As people age, they may become more vulnerable to abuse, exploitation and neglect.
In Vermont, the majority of reports to Adult Protective Services are about financial exploitation, said Joe Nusbaum, the department’s assistant director. And such reports are on the increase.
The elderly are “extremely vulnerable” to financial scams, which often involve emails or phone calls from people impersonating a grandchild, IRS official or prospective romantic partner, Nusbaum said.
In some cases their mental faculties are not as strong as they once were. And isolation also plays a role.
“Many of them are very lonely, very welcoming to a call on the phone, whether it’s someone they know or a stranger,” he said. “Many of them have lost their life partners and find themselves alone in the world. And they also have money.”
Nusbaum’s advice? Be suspicious of anyone who asks for money by phone, email or mail.
“Just take the time to talk to somebody else about it,” and don’t send any money until you’re 100 percent about where it’s going, he said.
Last year, New Hampshire created a new unit in the Department of Justice to prevent and tackle crimes against the elderly.
The Valley News recently exchanged emails with Brandon H. Garod, the attorney with the new Elder Abuse and Exploitation Unit.
What led to the creation of the Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation Unit?
The unit was created in response to the increase in exploitation of seniors in New Hampshire. These cases are often under-investigated and under-prosecuted. The unit was created in order to address this problem by supporting law enforcement throughout the state in these investigations and prosecutions.
Why are these cases often under-investigated and under-prosecuted?
I believe these cases have been under investigated/prosecuted because they were very difficult to prove. The victims are often suffering diminished mental capacity, including dementia or Alzheimer’s, and can’t testify or cooperate in the investigations. Additionally, since the victims are often exploited by family members they often refuse to cooperate or deny the allegations despite overwhelming evidence of exploitation. This can be the most difficult hurdle to overcome when investigating and prosecuting these cases.
How does the unit support law enforcement in those investigations and prosecutions?
This unit supports law enforcement by providing advice and assistance with coordinating investigations, making strategic charging decisions, and developing prosecution strategies. The unit also has a full-time victim witness advocate who can provide services to the elderly victims and assist them with the investigation process.
What sort of incidents do you get the most calls about?
We get many calls regarding elderly individuals who have fallen victim to phone or mail scams. These are the most difficult cases to investigate and prosecute because the perpetrators are very difficult to identify and often reside outside the country. We also get many referrals of cases where a family member is exploiting an elderly relative by spending their money for their own purposes.
How prevalent are the problems of elder abuse and financial exploitation?
The elder abuse and exploitation problem in this state is extremely prevalent. New Hampshire has one of the fastest aging populations in the country. As a result, we are receiving approximately 15-25 referrals from the Bureau of Elderly and Adult Services each week.
What are some red flags caregivers and family members should look for?
Some of the most common red flags include missing or out of sequence checks on the elderly person’s bank account, unexplained purchases or changes in spending habits, sudden concerns about or shortage of money, reluctance to talk about money, reluctance by a power of attorney or caregiver to allow the elderly person to speak with anyone outside of their presence, the presence of a new individual who appears to be befriending and spending all of their time with the elderly person. Obviously the last example is not always a sign of abuse, but families should be suspicious of unrelated younger individuals who seem to be spending a disproportionate amount of time with an elderly person.
Aimee Caruso can be reached at acaruso@vnews.com or 603-727-3210.
Family members or caregivers who suspect abuse should contact their state’s adult service organization and their local police department. For emergency situations, call 9-1-1.
New Hampshire
Bureau of Elderly & Adult Services, 1-800-949-0470
New Hampshire Attorney General’s Office, 603-271-3658
Vermont
Adult Protective Services, 1-800-564-1612
Vermont Attorney General’s Office, 802-828-3171