Dr. Sherry McCoy PhD

is a freelance writer & actor for the Stop Senior Scams Acting Program (SSSAP) in Los Angeles.  Follow SSSAP on Facebook .  For more info re: SSSAP, contact Adrienne Omansky at SSSAP4U@gmail.com.  Questions for the writer should be directed to “Dear Sherry” at Not Born Yesterday! P.O. Box 722, Brea, CA 92822 or nbynews@juno.com.

“Prevention of Senior Abuse & Neglect”

Dr. Sherry McCoy, PhD – Stop Senior Scams Acting Program

Can you believe it’s July 2018?  Half the year is gone already.  Time marches on, and so do the scammers!  Regardless of where you live – whether you live in the USA, in Canada, or abroad — scammers are working hard to separate us from our hard-earned cash and savings.  It’s important to learn from our neighbors and be mindful of the scams that are being perpetrated against seniors worldwide.  Here are some questions — taken from a Quiz created by our neighbors in Canada at Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick (PLEIS-NB) — to help us determine just how savvy we are when it comes to preventing senior abuse and neglect.  Take the Quiz and share with your friends and family!  We all grow when we work together, building bridges between senior communities around the world.

PREVENTION OF SENIOR ABUSE & NEGLECT — QUIZ

• People who abuse seniors are mostly strangers¹ TRUE  or  FALSE

• Over-medicating is a form of abuse¹ TRUE  or  FALSE

• Financial abuse is the misuse of a senior’s money or property without their full knowledge and consent.  When financial abuse happens, a senior is at increased risk for other forms of abuse.¹ TRUE  or  FALSE

• Neglect can be self-inflicted.¹ TRUE  or  FALSE

• Most seniors experiencing abuse or neglect are quick to report it to authorities. ¹ TRUE  or  FALSE

• It is not a good idea to meddle in people’s affairs.  If a senior wanted help, he or she would ask for it or go to a professional.¹ TRUE  or  FALSE

QUIZ – ANSWER KEY

• Answer = False Studies show that seniors are most likely to be abused by someone they know and trust – a spouse, family member, friend or acquaintance.¹
• Answer = True Over-medication is a form of abuse called “chemical abuse.”¹
• Answer = True Financial abuse is one of the most common forms of senior abuse (e.g., theft of money, pension [checks] or property, misuse of a power of attorney).  Financial abuse increases the risk for other forms of abuse.¹
• Answer = True Self-neglect happens when a senior refuses, delays or is unable to arrange for his or her own care and attention.
• Answer = False Many abused or neglected seniors do not tell others or report it.
• Answer = False Though police and adult protection can often help, in many cases it takes the support of friends and family to support a senior and end the abuse.  Everyone can be part of the solution.

¹ Preventing Abuse and Neglect of Seniors Quiz, Public Legal Education and Information Service of New Brunswick, www.legal-info-legale.nb.ca

If you feel you have been the target or victim of a scam, report it to the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357 or https://www.ftccomplaintassistant.gov/#crnt&panel1-1.  And then — Pass It On!  If you have questions about Medicare fraud / abuse, or believe you have been the victim of Medicare fraud contact the Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP*) at 1-855-613-7080.  Contact the Los Angeles County District Attorney’s office online at http://da.lacounty.gov// or phone (213) 974-3512.

Remember:  You may be a target, but you don’t have to be a victim!

*Dr. Sherry McCoy, PhD, is a freelance writer & actor for the Stop Senior Scams ℠ Acting Program (SSSAP) in Los Angeles.  We are looking for seniors to participate in our SSSAP volunteer touring company, which was recently recognized by the U.S. Senate Committee on Aging.  For more information, please contact Adrienne Omansky at SSSAP4U@gmail.com.  Follow SSSAP on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SSSAP2016/?fref=ts.  Questions for the writer should be directed to “Dear Sherry” at Not Born Yesterday! P.O. Box 722, Brea, CA 92822 or nbynews@juno.com.