ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
California financial elder abuse attorneys want to pass along tips to combat and prevent elder abuse from The Elder Justice Roadmap, a report recently released by the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Health and Human Services.
According to the report, only one in 24 cases of elder abuse are reported to the authorities, and the abuse can take many forms, including financial exploitation. Older adults are more likely to suffer abuse at the ends of a family member rather than paid caregiver, say California financial elder abuse attorneys.
There are five specific areas in which the report recommends specific action, areas in which California financial elder abuse attorneys agree that progress can and should be made. The five areas of emphasis are:
1. Awareness- Increased public awareness of elder abuse is an important goal, and will require well-coordinated efforts in services, education, policy and research.
2. Brain health- The report wants to see more research into brain health, focusing on cognitive capacity and mental health.
3. Caregiving- There are millions of both paid and unpaid caregivers for senior citizens who can play a critical role in preventing elder abuse. Providing resources and training for these caregivers will help them to identify, prevent, and report abuse.
4. Economics- California financial elder abuse attorneys say that the financial exploitation of elders is only one cost of elder abuse. All types of elder abuse have a cost to elders, their families, and society, and calculating those costs will help to reduce the cost, as well as the abuse in the first place.
5. Resources- The strategic investment of resources into services, education, and research is necessary to reducing elder abuse in this country.
California financial elder abuse attorneys say that the report, released last July, has already produced benefits and changes. The Department of Justice has created training modules to help attorneys recognize and address potential financial exploitation of older Americans.
Evans Law Firm, Inc. handles all types of elder abuse cases, including financial elder abuse. If you or a loved one has been a victim of elder abuse, please contact Evans Law Firm, Inc. at 415-441-8669 or via email at info@evanslaw.com
