South Messenger - November 14th, 2021
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
www.columbusmessenger.com<br />
Be aware of financial exploitation<br />
What is financial exploitation and do you<br />
know the signs? The Franklin County Office<br />
on Aging launched an educational and preventative<br />
campaign on financial exploitation<br />
among older adults.<br />
Financial exploitation is a form of elder<br />
abuse that is not uncommon. It is so common<br />
the National Conference of State Legislatures<br />
revealed “the number of bills introduced by<br />
state legislators to combat elder financial<br />
exploitation increased by more than 57 percent<br />
in three years.”<br />
Franklin County residents are not immune<br />
to elder abuse, and as the population of older<br />
adults increases, financial exploitation<br />
increases. In 2020, there were 1,560 cases<br />
investigated by the Franklin County Office on<br />
Aging’s Adult Protective Services, with almost<br />
40 percent of these cases involving some form<br />
of exploitation of the older adult, accompanied<br />
by emotional and verbal abuse and neglect.<br />
Financial exploitation is most often associated<br />
with the stealing of cash or an individual<br />
persuading another to give money to a false<br />
cause, however, there is so much more.<br />
According to the United States Department of<br />
Justice, “Financial exploitation means the illegal<br />
or improper use, control over, or withholding<br />
of the property, income, resources, or trust<br />
funds of the elderly person or the vulnerable<br />
adult by any person or entity for any person's<br />
or entity's profit or advantage other than for<br />
the elder person or the vulnerable adult's profit<br />
or advantage.” So, while financial exploitation<br />
can take on many different forms, the<br />
deception can also happen by anyone.<br />
Often abuse, including financial exploitation,<br />
is underreported due to the feelings of embarrassment<br />
and fear. The National Adult<br />
Protective Services Association found that “only<br />
one in 44 cases of financial abuse is ever reported.”<br />
It is the responsibility of mandated<br />
reporters, family, friends, caregivers, and any<br />
other person that interacts with an older adult,<br />
to remain alert for the signs of financial exploitation.<br />
Signs include but are not limited to: A person<br />
becomes suddenly interested in an older<br />
adult or the older adult’s finances; Decreased<br />
contact between the older adult and their<br />
family and friends; Hesitancy to sharing<br />
information with family or friends; Missing<br />
funds from an older adult’s bank account or<br />
missing funds or valuable items from around<br />
the home; Unexplained transactions, transfers,<br />
or gifts given by the older adult.<br />
Although knowing the warning signs can<br />
be extremely helpful in ending ongoing financial<br />
exploitation, there are some preventative<br />
measures that older adults can take to not fall<br />
victim to this form of abuse. The American<br />
Bankers Association suggests older adults<br />
“Shred receipts, bank statements and unused<br />
credit card offers, never give out personal<br />
information, including social security number,<br />
account number, or financial information<br />
to anyone over the phone, order copies of your<br />
credit report once a year to ensure accuracy,<br />
and build a relationship with the people who<br />
handle your finances.” These small steps can<br />
potentially save an older adult thousands of<br />
dollars, their homes, savings, and heartache.<br />
If you suspect someone is being financially<br />
exploited, please call the Franklin County<br />
Office on Aging’s Adult Protective Services at<br />
614-525-4348. All calls to Adult Protective<br />
Services are confidential.<br />
Active Lifestyles<br />
<strong>November</strong> 14, <strong>2021</strong> - MESSENGER - PAGE 5<br />
• Planning Ahead Guide<br />
• Designing Your Funeral<br />
• Funeral & Burial Services<br />
• “Cremation With Confidence Guarantee”<br />
www.spencefuneralhome.com<br />
614-837-7126<br />
650 West Waterloo St.<br />
Canal Winchester, OH 43110<br />
614-837-7126<br />
550 Hill Road N..<br />
Pickerington, OH 43147<br />
Grove City Chamber<br />
Member<br />
Are you or a loved one approaching<br />
Medicare Decisions<br />
Soon?<br />
Call me t <br />
Consultatio on $0 Fee<br />
Terri<br />
Curcio 614-460-0601<br />
Sam<br />
me cost,<br />
pric<br />
cing for<br />
polic<br />
cies using my<br />
help!<br />
Local licensed representative, I can mail you carrier(s) information to review before you<br />
make any<br />
decisions. Can enroll<br />
a client without<br />
a face-to-face meeting or schedule a<br />
personal meeting if you prefer.<br />
Do<br />
phone sales re p, sometimes you need<br />
answers<br />
throughout the year!<br />
OHIO IN. #43449<br />
Offering plans available in Central<br />
Ohio, with top-rated carriers. I<br />
will work for you to<br />
find<br />
the plan that fits your needs and lifestyle.<br />
Or over 65 and still working<br />
AEP for 2022 starts October 15 th though Dec 7 th<br />
Schedule your appointment today for AEP!
Change language