Our Elders Are Suffering in silence
By Karol Markosky
HIV/AIDS Education Coordinator
Council of Senior Centers and Services of New York City, Inc
Seeing the pain in someone’s eyes as they talk about atrocities they suffered and committed often by someone they love – especially by a son or daughter – has been the hardest thing about filming video stories for the Elder Justice Now campaign.
Working on this campaign, while tearful at times, has opened my eyes even more in to the rich lives of our seniors. I have been moved by the women and the men that I interviewed and by all of the stories of abuse that usually go unheard.
The most surprising thing has been the strength and power of the elders who had experienced the pain caused by abuse. However, many were ready to speak out against elder abuse and they did!
America’s seniors are often cast aside by a society that values youth and disdains aging. The people we interviewed for this campaign were NOT your stereotypical “elderly” who are often characterzed as weak and feeble. Their strength astounds me.
In New York, we were able to film at a few local senior centers. We had a blast! They not only welcomed us with open arms and talked to us about their experiences, they also let us film them having fun. We saw seniors who were belly dancing. Others were ballroom dancing, playing card games and working on the computer. We had lunch with one of the first female cardiologists. We had an afternoon snack at an Alzheimer’s support group. We were serenaded by a gentleman who wanted to share songs from his past and engaged in stimulating conversation.
I feel blessed everyday to work with seniors that have shaped this world and paved the way for me to do what I do today. Because of this, I feel truly impassioned to help in the fight for the Elder Justice Act.
Why does everyone want to admit that Financial Exploitation is the Crime of the 21st Century yet not dare to mention one of the most horrific forms of this abuse and that is what is happening to seniors and dependent adults in Guardianships.
All over America elderly citizens and dependent adults with assets are forced into involunary guardianships where they lose all their rights and another person (usually a professional guardian) is appointed to control their lives and their assets essentially becoming the alter ego of the supposedly incapacitated adult.
Once these vulnerable citizens estates become exposed to the elements of corruption (as the ward has not say in what is done with their money) greedy professionals line up to line their pockets as the fleecing of the estate commences.
There are hundreds of cases that illustrate that outrageous needless litigation and guardianship fees are racked up at allarming rates and the Probate judges are for the most part rubber stamping the petitions for fees to be paid from the incapacitated persons estate.
This opportunity to get rich off of lucrative guardianships and conservatorships is too tempting and the theft of these estates occurs with impunity.
We believe this is outright financial exploitation. A reputable Study done in early 2008 found that the highest percentage of funds exploited from the elderly in their study was done by professionals.
Many vulnerable citizens are not only robbed of their estates and their heirs robbed of their inheiritance but they are also neglected and put into to abusive situations. They are often forced from their homes and put into living conditions they would never choose so their homes can be sold. Their families are ripped apart and those who complain about a guardian’s treatment of their loved one are separated from them and refused the right to even visit them.
It is time to address this horrific silent crime that is the ultimate disgrace.
Please take a stand again this crime.
Read the hundreds of comments on our petition site at http://www.stopelderabuse.net and sign our petition for real Meaningful Change !
Elder Abuse Victims Advocates
Houston, Texas
http://hubpages.com/hub/Cut-Medicare-Funding-Fraud-Begins-In-Nursing-Homes – this is the true story of how politics plays a role in elder abuse and neglect in nursing homes
You cannot paint ALL guardianship as evil. In fact, most protect those you are unable to make safe decisions for themselves. If you live in an area with a Statutory Probate Court they are required to monitor guardianship for quality of care – guardians are required to file an annual report of the person and a financial annual report that is checked by the court auditor for proper spending of the client’s money. It is true that there is exploitation – that is true for all areas and subjects – and laws should be tightened to ensure that vulnerable adults are protected. We have a dedicated prosecutor who specializes in financial abuse of the elderly. You seem to be sensationalizing this problem. Some family should NEVER be able to have contact with those they have abused – you use a lot of words to draw an emotional response but I doubt you know all the facts.