>> HELLO.
I'M KATHLEEN QUINN,
THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR OF THE
NATIONAL ADULT PROTECTIVE
SERVICES ASSOCIATION, OR NAPSA.
WE ARE VERY PLEASED TO PARTNER
WITH THE ADMINISTRATION ON AGING
WITHIN THE ADMINISTRATION
FOR COMMUNITY LIVING,
THE SOCIAL SECURITY
ADMINISTRATION, WELLS FARGO
AND THEIR FINANCIAL EDUCATION
PROGRAM, "HANDS-ON BANKING"
AND RUSH UNIVERSITY,
TO PRESENT THIS TRAINING
MODULE: "ELDER ABUSE AND
FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION."
SINCE THE BIRTH OF NAPSA
IN 1989, OUR GOAL HAS BEEN
TO PROVIDE ADULT PROTECTIVE
SERVICES, OR APS PROGRAMS,
A FORUM FOR SHARING INFORMATION,
SOLVING PROBLEMS,
AND IMPROVING THE QUALITY OF
SERVICES FOR VULNERABLE ADULTS.
OUR MISSION IS TO STRENGTHEN
ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES
PROGRAMS IN ORDER TO IMPROVE THE
SAFETY AND INDEPENDENCE OF
OLDER PERSONS AND ADULTS WITH
DISABILITIES WHO ARE VICTIMS
OF ABUSE, NEGLECT, SELF-NEGLECT,
OR FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION.
THEREFORE, THIS TRAINING
MODULE SEEKS TO PROVIDE VITAL
INFORMATION FOR PROTECTING OUR
VULNERABLE ADULTS AND SENIORS
FROM THAT ABUSE, NEGLECT,
AND FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION.
SURPRISINGLY ENOUGH,
YOU WILL FIND THAT ABUSE AND
FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION OFTEN
OCCUR IN FAMILIAR SURROUNDINGS.
VERY OFTEN VULNERABLE ADULTS
AND SENIORS FACE CHALLENGES
FROM THEIR OWN ADULT CHILDREN,
OTHER FAMILY MEMBERS,
OR IN THE FACILITIES WHICH
ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THEIR CARE.
THAT'S WHY YOUR
ROLE AS REPRESENTATIVE
PAYEE IS SO IMPORTANT.
REPRESENTATIVE PAYEES
SERVE AS KEY RESOURCES
FOR VULNERABLE ADULTS WHEN
FAMILY OR FRIENDS ARE UNABLE TO
PROVIDE THE APPROPRIATE SUPPORT.
THEREFORE, WE MUST WORK
TOGETHER TO INCREASE NATIONAL
AWARENESS OF VULNERABLE
ADULT AND ELDER MISTREATMENT
THROUGH EDUCATION AND ADVOCACY.
THIS TRAINING IS JUST
ONE STEP TOWARD COMBATING
THIS CRITICAL ISSUE.
SO THANK YOU FOR MAKING
THE COMMITMENT TO SERVE
AS A REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE,
AND PLEASE ENJOY THIS TRAINING.
>> ELDER ABUSE.
FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION.
THIS EPIDEMIC IS QUITE PREVALENT
IN TODAY'S SOCIETY AND CONTINUES
TO OCCUR AT ALARMING RATES.
YOUR ROLE AS REPRESENTATIVE
PAYEE IS IMPORTANT,
AS YOU WILL HELP RECOGNIZE
AND REPORT SUCH ABUSE.
THEREFORE, BY THE END OF
THIS MODULE, YOU WILL BE
ABLE TO: DEFINE ELDER ABUSE
AND FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION;
RECOGNIZE THE SIGNS OF EACH;
AND KNOW YOUR ROLE AND
RESPONSIBILITY AS A REP PAYEE
FOR REPORTING SUCH ABUSE.
LET'S GET STARTED.
WHAT IS ELDER ABUSE?
>> HELLO, I'M JOHN
BUTORAC FROM THE SOCIAL
SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.
THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND
HUMAN SERVICES ADMINISTRATION
ON AGING DEFINES ELDER ABUSE
AS ANY KNOWING, INTENTIONAL,
OR NEGLIGENT ACT BY A CAREGIVER
OR ANY OTHER PERSON THAT
CAUSES HARM OR A SERIOUS RISK
OF HARM TO A VULNERABLE ADULT.
