Protecting the State's Vulnerable Seniors

The number of older adults that are victims of abuse and exploitation is astonishing. As the director of Michigan’s Department of Human Services it is my goal to improve the lives of senior citizens and protect them from abuse.

Senior abuse is one of the most underreported crimes in the country and has increased rapidly here in Michigan. The DHS adult abuse hotline received more than 1,400 referrals on the topic of financial exploitation in 2008 alone. This includes not only the victims of scam artists, but those who have been exploited by family members as well.

With one in five adults being abused, neglected or exploited, it’s about time we take action to protect our senior citizens. It is our mission here at DHS, and mine as director, to protect the state’s vulnerable seniors.

Last month, a panel of experts held a discussion to educate seniors to help them protect themselves from fraud. The advice provided dozens of seniors from the Grandville Senior Neighborhood Center with advice and answers.

Many people think of abuse only as physical abuse, however there are many situations of financial exploitation taking place. Scams include mailings and phone calls seeking personal information as well as construction companies overcharging for work that doesn’t need to be done. Victims including Meta Bok, a resident of Grandville, Mich. are targeted everyday by scam artists seeking their confidential information.

Bok recently received a letter in the mail stating she had won a large amount of money. The letter asked for her personal information and to not tell anyone about the letter. Bok knowing the signs of fraud realized this was a scam, but unfortunately not everyone is as lucky.
Majority of those that take advantage of vulnerable senior citizens are family members and primary caretakers. These financial exploitations come in many forms such as emptying their savings accounts and using their credit card without permission. Signs to look for are lost checkbooks, disappearing valuables and missing bank cards.

Thank you again to Grandville Senior Neighbors Center for hosting this discussion. It is important to provide valuable information that will help our seniors and their assets.
For more information, please visit the DHS Web site at www.michigan.gov/dhs, and additionally you can view my profile on DHS Web site.