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The state’s task force is comprised of law enforcement, and elder care groups and they have created a dedicated phone number that can be contacted to report incidents of elder financial abuse. The task force hopes to change current legislation and force nonmedical home healthcare workers to undergo background checks, an action that, to date has not been utilized. The state’s Attorney General believes this could possibly put a stop to many people that attempt to victimize the elderly.

The task force against elder financial abuse was originally created in March. If they are successful in initiating the legislation that would make it necessary for nonmedical personnel to undergo a background check, it could put a stop to perpetrators that have an extensive history of elder abuse. However, there is also the question of perpetrators who have committed elder abuse against several people but have not had any of their crimes reported. If this is the case, their criminal history could be clear and they could be given a job at an elder care facility where they could steal from more victims.

The only way this legislation would put a dent in the number of cases of elder financial abuse is if those crimes are reported as soon as they occur. Nobody should be fearful of reporting any sort of crime committed against them. Without those reports, the victims will never receive justice and they will never get the compensation they deserve to have. This legislation is a giant step in the right direction but it would also require the assistance of the public to report the crimes in order for it to be fully effective.
 

Establishing a taskforce here in Arizona is an excellent way to combat the problem of elder abuse that continues to spread throughout the United States. According to statistics from Elder Abuse Daily, roughly 77% of cases involve exploitation against an elderly person while neglect and elder abuse equate to 18% and 20% respectively. Maricopa County alone sees roughly 66,587 reported and unreported cases each year according to EADaily.com.

If this taskforce takes effect successfully, these numbers could potentially be reduced over several years as more and more cases of elder abuse and neglect are either prevented or prosecuted in Arizona. If more of these task forces are incorporated into other states across the nation, this reduction in cases could spread throughout the United States and slowly start to minimize the problem of elder abuse across the nation. If you or anybody you know has been victimized by elder abuse or neglect, you should contact somebody who can get you compensation for damages.
 

The training is a grant funded effort by the nonprofit organization in order to provide information on the warning signs of elder abuse and to provide general information including statistics about elder abuse. The current training sessions are provided to the western areas of North Carolina.

Creating programs such as this one is an excellent idea to make the public aware of the things that go on regarding elder abuse. It is a problem that affects thousands of victims and there is many forms, which in many ways, makes it harder to pinpoint and prevent. However, with these types of programs set in place, the public will become more aware of the warning signs of elder abuse and be able to prevent their loved ones or even somebody they may know from becoming a victim of elder abuse. This information could also be useful for nonprofit to establish programs such as this one in the state of Arizona.