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Elder abuse hotline unveiled

Herald News - 6/2/2018

NEW BEDFORD - The elderly in Bristol County have been robbed of their savings by family members and caretakers. Sons and granddaughters have taken their older relatives' Social Security checks and used that money to enrich themselves.

"It's reprehensible that our elders are financially abused," Bristol County District Attorney Tom Quinn said Friday during a press conference at Coastline Elderly Services in New Bedford to highlight the statewide senior abuse hotline.

The 24/7 hotline (1-800-922-2275), administered by the state Executive Office of Elder Affairs, will soon be plastered on the back of public transportation buses in Bristol County, along with Quinn's picture and a "Protecting Our Seniors" tagline. Quinn said he has prioritized prosecuting elder abuse cases since becoming district attorney in 2015.

"This is an important issue as people are living longer, there are increased opportunities for people and relatives to take advantage of them," Quinn said.

In Fall River District Court, there are currently 10 pending cases where elderly victims were scammed or had money allegedly taken from them, said Assistant District Attorney Michael Scott, who is one of two prosecutors assigned to investigate elder fraud cases for the district attorney's office.

Scott said the elderly victims often provide their banking information, personal checks, debit cards and credit cards to relatives and caretakers to buy groceries for them and pay their bills.

"As banking becomes more convenient for the everyday citizen, stealing from people also unfortunately becomes convenient," Scott said.

Ann McCrillis, the area agency on aging planner for Coastline, credited Quinn for tackling the elder abuse issue. She said Coastline has been working with the district attorney's office to prosecute people who prey on the elderly.

Most elder financial abuse referrals - about 90 percent - do not end up as criminal investigations. In those cases, advocates from Coastline in New Bedford and Bristol Elder Services in Fall River work with the elderly and their families to protect the elderly's interests.

Friday's press conference was also called to draw attention to a forum on June 15 - World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - on elder issues that will be held at White's of Westport. The forum, which will be presented by the Bristol County District Attorney's Office and Coastline Elderly Services, will feature presentations on reporting elder abuse, health and wellness for seniors and dementia care in Massachusetts.

For more information, call 508-961-1973 or email Eric.M.Poulin@state.ma.us.

Email Brian Fraga at bfraga@heraldnews.com.