AS KATHLEEN STATED,
ELDER ABUSE AND FINANCIAL
EXPLOITATION TEND TO TAKE
PLACE WHERE THE SENIOR LIVES.
FAMILY MEMBERS ARE
REPORTED TO COMMIT OVER 90%
OF REPORTED ELDER ABUSE.
THE MOST COMMONLY REPORTED TYPES
OF ABUSE RECEIVED BY ADULT
PROTECTIVE SERVICES, OR APS,
ARE PHYSICAL ABUSE,
EMOTIONAL ABUSE, NEGLECT,
ISOLATION, FINANCIAL,
OR MATERIAL EXPLOITATION,
ABANDONMENT, SEXUAL ABUSE,
AND SELF-NEGLECT.
AS A REP PAYEE,
YOU CAN HELP BY LOOKING
FOR SIGNS OF ABUSE.
BE ATTENTIVE TO
SIGNS LIKE ISOLATION,
WHICH IS A BIG RISK FACTOR.
ISOLATION CAN BE SELF-IMPOSED OR
MAY BE DUE TO LOSS OF MOBILITY.
THE ELDERLY PERSON
MIGHT HAVE DEMENTIA OR
OTHER COGNITIVE IMPAIRMENTS.
IN ADDITION, ABUSERS OFTEN
CUT SENIORS OFF FROM OTHERS
AND CONVINCE THEM THAT
THEY ARE THE ONLY PERSON
WHO CARES FOR THEM.
OTHER SIGNS OF ABUSE AND NEGLECT
THAT YOU SHOULD REPORT ARE IF
THE INDIVIDUAL IS SUDDENLY
UNABLE TO MEET ESSENTIAL
PHYSICAL, PSYCHOLOGICAL,
OR SOCIAL NEEDS THREATENING
HEALTH, SAFETY, OR WELL-BEING;
IS DISAPPEARING FROM
CONTACT WITH NEIGHBORS,
FRIENDS OR FAMILY;
HAS BRUISING OR
WELTS ON THE SKIN,
ESPECIALLY THOSE APPEARING
ON THE FACE OR ARMS;
HAS FINGERPRINTS OR HANDPRINTS
VISIBLE ON THE FACE, NECK, ARMS,
OR WRISTS; APPEARS WITH TORN,
STAINED, BLOODY CLOTHING;
APPEARS DISHEVELED,
IN SOILED CLOTHING,
OR INAPPROPRIATELY ATTIRED
FOR CLIMATE; OR APPEARS
HUNGRY, MALNOURISHED,
DISORIENTED OR CONFUSED.
LASTLY, BE MINDFUL IF
THE PERSON SAYS THAT HE
OR SHE IS AFRAID OF THE
RELATIVE, CAREGIVER, OR FRIEND.
>> THAT COVERS ELDER ABUSE.
NOW, WHAT IS
FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION?
>> HI.
I'M ANN JOY LIEBERMAN FROM THE
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION.
FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION
OCCURS WHEN A PERSON MISUSES
OR TAKES THE ASSETS OF A
VULNERABLE ADULT FOR HIS
OR HER OWN PERSONAL BENEFIT.
THIS FREQUENTLY OCCURS
WITHOUT THE KNOWLEDGE
OR CONSENT OF A SENIOR OR
ADULT WITH DISABILITIES,
DEPRIVING HIM OR HER OF VITAL
FINANCIAL RESOURCES FOR
HIS OR HER PERSONAL NEEDS.
THESE ASSETS ARE COMMONLY
TAKEN VIA FORMS OF DECEPTION,
FALSE PRETENSES, COERCION,
HARASSMENT, DURESS, AND THREATS.
ACCORDING TO AARP,
ABOUT 60% OF APS CASES OF
FINANCIAL ABUSE NATIONWIDE
INVOLVED AN ADULT CHILD,
COMPARED WITH 47% FOR ALL
OTHER FORMS OF ELDER ABUSE.
SOME COMMON METHODS
INCLUDE JOINT CHECKING
ACCOUNTS CLEANED OUT;
UNMET PROMISES OF CARE IN
EXCHANGE FOR MONEY OR PROPERTY;
THEFT OF JEWELRY,
OTHER VALUABLES,
CHECKS OR MONEY; PHYSICAL
ABUSE, THREATS, INTIMIDATION,
AND NEGLECT.
