Fighting Back in Defense of The Elderly

The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates that between 1 million and 2 million people age 65 or older have been "abused, exploited or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depend for care or protection."

These disturbing estimates are highlighted by others that are equally unsettling -- approximately one in 14 of those incidents come to the attention of someone who can do something about it.

Instances of elder abuse are likely to increase as Americans age -- unless we as a society can do something about it.

We can help by becoming more aware of the needs of the elderly who live around us. We can hope that all will age with dignity and security, but the reality is that some could become victims of elder abuse.

Elder abuse takes many forms. Some cases include physical or emotional abuse. Others involve financial exploitation.

Visit the National Center on Elder Abuse at www.ncea.aoa.gov to learn more about elder abuse, and about how you can help.

Aging Americans deserve to live their final years without fear, fraud or intimidation.

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