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Last week I delivered a presentation at an event hosted by Eskaton Senior Care & Services and the Sacramento Sheriff's Department. This seminar is the second Eskaton event I've spoken at, and I'm proud that I could attend. "Safeguarding Seniors from Financial Exploitation" was held at Arden Fair Mall's food court, and it focused on practical ways that elders and their families can steer clear of scams and protect their future.
Our communities across California and America are facing a major challenge. Elder financial abuse is a clear and present danger to the well-being of seniors, with the US Treasury Department reporting cases at an all-time high, doubling in volume from just five years. Elders are a prime target for con artists, scammers and other predators. Seniors make 70% of bank deposits, and crooks go where the money is. Older Americans are also vulnerable because of diseases like Alzheimer's, which leave them exposed to isolation and manipulation by wrongdoers.
To counter this threat, families need practical tips to spot suspected abuse and options to respond effectively. I'm glad that we were able to provide the audience useful information on stopping financial predators, and I was delighted to share several copies of my book The Wolf at the Door: Undue Influence and Elder Financial Abuse. I'd also like to thank both Eskaton and the Sacramento Sheriff's Department for their efforts to tackle elder financial exploitation.
If you remember one thing, it counts to work together in this fight, whether we're attorneys, law enforcement officers, medical professionals, or just the children of elderly parents. We've come a long way, but we still have quite a ways to go.
