Crackdown on Elder Abuse

As part of the West Virginia Financial Exploitation Task Force, AARP fought successfully in the 2016 legislative session for three new laws that protect older West Virginians from abuse and fraud.

One law prohibits people convicted of crimes against the elderly from performing community service involving the elderly. Another stiffens criminal penalties for those convicted of financial exploitation of the elderly. The third aims to ensure that people with power of attorney do not benefit personally from the actions they take if their actions create a conflict of interest.

The annual cost of financial crimes against the elderly is about $3 billion nationwide, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse.

For a wrap-up of the AARP West Virginia Capitol Advocacy Team’s activities, go to aarp.org/wv.