May 14, 2012
MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA)

Alabama Department of Senior Services Commissioner Neal Morrison says many of our fragile seniors are being abused and neglected by their own relatives.
"We have a severe problem with elder abuse in the state of Alabama. We're just not talking about physical abuse, we're talking financial abuse," Morrison said.
In March alone, the Alabama Department of Human Resources investigated 324 reported cases of elderly abuse. Of that number, 15 cases were in Montgomery County. Last year there was an average of 328 cases per month.
Commissioner Morrison says his office receives complaints ranging from phone scams to daughters and sons wiping out their parents bank account.
"He would go by and check on them once or twice a week, but he would write himself checks and leaving them without any money and they were going without food," Morrison said.
Morrision says many cases go unreported because seniors are embarrassed.
"It was a daughter taken advantage of her mother, but she was afraid and embarrassed to even complain," Morrison said.
The commissioner says last week, lawmakers passed a bill that will require senior services to work with other agencies to track reports of elderly abuse. It now awaits the governor's signature.
Morrison says Senior Services, DHR and the Attorney General's office created the Elder Justice Alliance Task Force as an avenue for seniors.
"And what we are going to do is going around the state and empower seniors, make them aware of what their rights are and who to turn to if they feel like they are being taken advantage of," Morrison said.
To report elderly abuse or neglect, contact the Alabama Department of Human Resources Adult Protective Services hotline at 1-800-458-7214.
 
Copyright 2012  WSFA 12 News

SOURCE:    WSFA

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