AS A REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE,
YOU SHOULD LOOK FOR THESE SIGNS
OF FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION:
UNPAID BILLS AND TERMINATION
OF VITAL UTILITIES DESPITE
HAVING ADEQUATE INCOME;
APPEARANCE OF PROPERTY
LIENS OR FORECLOSURE NOTICES;
OVERSIGHT OF FINANCES
SURRENDERED TO OTHERS WITHOUT
EXPLANATION OR CONSENT,
OR BY A PERSON WHO EXHIBITS
SIGNS OF COGNITIVE DECLINE;
CHECKS WRITTEN TO "CASH;"
UNEXPLAINED DISAPPEARANCE
OF CASH, VALUABLE OBJECTS,
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS;
OR UNEXPLAINED OR
UNAUTHORIZED CHANGES TO WILLS
OR OTHER ESTATE DOCUMENTS.
OR IF THE BENEFICIARY TRIES
TO WIRE LARGE AMOUNTS OF MONEY;
USES THE ATM A LOT; TRANSFERS
ASSETS TO NEW FRIENDS,
OR MAKES NEW OR UNUSUAL
GIFTS TO FAMILY OR OTHERS.
TAKE A LOOK AT THIS FOR A BETTER
PERSPECTIVE AND UNDERSTANDING
OF FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION.
[ MUSIC PLAYING ]
>> MY AUNT FOR ALL
HER LIFE HAS BEEN A VERY
INDEPENDENT PERSON,
AND THEN ALL OF A SUDDEN,
THINGS CHANGED.
I WAS AT WORK,
AND I RECEIVED A TELEPHONE
CALL FROM THEIR ACCOUNTANT,
AND HE BEGAN TO TELL
ME THIS SORDID TALE.
AT FIRST I TRIED TO TALK
TO THEM AND EXPLAIN TO
THEM WHAT WAS GOING ON.
I EXPLAINED TO THEM BASICALLY
THAT THEY WERE BROKE,
THAT THEY WERE,
THEY WERE HIGHLY IN DEBT.
THIS WAS SO SERIOUS
THAT THEY'RE, YOU KNOW,
PROBABLY GOING TO LOSE THEIR
HOUSE, AND THAT THIS IS A SCAM.
THERE IS NOTHING FOR FREE.
YOU'RE NOT, YOU'RE NOT
GOING TO WIN MONEY.
AND I THOUGHT THAT I HAD DONE A
GOOD JOB, BUT THEN I WENT AWAY,
CAME BACK THE NEXT MONTH,
AND IT WAS STILL GOING ON.
IT'S ALMOST AS THOUGH THE SECOND
I LEAVE I KNOW THAT THE PHONE
WAS GOING TO RING AND THEY
WOULD BE TALKING TO THEM AGAIN.
[ PHONE RINGING ]
THE SCAMMERS TOLD THEM THAT
THEY HAD WON BRAND NEW BMWs.
NOW ALL THEY HAD TO
DO WAS PAY FOR THE TAXES
AND THE STORAGE FEES.
AND OF COURSE,
THEY DIDN'T HAVE THE MONEY
AT THE TIME TO DO THAT,
SO THEY SAID, "WELL,
YOU DON'T NEED THE OTHER CARS,
SO JUST SELL THOSE CARS,
USE THAT MONEY TO PAY THE
TAXES AND THE STORAGE FEES,
AND WE'LL DELIVER
THE NEW BMWs TO YOU."
THEY SOLD THE CARS AND
GAVE THE PROCEEDS TO THESE
PEOPLE AND HERE THEY ARE WITH
NO MEANS OF TRANSPORTATION.
AND I SAID,
"DO YOU KNOW HOW MUCH
MONEY YOU'VE SENT THEM?"
"WELL, A COUPLE
THOUSAND DOLLARS?"
I SAID, "NO.
THREE QUARTERS OF A
MILLION DOLLARS, LET'S TRY."
"NO!
THAT'S IMPOSSIBLE."
I SAID, "IT'S NOT IMPOSSIBLE."
I GOT INVOLVED WAY TOO LATE.
I WISH I HAD BECOME AWARE,
I WISH SOMEBODY WOULD HAVE
MADE ME AWARE EARLIER ON.
I WOULD HAVE INTERVENED
AND PERHAPS, YOU KNOW,
SAVED THE HOUSE
OR SAVED SOMETHING.
PREVENTED THEM FROM
SUFFERING THE WAY THAT
THEY'VE BEEN SUFFERING.
