New York is taking actions against abusers who target the elderly.
Abuse of any kind is scary and infuriating.
Anyone can become a victim.
However, some people are more likely to be targeted than others.
Senior citizens are one of these vulnerable populations.
According to a recent longisland.com article titled “Governor Cuomo Announces $8.4 Million To Combat Elder Abuse And Financial Exploitation Statewide,” New York is taking action against those who victimize the elderly.
How?
The New York Office of Victim Services and the state Office for the Aging developed the Elder Abuse Interventions and Enhances Multidisciplinary Teams Initiative.
What will it do?
It will fund 23 teams already in existence.
It will also create new teams.
The goal is to have these teams active in each county by 2020.
Each year for the next three years, the Office of Victim Service will provide $2 million of federal funding.
The Office for the Aging will contribute $500,000 in state funding each year.
This money will be used to fund the initiative.
The teams will be staffed by individuals who specialize in different aspects of abuse.
They will help individuals age 60 or older.
Why is this important?
From 2015 to 2017, elderly victims filed more than 4,000 approved claims for assistance.
These are only those approved by the Office of Victim Services.
Many others go unreported.
With the new initiatives, the state will be more proactive in serving its senior citizens.
Kudos to the Empire State.
Remember: “An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.” When making your financial, tax and estate plans, do not go it alone. Be sure to engage competent professional counsel.
Reference: longisland.com (August 1, 2018) “Governor Cuomo Announces $8.4 Million To Combat Elder Abuse And Financial Exploitation Statewide”
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