By JAN LARSON McLAUGHLIN
BG Independent News
The pandemic was not kind to senior citizens. In addition to their vulnerability to COVID-19, the numbers of seniors experiencing abuse, neglect or exploitation surged.
In Wood County, those numbers continue to grow. During the first six months of 2020, a total of 123 reports were made to Wood County Adult Protective Services. That has doubled during the first six months of this year to 247 reports.
The biggest increases came in reports of domestic violence, mental health issues, and seniors being scammed financially.
Scammers targeted senior citizens who were isolated from their regular support systems and tend to be more trusting, according to Adult Protective Services Supervisor Shelby Smith and Investigator Maureen Veit.
“We’re seeing a steady stream of at least one case a week,” Veit said.
The scammers contact people on the phone or online, armed with personal information found on social media or Google maps about a person’s family, home, or hobbies.
“They start to develop a relationship,” and promise that by sending money, the senior can get more money in return, Veit said.
“With people being isolated during COVID, it’s someone to talk to on the phone or on the internet,” Smith said.
Banks and loaning institutions are required to report suspected scams on seniors’ accounts.
“By the time Adult Protective Services gets these cases, the damage has already been done,” Veit said, telling of one rural Bowling Green man who lost his home to a scammer.
Other seniors have lost their life savings to people pretending to help them.
“I don’t think people realize the scope of it,” Veit said.
“My goal is to stop the person from communicating with the scammer,” she said. “They’re relentless.”
Many of the scams go unreported by the victims.
“People are ashamed,” Smith said.
Adult Protective Services is also seeing an increase in seniors with financial hardships brought on by COVID.
“Now we’re seeing the aftermath of homelessness and eviction,” Smith said.
Last month, the office helped six elderly people who were homeless.
The agency also saw an increase in spousal abuse and depression during COVID.
“They faced the isolation of not being able to do what they usually did,” with family members or social groups, Smith said.
While other counties reported big decreases in cases during COVID, Wood County cases continued to rise since its investigations were not halted during the pandemic, Smith and Veit explained. And even if investigations aren’t opened, the agency tries to assist.
“We can do outreach even if we’re not opening the case for investigation,” Smith said.
Many cases reported deal with self-neglect – when an elderly person may not have the capacity to live independently in their homes. Adult Protective Services works with seniors to determine if they have the mental capacity to remain home – then connects them with services if they need them.
“If they want to remain in their homes, that’s what we work for,” Veit said.
The goal is never to put seniors in long-term care facilities, Smith and Veit stressed.
“An individual has the right to live the way they want to,” Smith said. “An adult can refuse services with us if they have the capacity to make their own decisions.”
The agency can arrange chore and homemaker services for seniors at their homes.
“We want elders to live on their own and maintain their independence as long as possible,” Smith said.
Concerns about elder abuse, neglect or exploitation can be reported to Wood County Adult Protective Services at 419-354-9669.