SO THAT IS WHY I'M SO
PASSIONATE ABOUT IT.
[ MUSIC PLAYING ]
>> WELL, A TYPICAL FOREIGN
LOTTERY SCAM WOULD BE
SOMEONE EITHER IS SOLICITED
OVER THE TELEPHONE OR
THEY RECEIVE A MAILING
THAT SAYS THEY'RE A BIG
WINNER OF A SWEEPSTAKES.
>> OFTEN OUR SENIOR
CITIZENS ARE THE TARGET.
>> THE CRIMINAL ELEMENT
WILL ACTUALLY BOND WITH THE
VICTIMS OVER THE PHONE.
>> THEN THEY'LL BE
TOLD, CONGRATULATIONS.
YOU'VE WON A MILLION DOLLARS,
FIVE MILLION DOLLARS.
>> THEY'RE ASKING FOR
SOME SORT OF A PAYMENT,
EVEN THOUGH YOU ARE THE WINNER,
TO EITHER PAY TAXES,
TO PAY MAYBE CUSTOMS FEES.
>> AND THEN IF YOU
GIVE THEM MORE MONEY YOU
ACTUALLY WILL SEE, YOU KNOW,
CAMERA CREWS SHOW UP
WITH YOUR BIG CHECK AND
ALL OF YOUR WINNINGS.
THESE PEOPLE CALL
ON A DAILY BASIS.
>> IF A VICTIM'S FAMILY MEMBER
ANSWER THE PHONE THEY WILL
BASICALLY LEAVE THE VICTIM
ALONE JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT
THE FAMILY MEMBER FELT
THAT HE OR SHE IS SAFE.
THAT'S WHEN THEY MOVE IN AGAIN.
>> BY THE TIME FAMILY
MEMBERS FIND OUT ABOUT IT,
TYPICALLY A LOT OF MONEY
HAS GONE OUT THE DOOR.
IT'S DISGUSTING
AND IT'S HEARTBREAKING.
>> IF YOU'RE A PERSON
THAT HAS CONSCIENCE,
YOU CANNOT DO THIS STUFF.
BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE A
CONSCIENCE, IT'S NOTHING TO YOU.
BECAUSE IF YOU DON'T
HAVE A CONSCIENCE
YOU DON'T HAVE A SOUL,
AND THIS THING TAKES
AWAY YOUR SOUL FROM YOU.
>> SONIA'S MOM HAS BEEN
SENDING MONEY TO NONEXISTENT
FOREIGN LOTTERIES.
SHE THINKS THE CON
MEN ARE HER FRIENDS.
EIGHTY-THREE YEARS OLD AND
SUFFERING FROM DEMENTIA,
SHE HAS BEEN FORGETTING
WARNINGS FROM LOVED ONES.
>> SO WHAT WERE YOU
GOING TO TELL ME?
YOU WERE GOING TO
TELL ME THAT YOU SWEAR
THAT YOU'LL NEVER WHAT?
>> SEND ANY MORE MONEY OUT.
>> AND TODAY'S DATE
IS JANUARY THE 27TH.
>> IF IT IS THAT, SURE.
>> THAT'S WHAT IT IS,
JANUARY THE 27TH.
>> OKAY, BUT I SWEAR I'M
NEVER GOING TO SEND
ANY MORE MONEY OUT.
>> GREAT.
THAT'S TERRIFIC.
I'D LOVE TO -- I
HOPE THAT THAT HAPPENS.
I WOULD LOVE THAT TO HAPPEN.
SO WHEN YOU GET THESE
CALLS FROM JAMAICA -- AND I
SAW IT ON THE PHONE TONIGHT,
I HAPPENED TO SEE IT -- AND
WHEN YOU SEE THOSE CALLS,
YOU SHOULD PUT THE PHONE DOWN.
>> OKAY.
BUT I'M JUST SAYING I
SWEAR I'M NOT GOING TO
SEND ANY MORE MONEY OUT.
>> THE NEXT DAY,
SONIA'S MOM WIRED
$800 TO JAMAICA.
>> SHE HAS LOST MORE THAN
$92,000 IN FOUR YEARS.
LEARN HOW TO STOP THESE
CRIMES AT DELIVERINGTRUST.COM.
>> WHAT YOU SAW IN THOSE
CLIPS HAPPENS ALL THE TIME.
