02-06-2025
Protecting the Vulnerable: Raising Awareness of Elder Abuse and Exploitation
Waco, TX (FOX 44) — June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month, dedicated to shining a light on the mistreatment of older adults.
Elder Abuse Awareness Month encourages communities to take action against caregivers who may subject seniors to neglect, exploitation, and abuse. It looks different in every case – abuse can mean any neglect, physical, financial, or emotional mistreatment.
One of the most common forms of elder abuse appears in telephone scams. Due to cognitive decline, the senior population is more susceptible to believing misinformation.
'They're talked into, maybe, giving away some money, giving access to their accounts,' Visiting Angels Care Coordinator Manager Sarah Hargrave said. 'And that puts them in a tight spot. They don't realize that they're talking to someone who's insincere.'
Hargrave said many elders who have been diagnosed with dementia or Alzheimer's disease are because they are most vulnerable. It's important that seniors are assisted in protecting their sensitive information, because they are often targeted in cybercrimes.
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