April 2008 Vol. 27. No. 4

Published by the Humboldt Senior Resource Center in Eureka, California. HSRC is a non-profit community-based organization offering services for senior citizens, multi-generational families and caregivers.

Fortuna -- Gardening for the heart
No farmers market vouchers
Play ball
Crescent City: Community garden project needs volunteers
Doorstep services -- opportunities for home delivery
Financial abuse ­ Ombudsmen learn how to prevent elder abuse

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Financial abuse ­ Ombudsmen learn how to prevent elder abuse
by Christina Martinez

Financial abuse against seniors is becoming an epidemic. In March the Ombudsman Program and the Residential Care Homes Association sponsored a presentation to increase awareness about this problem.

The presentation was given by a panel of speakers including Sara Senger, attorney of elder law; Marti Hufft, program manager for Adult Protective Services; Janine Sheesley, universal associate of Umpqua Bank; and Suzie Owsley, publicity officer for the Eureka Police Department. The participants learned the indicators for financial abuse and the role in community agencies in prevention.

The panelists discussed the growing crime and myths about financial abuse as well as identifying possible abusers such as family members, telemarketers, caregivers, business people and people posing as such.

The discussion also included the recently implemented law that mandates all financial institutions must report any suspicion of financial abuse of its account holders. Protecting elders from financial abuse is critical to ensure elder's financial stability.

Seniors need to be wary of anything that seems too good to be true such as sweepstakes winnings and lotto winnings, especially any kind of offer or deal that must be acted on immediately. Take time to get a second opinion by a trusted person.

Panelists emphasized the need to protect oneself from abuse by not giving out personal information over the phone or Internet, not prepaying for services, and checking with the city hall to ensure that business people are licensed to conduct business in their area.

Please remember that if you or someone you love suspects financial abuse or other forms of abuse, please call Adult Protective Services at 476-2100 or the police. If the abuse occurs in a nursing home or residential care home for the elderly, contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman office at 443-9747.

If you want to make a difference in the lives of elders, the Ombudsman program is currently looking for volunteers. Call 443-9747 for more information.

Christina Martinez is a long-term care Ombudsman, a social services program of the Humboldt Senior Resource Center.