Over the last 10 years Georgia has seen a rise in its elderly population, jumping up roughly one percent each year. The latest aging trends of Georgia illustrate that over one in every eight, or 12.8 percent, of the population is an older American (60+). Georgia has the ninth fastest growing 60+ population and the eighteenth fastest growing 85+ population in the United States. Georgia DHS speculates that “Georgia’s population ages 60 and above is expected to increase 75 percent between 2010 and 2030, from 1,450,968 persons to 2,533,710 persons.”
And, as a result, Georgia has seen a rise in reports of elder abuse.
With this in mind, Georgia Attorney General Chris Carr took time Tuesday to recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day by encouraging all Georgians to learn the signs and how to report instances of abuse. Unfortunately, many studies indicate elder abuse is underreported, so these figures may not even capture the full scope of the problem.
“According to the National Council on Aging, up to five million older Americans are abused every year, and the annual loss by victims of financial abuse is estimated to be at least $36.5 billion,” said Carr. “Sadly, the perpetrators of abuse are often family members or trusted caregivers. We can all play a role in protecting those most vulnerable, and so on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day our office is encouraging Georgians to learn how to spot the signs of elder abuse and know where to report it.”
Carr emphasizes that elder abuse is any kind of deliberate caretaker action that results in harm to an elderly person, including neglect. Elder abuse may be financial, emotional or physical in nature. Unfortunately, data indicates that this form of abuse affects many Americans, and the problem may only become worse as the number of elderly adults and the demand on their caretakers increases.
As part of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, Carr teamed with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Northern District of Georgia, the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, the Prosecuting Attorneys’ Council of Georgia, and the American Bankers Association to host a webinar Tuesday — “Financial Scams Affecting the Elderly,” — to inform consumers can learn more about how to protect seniors from financial exploitation.
According to Carr, Financial exploitation is the misuse of financial resources for another’s gain. Signs include: missing money or valuables, credit card charges the individual did not make, unusual activity in bank accounts, unpaid bills, rent or taxes, eviction notices, legal documents (such as will or power of attorney) signed by an elderly person who could not have understood what he or she was signing, and signatures on checks or documents that appear to be forged.
The Attorney General’s Consumer Protection Division (CPD) publishes the Georgia Consumer Protection Guide for Older Adults, a valuable resource for avoiding financial exploitation.
