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Welcome to the June Delaware Cares!
Elder Abuse Awareness Month
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National World Elder Abuse
Awareness Day (WEAAD) is June 15
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is the day each year when we seek to raise awareness about the millions of older adults in the U.S. who experience elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation. As many as 1 in 10 older Americans are abused or neglected each year and only 1 in 14 cases of elder abuse ever comes to the attention of authorities. Older Americans are vital, contributing members of our society and their abuse or neglect diminishes all of us. WEAAD reminds us that, as in a just society, all of us have a critical role to play to focus attention on elder justice. For more information about World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, click here
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Caregiver Feedback Needed
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the experience of caregiving for many. We are asking you to to take this survey to ensure our partners can better advocate for caregivers, driving policy changes that address your needs during these challenging times. We know you probably have a lot going on so the survey is designed to be completed in 15-20 minutes. Click on this link and take a few minutes to share your thoughts. At the end of the survey you'll have the opportunity to receive a small token of appreciation (while supplies last) from the Roslyn Carter Institute. And, you'll have the satisfaction of knowing that your feedback is contributing to the support of caregivers throughout the country.
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Delaware Elder Law Services
Are you in need of help with estate planning or other legal assistance? Lawyers are often the first to spot possible financial exploitation and can help stop it. DSAAPD's partners like the Elder Law Program (ELP) of Community Legal Aid Society, Inc., is helping to address financial exploitation and many other types of abuse and neglect. ELP provides limited legal assistance, free of charge, to Delawareans aged 60 years or older. Legal help includes:
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The Importance of Reporting Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation
Only about one in twenty-three elder abuse cases are reported to authorities each year. However, in order to address the growing numbers of victims, it is vitally important for people to report immediately, given the serious harm to the victim's health or assets that could result. Even if you're unsure about whether such abuse is actually taking place, reporting your suspicions is an important first step. The resulting investigation can determine whether an older adult or person with disabilities are in fact being abused or, at the very least, it can provide them with helpful information to ensure that they are protected from abuse in the future.
Two programs are available in Delaware to handle reports of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of older persons or people with disabilities. Which program you contact depends on whether or not the individual lives in a licensed long-term care facility.
- To report a case of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an older person or a person with a disability who does not live in a licensed long term care facility (for example, the person lives in his or her own house or apartment, in a group home, or in an unlicensed adult foster care home), contact the Adult Protective Services Program at 1-800-223-9074.
- To report a case of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of a resident of a long-term care facility (for example, a nursing home or assisted living facility), contact the Division of Health Care Quality at 1-877-453-0012.
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Fraud Information Links: Office of the Inspector General Social Security Administration
The Inspector General of Social Security is warning the public about scams of increasingly common government employee impersonation scams, this time involving the Social Security Advisory Board. The Advisory Board has reported that individuals are receiving scam phone calls displaying the board's phone number on caller ID. The callers are reportedly attempting to obtain personal information, including Social Security numbers. If you receive this type of call, you should not engage with the caller or provide personal information or money in response to requests or threats.
These callers are employing tactics similar to impersonation schemes involving the IRS, SSA, and the SSA OIG. Inspector General Ennis advises that callers may use a variety of false scenarios or threats to obtain personal information or payments, often requested through gift cards or prepaid debit cards.
However, the Social Security Advisory Board typically does not contact the general public to request personal information over the phone. Moreover, government employees will never threaten you to obtain personal information or payments. In those cases, the call is fraudulent, and you should just hang up.
If you receive a suspicious call, you may report that information online at https://oig.ssa.gov/report or by calling (800) 269-0271, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Eastern Time. You can also report these scams to the Federal Trade Commission through a new site specific to Social Security scams:
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Check out DSAAPD's Facebook page daily for information. |
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