>> SO BY NOW, YOU MUST
BE WONDERING, WHY ARE
OLDER PERSONS VULNERABLE
FOR EXPLOITATION?
>> AND HOW CAN I STOP
SENIOR FINANCIAL ABUSE?
>> THERE ARE A FEW THINGS THAT
CONTRIBUTE TO THE PREVALENCE
OF SENIOR FINANCIAL ABUSE.
A HIGH PERCENTAGE
OF SENIORS LIVE ALONE.
AGAIN, ISOLATION IS
A BIG RISK FACTOR.
DIMINISHED COGNITIVE CAPACITY,
EVEN WHEN THE OLDER
PERSON STILL FUNCTIONS WELL
IN OTHER AREAS, INCREASES
VULNERABILITY TO ABUSE.
AND THERE ARE OTHER
FACTORS THAT CONTRIBUTE.
AS YOU SAW IN THE CLIPS,
SENIORS MAY BE VERY TRUSTING
AND BELIEVE THE "PITCHES"
THEY HEAR, AND MAY HAVE
TROUBLE SPOTTING FRAUD.
ALSO, THE POPULATION
OF SENIORS IS INCREASING,
PROVIDING A CONTINUOUS SOURCE OF
WEALTH FOR FINANCIAL ABUSERS.
ADULT CHILDREN AND GRANDCHILDREN
MAY HAVE A SENSE OF ENTITLEMENT
AND CONSIDER THE SENIOR'S
MONEY ALREADY THEIRS; OR SADLY,
THE ABUSER MAY HAVE A SUBSTANCE
ABUSE PROBLEM, GAMBLING PROBLEM,
OR A MENTAL ILLNESS.
>> BE AWARE THAT IT
CAN HAPPEN TO ANYONE.
PAY ATTENTION TO POSSIBLE
SIGNS OF FINANCIAL ABUSE AMONG
THE BENEFICIARIES YOU SERVE.
EDUCATE THEM AND THEIR
OTHER CAREGIVERS ABOUT IT,
AND STAY KNOWLEDGEABLE ABOUT
YOUR COMMUNITY'S RESOURCES.
AND LASTLY AND MOST IMPORTANTLY,
CONTACT YOUR LOCAL
ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES.
APS PROGRAMS NATIONWIDE
ARE USUALLY THE FIRST
RESPONDERS TO ELDER ABUSE,
AS WELL AS ABUSE OF YOUNGER
ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES.
THEY HAVE BEEN CHARGED WITH
INVESTIGATING REPORTS OF ABUSE,
NEGLECT, AND EXPLOITATION.
EVEN IF YOU JUST HAVE A FEELING
ABOUT A SITUATION BUT
CAN'T VERIFY THE DETAILS,
IT'S STILL BETTER TO
REPORT YOUR CONCERNS TO APS.
APS WORKERS ARE PROFESSIONAL
SOCIAL WORKERS TRAINED TO
ASSESS THESE SITUATIONS AND
DETERMINE HOW BEST TO RESPOND.
PLEASE NOTE THAT APS MUST
DETERMINE THAT THE ALLEGED
VICTIM MEETS YOUR STATE'S
APS ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA.
FOR EXAMPLE, THE INDIVIDUAL
MAY HAVE TO HAVE A
SERIOUS DISABILITY.
HOWEVER, IF YOU EVER
WITNESS A LIFE-THREATENING
SITUATION INVOLVING A
SENIOR OR VULNERABLE
ADULT, DIAL 911.
>> THIS CONCLUDES THE
TRAINING ON ELDER ABUSE
AND FINANCIAL EXPLOITATION.
WE HOPE THIS TRAINING HAS
INCREASED YOUR KNOWLEDGE AND
YOUR SENSE OF AWARENESS TO
HELP YOU DETECT SIGNS OF ABUSE.
FOR FURTHER
INFORMATION ABOUT NAPSA,
YOU CAN GO TO NAPSA'S WEBSITE
AT WWW.NAPSA-NOW.ORG.
THE APS REPORTING NUMBERS FOR
EACH STATE CAN BE FOUND
UNDER "HELP IN YOUR AREA --
JUST CLICK ON YOUR STATE."
AND IF YOU WANT FURTHER
INFORMATION ABOUT THE SOCIAL
SECURITY ADMINISTRATION'S
REPRESENTATIVE PAYEE POLICY,
GO TO
WWW.SOCIALSECURITY.GOV/PAYEE.
THANKS FOR WATCHING.