During June, around the U.S., awareness is placed on Medicare fraud prevention and elder abuse. At TARCOG, Director of Aging Programs Sheila Dessau-Ivey said the observances are an opportunity to expand the conversation to include all types of fraud and scams because it is so prevalent among the aging community.
“These are all very important topics all year long,” Sheila said. “We try to highlight national observances through community and staff education and awareness, but these are issues that we are constantly tracking and working to let our seniors know what to be mindful of when new scams start showing up because unfortunately, it’s an ongoing crime.”
On the front lines to educate and provide tools and tactics to safeguard against becoming a victim is Teresa Hazzard. She is TARCOG’s Senior Medicare Patrol coordinator. Her name may be familiar because she’s also the coordinator of the Alabama State Health Insurance Assistance Program (SHIP) helping clients with Medicare Open Enrollment.
In recent weeks, she’s been upset with herself because for the second year in a row, she’s been targeted by scam artists.
“I teach this, and I know how it works, but let me tell you, when someone is on the phone telling you that they’re calling from the police department and if you don’t do what they say you will be going to jail if you don’t give them money, it rattles you. It did me.”
Teresa has never even had a speeding ticket. She had no idea why she might be in trouble and could not recall anything in her past that might lead to a warrant being issued for her arrest. After talking to the caller, she decided that she would turn herself in.
“I picked up my purse and went to a coworker’s office on my way out the door and told her I was going to turn myself in … I told her the whole story, and she helped calm me down and realize that it was a scam,” Teresa said. “This is embarrassing but it just goes to show how convincing these people can be when they’re trying to con you out of your money.”
Last year, her bank account got raided because of a Netflix offer that turned out to be a scam.
“I’ve wondered if I should be the person doing this job, but look, it really goes to show you how convincing they can be and why it’s important to remain vigilant,” Teresa said. “And never, never give out your personal information over the phone or agree to give someone you don’t know money.”
Sometimes as you get older, you also have to be concerned about giving people you do know money because there are unscrupulous people among us who will take advantage. For older people, it is one form of elder abuse.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is observed on June 15 each year to promote a better understanding of abuse and neglect of older persons by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect.
In addition to special presentations on elder abuse in the community throughout the month, TARCOG staff also participated in a training class for elder abuse awareness. The training was called: Not On Our Watch: Recognizing Abuse, Responding with Action
“At TARCOG, we are here to support our aging population,” Sheila said. “Promoting awareness days for the issues that we all need to be reminded of as we age are among the small ways that we offer assistance.”
For more information contact TARCOG at 256-830-0818.
TARCOG staff participates with their hand prints for a special staff training event for World Elder Abuse Awareness.The training was called: Not On Our Watch: Recognizing Abuse, Responding with Action
TARCOG staff training on elder abuse awareness called: Not On Our Watch: Recognizing Abuse, Responding with Action