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Preying on the Elderly
a 2-part series from The California Report and the San Mateo County Times
"Preying on the Elderly" is a joint reporting project between The California Report and the San Mateo County Times examining the growing problem of financial elder abuse in the state. Financial elder abuse can be economically and emotionally traumatizing. It takes the form of scams and predatory loans that target vulnerable older people. It also includes outright theft -- usually by a family member, caregiver or trusted friend. More than 33,000 older people reported this type of abuse last year, and experts estimate thousands more fail to report abuse out of fear, dependence and shame. Judy Campbell reports for The California Report.
A New Legal Strategy
Mon, Apr 11, 2005 - 6:50 and 8:50am
 Listen
Though California has some of the strictest elder abuse laws in the country, few cases of financial abuse are actually prosecuted. Now, for the first time in a trial court in California, a San Mateo District Attorney is testing an unusual new legal theory to put perpetrators of financial abuse behind bars. The case is being watched throughout California and nationwide.
Case Workers Overloaded with Investigations
Tue, Apr 12, 2005 - 6:50 and 8:50am
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State law requires Adult Protective Services workers to investigate all reported cases of elder abuse. Since most abuses are committed by family members, financial abuse cases are often enmeshed in complicated family dynamics. Teasing out the issues and figuring out how to help the older person can be a long, involved process. A process that is made harder by state and local budget cuts, which have sent caseloads for Protective Services workers soaring.
For More Information:
• San Mateo County Times Preying on the Elderly page
• Recognizing Elder Abuse
• Interactive Map showing elder abuse statistics by county
Photo: San Mateo County Times Chief Photographer John Green
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