By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
After a lifetime of hard work, many older adults find their golden years tarnished by abuse, neglect or exploitation.
“Too many of our elderly citizens are having their rest and enjoyment of their families disrupted or destroyed by abuse,” said Wood County Prosecuting Attorney Paul Dobson.
On Wednesday morning, Dobson was joined by Bowling Green and Wood County officials, plus local senior citizens to recognize Elder Abuse Awareness Month and to celebrate Flag Day at the senior center in Bowling Green.
In Wood County there were 310 reports of elder abuse, neglect, self-neglect, and exploitation in 2022, compared to 318 reports in 2021, and 251 reports in 2020, according to stats from Wood County Adult Protective Services, part of Job and Family Services.
“Abuse can be financial, physical, emotional,” Dobson said. “Horrifyingly, my office and I myself have even prosecuted cases of sexual abuse against the elderly.”
“Most cases of abuse are perpetrated by someone the victim knows. Oftentimes, a family member or supposed friend will gain an elder’s trust and then abuse that trust,” Dobson said.
“Many of our elderly citizens who are being abused will hesitate to say anything. Many will feel loyalty to the child or grandchild who is engaging in abuse,” he said. “Many will feel helpless or ashamed that they are ‘letting this happen to them.’ We need to help them.”
As for finances, “caring eyes” are needed on bank accounts.
“If someone has responsibility for an elderly family member’s bank account, they should be willing to demonstrate how that account is being used,” Dobson said. “If they are hostile to such accountability, there may be a problem there.”
For physical well being, the best way to see a problem is by being there.
“Show up. Sit them down, talk to them, look at their arms and legs. Look for bruising,” he said.
Shelby Smith, protective services supervisor with Wood County Job and Family Services, talked about other possible signs of abuse or neglect.
Some indicators include an older adult appearing fearful, anxious, or isolated. There may be physical injuries, or it may appear that the person is neglecting his or her personal care. Other indicators might include missing possessions, financial transactions that are out of the ordinary, or sudden changes to a will or property title, Smith said.
“We need to bring cases of elder abuse out into the light,” Dobson said. “It’s not a family issue. It’s a crime.”
The Wood County Department of Job and Family Services employs adult protective services workers, who investigate every report of elder abuse or neglect. The county prosecutor’s office has an investigator assigned to assist with child abuse and elder abuse cases.
“All of this still only works with the cooperation of a vigilant, responsive and dedicated community,” Dobson said.
Smith said it could be as simple as checking in on an elderly neighbor.
“You might be the only contact that notices any changes in the senior, so by checking in you could make a huge difference – life changing impact,” she said.
In 2021, the Ohio Department of Aging reported that elder abuse, neglect and exploitation is widespread and under-reported, Dobson said.
“Nationally, an estimated one in eight older adults suffers from elder abuse,” Dobson said. “Given that rate, U.S. Census data suggests that more than 200,000 Ohioans age 60 and older experience some form of elder abuse. Yet Ohio’s county departments of Job and Family Services received just 34,000 calls in 2020. That suggests that tens of thousands of instances of elder abuse went unreported.”
But that could be changing. In 2021, the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services saw a 12% increase in exploitation reports and an 8% increase in abuse and neglect reports.
“These numbers, I believe, don’t show an increase in these crimes, but an increase in awareness that led to an increase in reporting,” Dobson said.
Reports of elder abuse are expected to continue to rise as the population of those 60 years of age and older continues to grow, Smith said.
Now that banks are required to report suspected financial exploitation of seniors, those reports have spiked.
“Every other day we are getting reports of scams,” said Maureen Veit, an investigator for 27 years with Wood County Adult Protective Services.
In one case, a local woman in her 70s was scammed out of $82,000, Veit said.
David Wirt, district director in Congressman Bob Latta’s office in Bowling Green, said the office is hearing from constituents about cases of financial abuse.
“It’s very real,” Wirt said. “If you hear something, say something.”
Bowling Green Mayor Mike Aspacher asked that local residents recognize both Flag Day and Elder Abuse Awareness Month. With senior citizens, city and county officials, and police and fire personnel attending, the group recited the Pledge of Allegiance and recognized the vulnerability of those suffering from elder abuse and neglect.
Wood County commissioners Craig LaHote, Doris Herringshaw and Ted Bowlus also spoke, with LaHote saying he hopes to someday not have to hold elder abuse awareness events.
“Many people don’t take it seriously,” Herringshaw said. She urged people to contact Adult Protective Services or the Wood County Committee on Aging, “if you see something or hear something that doesn’t seem right.”
And Bowlus mentioned the grim reality that the numbers of reported cases just scratch the surface. “You could probably double the number of cases that aren’t reported.”
“There’s not a lot of funding for Adult Protective Services,” Veit said. But Wood County has invested in the program and has three full-time inspectors, she said.
“We are there trying to help our elders,” Veit said. “We try to be as proactive as possible.”
Anyone wanting to report elder abuse, neglect or exploitation should call Wood County Adult Protective Services at 419-354-9669.
