

This testimony was shared by Joanne Woodruff from San Antonio, Texas, as a part of the Elder Justice Now Campaign - a national campaign to break the silence on elder abuse and pass the Elder Justice Act.

Joanne shares with us a story of financial elder abuse. She tells about one case involving a supposed friend of an elder gentleman. This ‘friend’ deceitfully gained the rights to access the gentleman’s bank accounts, took the victim’s money and refused his sister the opportunity to see him on his deathbed.

Senior fraud is all too common to Asst. District Attorney Joanne Woodruff.
She states that in Bexar County District alone, there are 150 active cases of elder abuses. Says Joanne, “It is very surprising and very sad that nothing has passed through Congress as far as elders are concerned”.

Joanne shares her story because elder abuse is a silent crisis that affects every community in the U.S.: each year an estimated 5 million of America’s older adults are beaten, ignored or financially exploited. Yet as a country, we remain silent about this growing crisis.

Get Involved! http://ElderJusticeNow.org

Resident of Monterey, California, urging Congress to Pass the Elder Justice Act

VCatena — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:40:00 -0700

The youngest of five siblings and her mother’s caretaker after her mother was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. She, experiencing times of financial trouble, began paying her own bills using her mother’s money. Ultimately, she was confronted by her sister and relinquished control of her mother’s account to a qualified financial manager. She has since made the transition from an abuser to an elder rights advocate.

Abuse by a family member is a common story. According to a study conducted by the MetLife Mature Market Institute, families, friends, neighbors, and caregivers were involved as perpetrators of elder financial abuse 55% of the time.

This woman shares her story because there is a silent crisis that affects every community in America: Elder abuse. Each year an estimated 5 million of America’s older adults are beaten, ignored or financially exploited. Yet, as a country, we remain silent about this growing crisis.

Get Involved! http://ElderJusticeNow.org

Carolyn Crewey from Houston, Texas, urging Congress to Pass the Elder Justice Act

VCatena — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 13:02:33 -0700

This video is from Carolyn Crewey, a survivor of elder abuse from Houston Texas, and is part of the Elder Justice Now Campaign -- a national campaign to break the silence on elder abuse and pass the Elder Justice Act.

A victim of financial abuse, at 90 years old Carolyn lost her home, much of her furniture, and had her bank account compromised at the hands of a ‘good friend.’ Regarding her abuse, Carolyn states, “You don’t want to get close to another person again. You’re afraid of it.”

Carolyn is one of many elderly women affected by elder abuse. Reports from Adult Protective Services (APS) suggest that the “typical” victim of elder financial abuse is between the ages of 70 and 89, white, female, frail, and frequently cognitively impaired.

Get Involved -> http://ElderJusticeNow.org

Mark Hassell of Monterey, California, urging Congress to Pass the Elder Justice Act

VCatena — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:52:42 -0700

This video is from Mark Hassell of Monterey, California and is part of the Elder Justice Now Campaign -- a national campaign to break the silence on elder abuse and pass the Elder Justice Act.

Mark’s grandmother, Lillian, is a victim of financial abuse. She is 99 years old and has Alzheimer’s. A ‘friend’ from church offered to help when due to her declining health, Lillian fell behind on her bills. Months of forgery, loan schemes, and foreclosures ensued, leaving her almost penniless.

Mark’s story is one of many. According to a study conducted by the MetLife Mature Market Institute, elder financial abuse, while under reported, accounts for an annual loss by victims of an estimated $2.6 billion.
Mark shares his story because there is a silent crisis that affects every community in America: Elder abuse. Each year an estimated 5 million of America’s older adults are beaten, ignored or financially exploited. Yet, as a country, we remain silent about this growing crisis.

Get Involved! http://ElderJusticeNow.org

Jaynry Mak of San Francisco, California, urging Congress to Pass the Elder Justice Act

VCatena — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:41:55 -0700

This plea from Jaynry Mak of San Francisco, California, is part of the Elder Justice Campaign – a national campaign to break the silence on elder abuse and pass the Elder Justice Act.

Jaynry asks Congress to act now in order to prevent more elders from suffering from financial exploitation and scams. She is Associate Director of the Elder Financial Protection Network in San Francisco. She works with the EFPN to build public awareness, drive community outreach, and provide professional training to prevent elder financial exploitation.

Jaynry shares this story because there is a silent crisis that affects every community in America: Elder abuse. Each year an estimated 5 million of America’s older adults are beaten, ignored or financially exploited. Yet, as a country, we remain silent about this growing crisis.

Get Involved -> http://ElderJusticeNow.org

Jamie Ottesen of Windsor, California, urging Congress to Pass the Elder Justice Act

VCatena — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:34:37 -0700

This video is from Jamie Ottesen of Windsor, California and is part of the Elder Justice Now Campaign -- a national campaign to break the silence on elder abuse and pass the Elder Justice Act.

While in a care home for seniors, Jamie’s mother received third degree burns. Instead of seeking medical care, the staff threw her in a cold shower, contacting no one. Jamie shares, "One of the saddest tragedies about this abuse is that nothing never happen. The woman was completely found not guilty, there was no issues and she continued to run her care home".

Jamie's mother's tragedy is similar to many. According to a study conducted by the Special Investigations Division of the House Government Reform Committee of Congress discovered that 30% of the nursing homes in the country were cited for almost 9,000 instances of abuse between 1999 and 2001.

Get Involved-> http://ElderJusticeNow.org

Cindy Healy of Monterey, California, urging Congress to Pass the Elder Justice Act

VCatena — Mon, 21 Sep 2009 12:11:42 -0700

This video is from Cindy Healy of Monterey, California and is part of the Elder Justice Now Campaign -- a national campaign to break the silence on elder abuse and pass the Elder Justice Act.

Based on years of professional experience Cindy knows well that elder abuse takes place everyday. She asks members of the Congress to act immediately of behalf of the elders who need help now but also for all of us that are seniors to come.

Cindy is a CPA who serves as a trustee and guardian for elders. She works along side Adult Protective Services and families to help prevent financial elder abuse fraud, detect it where it happens, and reconcile the damages.

Cindy shares this story because there is a silent crisis that affects every community in America: Elder abuse. Each year an estimated 5 million of America’s older adults are beaten, ignored or financially exploited. Yet, as a country, we remain silent about this growing crisis.

Get Involved -> http://ElderJusticeNow.org