Elder Exploitation

Conferences nationwide mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and explore solutions to a growing concern.

The University of Minnesota recently hosted a large conference focused on what is considered to be the next large national crime wave: elder abuse. Attending the conference were social workers, nursing home workers, lawyers, law enforcers and others who work with seniors considered at risk for elder abuse.

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reported in “Minnesota elder abuse reports increasing” that the conference, hosted by the Minnesota Elder Justice Center, was one of many taking place across the country. The day of awareness was established in 2006 and is intended to raise awareness of financial crimes and other abuses committed against older people.

Seniors make up about one-fifth of financial abuse victims nationwide, Commerce Commissioner Mike Rothman said Thursday. They're tempting prey for scammers because old age often comes with reduced cognitive abilities. Financial scammers who target elderly or vulnerable Minnesotans would face stiffer penalties under a law Gov. Mark Dayton included in his two-year budget proposal.

As of late, seniors are falling victim to financial scams more than ever before. They make a tempting target for scammers when their cognitive abilities decline, making it easier for scammers to take advantage of their vulnerabilities.

As reported in a recent Minneapolis Star Tribune article titled “Dayton wants new financial protection law for elderly, vulnerable to protect from scams,”Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton has a plan to combat scammers. Dayton has proposed a plan that would add a $1 fee to insurers for every life insurance or annuity product they sell, which would help hire outreach employees, a senior ombudsman, and an investigator.

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