Brought to you by WBIW News and Network Indiana
Last updated on Tuesday, December 11, 2018
(INDIANAPOLIS) - According to STATS Indiana, in 2017, over one million people ages 65 and older called Indiana home. As Hoosiers continue to age, so does the need for statewide elder abuse education and prevention.
Quietly suffering
When Hurricane Irma struck Florida, Hilda* had a decision to make--either stay put or evacuate. Fortunately, Hilda's daughter in Indiana was willing to take her in. But what began as a refuge quickly turned into a cage.
Seniors are often the victims of financial scams. Social Security payments, retirement savings accounts, even a person's Medicare coverage are all tempting targets. Sometimes the perpetrator is a stranger working a con, but often seniors are victims of someone they know: a friend or family member who takes advantage of a position of trust. Unsure where to find help, many cases go unreported.
In Indiana, the Adult Protective Services (APS) Program, administered by the Division of Aging of the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration, was established to investigate, report, and provide intervention and protection to vulnerable adults. APS reports that it received 38,594 calls for service in 2014 and investigated 9,602 cases as a result. APS also reported the number of financial exploitation cases reported in Indiana rose 33 percent over the past decade.
Finding relief
Hilda's daughter took her car keys, credit cards, personal checks, and address book before locking her indoors for two months. Hilda knew no one, and no one knew her; if she didn't figure out a way to get help, she knew that no one would come looking.
Stories like Hilda's are all too familiar. Unsure where to turn, many seniors suffer quietly. In an effort to reach seniors, ILS partners with community organizations across the state who refer citizens in need of legal counsel. Through the Legal Assistance for Victimized Adults Project (LAVA), ILS is able to provide pathways to civil justice. LAVA is available to eligible Indiana residents who are endangered adults or seniors. Through the project, clients are able to receive quality legal representation in civil matters.
Legal representation could include:
Program expansion
As time passed, Hilda was eventually able to sneak out of the home while her daughter was away. Her exploration of the neighborhood eventually led her to a law office where an attorney connected her with ILS.
In August, ILS was awarded $593,563 from the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute for the LAVA program. This funding will allow ILS to hire an additional attorney in southern Indiana to work alongside teams currently located in Indianapolis and South Bend. The grant began in October 2018 and is slated to run through October 2020. Personnel expansion will ensure ILS is able to meet current client demand while continuing to raise awareness and reach disabled and elder citizens in need of services.
*Name has been changed for confidentiality.
About Indiana Legal Services
Indiana Legal Services, Inc., is the largest provider of free civil legal assistance to low-income people in Indiana. We help clients who are faced with legal problems that harm their ability to have such basics as food, shelter, income, medical care, or personal safety. Indiana Legal Services handles cases involving domestic violence, housing, consumer law, access to health care, LGBTQ discrimination, and access to government benefits. It does not handle criminal matters. The nonprofit firm was established in 1966, and today serves clients in all 92 counties. The mission of ILS is "to use the law to fight poverty, empower clients, and improve access to justice." Learn more at www.indianalegalservices.org.
About the Indiana Criminal Justice Institute
The Indiana Criminal Justice Institute is the State planning agency for criminal justice, juvenile justice, traffic safety and victim services. ICJI is responsible for coordinating and collaborating with local, state and federal entities to identify, assess, plan, resource and evaluate new and emerging issues facing the criminal justice and public safety spectrum. In addition, ICJI works with local, state, and federal entities to evaluate programs and develop new methods for the prevention & reduction of crime, victim abuse, and traffic collisions and fatalities.
1340 AM WBIW welcomes comments and suggestions by calling 812.277.1340 during normal business hours or by email at comments@wbiw.com
© Ad-Venture Media, Inc. All Rights Reserved.