GRAHAM — The number of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation cases in Alamance County has doubled in five years.
In 2008, Alamance County Adult Protective Services responded to about 175 cases where residents over 60 were left without care, physically abused or taken advantage of financially.
By June 30, 2012, the annual case number rose to 353 reports. As of May 31 this year, adult protective services had investigated 388 reports of adults being mistreated.
“Ten years ago, we had maybe 30 cases,” said Lori Lafferty, Adult Services supervisor with the Alamance County Department of Social Services. “(Financial) exploitation we see more than physical abuse. But negligence is still our biggest problem.”
The goal of the Alamance County Elder Citizen Protection Initiative is to raise awareness about elder abuse and to increase reporting and investigation into crimes perpetrated on seniors. The Alamance County District Attorney’s Office launched the program Friday in conjunction with law enforcement agencies, DSS and the Family Justice Center.
Alamance County District Attorney Pat Nadolski said the initiative came after years of rising statistics locally, statewide and nationally that showed that seniors are being preyed upon at increasing levels but that most of those cases go unreported. Statewide, it’s believed that one in five seniors are abused.
As part of the initiative, members of the district attorney’s office will speak to groups about elder abuse and prevention.
“We must do more to protect our elders,” Nadolski said. “Protecting our seniors is a moral and legal duty we all share.”
The first challenge is recognizing abuse, neglect or exploitation when it occurs, Nadolski said. Abuse can take the form of physical abuse, sexual abuse, domestic violence, psychological abuse, misuse of an older person’s money or resources and neglect.
Elders are particularly vulnerable to abuse and exploitation because they are often dependent on caregivers and might not realize the value of their assets.
Lafferty said misconceptions around elder abuse prevent it being reported more often. Though neglect and abuse occurs in care facilities, it more often occurs at the hands of relatives caring for seniors at home, she said.
Instances of abuse and neglect — or suspected abuse and neglect — should be reported to law enforcement and DSS.
Alamance County Assistant District Attorney Lori Wickline and Tara Collins, a victim witness assistant with the office, spearheaded the initiative. They worked together to prosecute Michael Massengill of Burlington, who conned nearly $150,000 from Betty Phillips between 2001 and 2009.
Massengill befriended Phillips, who was a widow and lived alone, doing odd jobs around her home. He took thousands of dollars in checks from her and even convinced Phillips to take out a $53,000 home equity loan to support him. Phillips’ daughters suspected Massengill was exploiting their mother but couldn’t convince her that he wasn’t a friend. They didn’t realize the depth of the fraud until Phillips was admitted to a long-term care facility.
Wickline said Phillips was ashamed and embarrassed that Massengill had taken advantage of her and didn’t want to ask for help to solve the financial problem. It’s believed Massengill spent the money to pay for drugs and other habits. He was penniless when he was arrested.
Massengill is currently serving a five-year prison sentence, set to expire in December 2014.
Wickline suggested that independent in-home caregivers be screened through criminal background checks. Consumers should also run license checks on those who claim to be registered nurses or physicians, she said.
Wickline also suggested going through a reputable provider when looking for caregivers. Alamance Eldercare and the Department of Social Services can provide names of reputable businesses to contract through.
Relatives and neighbors need to be vigilant about checking on seniors, either visiting or calling them, Lafferty said.
Because the elderly are sometimes lonely, it presents opportunities for con artists and outsiders to try to become close to them and exploit resources, Wickline said.
“They are often very trusting. People take that trust and exploit it to their advantage,” Wickline said.
Nadolski said his office will prosecute the crimes to the extent the law allows but his hope was that the initiative would raise awareness and prevent future abuse cases.
“I want people to talk to their parents and grandparents about this,” Nadolski said. “We want this to be an issue that we are focused on.”