In June, Larimer County hosted the first annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day at The Ranch fairgrounds with over 160 professionals in attendance. County Human Services Director Laura Walker welcomed the guests followed by County Commissioner Steve Johnson’s comments, and a special recognition award for introducing the state’s recent elder abuse law presented to State Senator John Kefalas by County Program Manager Linda Meyer.
Keynote speaker Paul Greenwood, San Diego’s Deputy District Attorney and head of the Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit for 19 years, gave a stunning presentation on creating an elder abuse unit and provided many examples of elder abuse cases and prosecution successes.
Paul indicated his challenge is “breaking the silence’ with victims because of relatives’ bad deeds, fraud embarrassment, or even threats to their lives. Law enforcement has struggled with many myths with seniors in reporting elder fraud or abuse. Victims rarely call 911 to report abuse or fraud, except when injured. The key is to educate law enforcement and seniors on the risks to elder abuse if not reported.
Paul was also the moderator for a panel of Colorado experts on elder abuse as shown here. Panelists included Lori Metz, County Adult Protection Supervisor; Candace Werth, Jefferson County DA Elder Abuse Unit Prosecutor; Mitch Murray, Larimer County Prosecutor; Anne Meier, Colorado State Long Term Ombudsman; and Mary Catherine Rabbit, esq., Legal Assistance Developer for Disability Law Colorado.
Paul asked three questions on elder abuse and asked each panelist to respond from their job and point of view. The first question involved reporting elder abuse. Most panelists agreed calling 911 right away and reporting the elder abuse, no matter who the criminal is. One panelist indicated after the July 2014 Colorado Elder Abuse Law went into effect, $56 million in elder abuse has been reported in Colorado.
The second question asked about the common barriers to reporting elder abuse. Most panelists agreed refusal by victims on reporting abuse was number one followed by reporting requirements and education, and law enforcement asking victims the right questions.
The last question asked what program is working in preventing elder abuse? Several panelists responded on using professional task groups comprised of financial, law enforcement, and medical personnel meeting monthly to review and prosecute cases. Other panelists promoted education, emphasize reporting abuse, passing more legislation to protect seniors and disabled, and educating nursing homes on elder abuse.
Overall, this first Elder Abuse Awareness Day seminar had lots of beneficial information on the causes and prevention of elder abuse. For more information on elder abuse, please contact the Larimer County Office on Aging at 970.498.7750 or visit their website at www.lcoa.networkofcare.org or the Colorado Coalition for Elder rights and Abuse Prevention at www.ccerap.org.
Pictured: (l-r) Mitch Murray, Anne Meier, Mary Catherine Rabbit, Paul Greenwood , Candace Werth, & Lori Metz