Stronger Protections Needed Against Elder Abuse

It’s estimated that 1 in 10 Americans 65 or older experience elder abuse annually, ranging from financial exploitation to physical abuse or denial of medical care. May is Older Americans Month, and AARP North Carolina is working with agencies and groups to create a stronger elder-protection network. 

AARP is asking lawmakers to adequately fund the state’s Adult Protective Services, including adding more long-term care ombudsmen to monitor the growing number of nursing home and assisted living residents. 

Older adults are also more likely to be targets of fraud. The AARP Fraud Watch Network educates people on how to battle fraud, with nearly a million Americans 50-plus reporting fraud or identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission in 2020. Learn more at aarp.org/nc.