Mac users: Increase text size by holding command and +. Decrease text size by holding command and -.June 15th was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) and several resources have been made available to help communities promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older people. Continue reading
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AARP Survey Reveals Experience with Fraud Among Older Adults, Caregivers
In a recent short survey conducted between January 20-24, 2022, AARP asked adults 50 and older and family caregivers about their experiences losing money to a scam. The basis for the survey comes from AARP’s recent National Fraud Frontiers report, which reported
nine in 10 Americans (229 million people) experienced a fraud attempt in the past year, with one in seven (33 million people) losing money as a result. Continue reading
Resources for ‘Consumer Protection Week’ Promoted by National Center on Law and Elder Rights
In recognizing National Consumer Protection Week as a time to help people understand their consumer rights and avoid frauds and scams, the National Center on Law and Elder Rights is promoting a collection of resources to support older adults. Continue reading
US HHS Inspector General Updates COVID-19 Fraud and Scam Alert
In January of 2021, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of Inspector General, Office of Investigations (HHS/OIG/OI) issued a healthcare fraud alert, regarding COVID-19 vaccines that has recently been updated. Continue reading
Senior Medicare Patrol Warns of Potential Scams Offering COVID-19 Vaccines for Money, Personal Info
The Massachusetts Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) issued a tip sheet on what to know if older adults receive calls offering COVID-19 vaccines in exchange for money or personal information.
Regarding the potential scams, the Mass. SMP offers the following advice: Continue reading
US HHS Warns Medicare Consumers About Genetic Testing Fraud Scheme
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General is alerting the public about a fraud scheme involving genetic testing. Continue reading
MassChallenge HealthTech Awards More Than $200K in Cash Prizes to Top Digital Health Startups
MassChallenge, a global network of zero-equity startup accelerators, recently awarded more than $200K in cash prizes to six elite digital health startups from the 2019 HealthTech accelerator.
Among the awardees was GoGoGrandparent, which was supported by MassChallenge accelerator competition “champions” the Executive Office of Elder Affairs based on the feedback and direction of the Governor’s Council to Address Aging.
ASA Webinar Opportunity: How to Talk Elder Abuse
Over the past two years, the FrameWorks Institute worked with the National Center on Elder Abuse to create a communication strategy that demonstrates how communities can restructure to put elder abuse on the public agenda, generate a sense of collective efficacy on the issue, and boost support for systemic solutions to prevent and address abuse. Continue reading
Elder Abuse Awareness Videos Urge Involvement from Entire Community
A collaboration of the FrameWorks Institute and the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) are yielding great resources for raising awareness and combating Elder Abuse. In the process, with their latest resource, they are also explaining the benefits of Age-Friendly Communities. Continue reading
How You Can Fight Elder Abuse in Massachusetts
By Betsey Crimmins, Senior Attorney, Greater Boston Legal Services, Inc.
An elderly parent is neglected and isolated by his adult child; a 92 year old woman is at risk for eviction after being fleeced by scammers and does not have enough money to pay her rent; an elderly couple in their nineties begin to physically abuse each other; a 71 year old woman with limited education and sensory disabilities is duped by her son into transferring her home to him; a proud 86 year old veteran finds himself standing outside his home in his bathrobe clutching money and very disoriented. These are just some examples of how elder abuse affects our families, friends, and neighbors every day in our communities. Elder abuse is a complex and multi-faceted problem which must be addressed by everyone who works with or cares about older adults.