Safety for the Elderly

Crimes Against Our Seniors
The issue of senior abuse is a growing problem, as Michigan’s population grows older. According to the United States Census Bureau, persons over the age of 65 increased 21% in Michigan, while persons under the age of 65 decreased by 2%. It is projected that by the year 2010, two million Michigan residents will be over 65 years of age. That is 16.6% of Michigan’s projected population.

FACTS ABOUT ELDER ABUSE

The victims:

•  75% of victims are female
•  80% of all victims have income under $10,000 a year  
•  The average age of abused elders is 75

The abusers:
·        The family is the single greatest source of elder abuse
·        In more than half the cases, the abuser is a child of the victim
·        Over 2/3 are middle aged or older
·        Most live with the victim
·        Most neglect is committed by female family members
·        Most physical abuse is committed by male family members

The causes:
·        Inability to deal with stress
·        Financial burdens
·        Unemployment
·        Job dissatisfaction
·        Rising cost of medical care
·        Demands on caregiver’s time
·        Rise in family violence

Types of abuse:

·        Physical abuse – This involves the beating of the elderly.

·        Neglect – This occurs when an elderly person is not receiving the basic day-to-day care that they need.

·        Psychological – This may involve the threat of violence, isolation, or deprivation of basic freedoms of choice and happiness

·        Financial – Many times the elderly turn their personal finances over to a family caregiver with the hope of avoiding probate court. Crimes committed are: theft, mismanagement of money, or the sale of property without consent.

Elderly crime victim statistics: (from the Michigan State Police Criminal Justice Information Center)

In 1999, overall crime was down 5% in Michigan, but crime against persons over 65 was up, including:

·        Larceny - up 4%

·        Fraud - up 8%

·        Burglary - up 11%

·        Stolen property - up 17%

·        Non-Aggravate Assault - up 18%

·        Neglect - up 36%

TELEMARKETING FRAUD
Most people think they are safe from crime when they are secure in their own home. The truth is criminals use the telephone as a tool to scam people of their savings, often with devastating consequences. Telemarketing fraud is believed to cost Americans $40 billion a year and older people are disproportionately targeted.

Why the Elderly are Targeted

·        Elderly are more trusting

·        Elderly are polite toward strangers

·        It’s hard to know a sales call is legitimate

·        Telemarketers call when they are feeling lonely

·        Telemarketers seem to have all the answers

·        Telemarketers offer free prizes and gifts

Types of phone scams

·        Prize offers

·        Travel packages

·        Health products

·        Investments

·        Charities

·        Recovery scams

TIPS FOR AVOIDING TELEMARKETING FRAUD

·        Remember the caller is NOT your friend

·        The caller only wants your money

·        Don’t be pushed into a decision

·        Your best protection is to HANG UP

·        Do not give out personal information such as credit card, Social Security, or bank account numbers, unless you initiated the call.

FEDERAL TELEMARKETING SALES RULES

Telemarketers must tell you:

·        The name of their company

·        The fact it is a sales call

·        What is being sold

·        You cannot be asked to pay anything for a prize

·        You cannot be asked to pay anything in advance for services

·        If you tell them not to call again, they can’t.

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