$2.6 Billion a Year and Growing
A 2009 study estimated that elderly victims lose $2.6 billion a year to fraud and abuse. Another study estimated 14 percent of older adults have been neglected, abused or exploited. 3/16/11 “Broken Trust”NY Times
Celebrity famous, faceless, rich and even the homeless have been victimized by elder abusers.
THE FAMOUS
90 year old veteran actor Mickey Rooney was abused by a stepson who stole his retirement savings, blocked access to his mail and denied him food and medicine. Rooney said he suffered in silence for years because “I couldn’t muster the courage to seek the help I knew I needed.” Hoping that going public would encourage other seniors to seek help, Rooney testified before the Senate Special Committe on Aging . ROONEY VIDEO at YouTube.CBS