Promoting
independence,
health and dignity of
Promoting the independence,
health andthe
dignity
of adults through
adults
through compassion, education, and advocacy.
compassion, education, and
advocacy.
Summer 2013
The Grandparent Scam
It Could Happen to Someone You Love
In this issue we focus on protecting our seniors.
Ask Our Expert: Recognizing Elder Abuse
His phone rang early in the morning, and George Weidner hurried to answer
it. He smiled when he heard his grandson say, “Grandpa, it’s Jessie. How are
you?” George shared with Jessie that he was doing okay – but worried about
his upcoming chemotherapy treatments for his
advancing cancer. Jessie expressed his concern.
Signs of Elder Abuse
Volunteers Stop a Predator
A Message from our CEO
Create Your Legacy
2013 Life Preservers and Contributors
You’re Invited
Basic Steps to Protect Yourself
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Request a copy of your free credit report.
Call 1-877-322-8228 or visit
www.annualcreditreport.com.
Remove your name from direct mail lists.
Log on to www.dmachoice.org or mail a
request to DMA Mail Preference Service,
P.O. Box 643, Carmel, NY 10512.
Remove your name from telemarketing
lists. From the phone you are registering, call
1-888-382-1222 or visit www.donotcal.gov.
Remove the name of deceased individuals
from mailing lists.
Sign up at www.ims-dm.com/cgi/ddnc.php.
Opt out of pre-approved credit offers.
Log on to: www.optoutprescreen.com or call
1-888-5 OPT OUT.
Remove your email address from internet
or e-mail ads. Log on to www.dmachoice.org.
If using social networking sites, such as
Facebook, read the privacy policy and avoid
posting private information.
Kathleen Weidner with her
dad, George — a victim of
financial abuse.
Then Jessie – in somewhat of a panic – told
Grandpa he needed his help and he needed
it fast. He was in Mexico with friends – and he
was in jail. In a pleading voice, Jessie begged his
Grandpa to not tell his parents. He was due to
appear before a judge in a matter of minutes.
Jessie explained: “Grandpa, you know how things are in Mexico. They told me if I
can get them $2,000 in the next 30 minutes they will let me go. Grandpa, can you
please help me? I am so afraid of what might happen if I don’t get out of here.”
Grandpa’s response was immediate. Of course he would help his grandson. He
told Jessie not to worry.
In the middle of a Nebraska winter with a storm brewing outside, George Weidner
at 87 years old, set out in his golf cart to the nearest Western Union office. He
followed Jessie’s instructions and wired him $2,000. A call quickly came in from a
man with a strong Spanish accent; the transfer had been successful. Jessie would
be freed.
As he slowly climbed back into his golf cart for the ride home, only then did
George Weidner start to question what he had just done. When he got home he
made a few phone calls – Jessie wasn’t in Mexico. Jessie was safe at home.
Unfortunately, George’s money could not be recovered.
This “Grandparent Scam” is real and happening all across the nation to
unsuspecting seniors. This happened to the father of Kathleen Weidner, our
own Ombudsman Program Director. Kathleen had this to say about her Dad’s
experience: “A financial predator took advantage of a good man’s love and
compassion for a family member and they are doing it all the time. If this can
happen to my Dad – a wise and cautious man – it could happen to anyone.”
Preventing Financial Abuse
Last year, the Council’s FAST (Financial Abuse Specialist Team) program
educated over 4,800 members of our community on the important topic of
financial elder abuse prevention. Help us continue our work and share this
information to help someone you love avoid financial scams. For additional
information regarding financial elder abuse prevention, please visit our FAST
Program at www.coaoc.org.
Thank You
I ndependence
A Gift of $25,000 over Five Years
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and David Spear
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and
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and Songia Lee
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Contributors!
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My Loving Parents
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Nancy Weisbrod – In Honor of Mike Tasker
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Thank
You!
A Gift of $3,000 Over Three Years
Alzheimer’s Association – O.C.
Anonymous
Chris Barsness
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Griswold Home Care
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Helen Lynn – In Memory of
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Our Generous 2013 Life Preservers
Annual Donors and
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A dvocacy
Hope
to
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Benefit Equity, Inc.
Betty Bartley – In Memory of
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California United Bank
William and Marietta Darke
Lynn Freer
Linda Hughes – In Memory of
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June Hill and Richard Kramer
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Family Fund
Friends
$100-$499
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Attentive Home Care
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*Contributions listed above were made
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and exceeded $100.
Our sincere apologies if we neglected to
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let us know!
Tricia Homrighausen, Development and
Communications Manager
Ask Our Expert
Recognizing Elder Abuse by Julie Schoen
It’s difficult to take care of an elder who has many different
needs, and it’s not easy to age when aging can bring with it
infirmities and dependence. This stressful time can create a
perfect storm where abuse is more likely to occur.
There are very rewarding and enriching
aspects of caregiving. But the responsibilities
and demands of elder caregiving, which
escalate as the elder’s condition deteriorates,
can also be extremely stressful. The stress of
elder care can lead to mental and physical
health problems that make caregivers feel
burned out. But just as it is never alright to
hit a child in time of frustration, it is never
alright to physically, sexually, emotionally or
financially abuse an older person.
Julie Schoen
Attorney
If you are a caregiver, there are certain risk
factors to be aware of when abuse can occur.
If you are depressed, lack support, begin to resent the older
person, and/or are self-medicating through alcohol or drugs, it is
time to seek help.
As an observer, friend or family member, you might not recognize
or take seriously the signs of elder abuse, such as changes in
behavior or tension between the senior and the caregiver. You
may think these are just symptoms of dementia or signs of
the elderly person’s frailty — or caregivers may explain them
to you that way. In fact, many of the signs and symptoms of
elder abuse do overlap with symptoms of mental deterioration,
but that doesn’t mean you should ignore the signs. Preventing
elder abuse means listening to seniors and their caregivers and
reporting when you suspect elder abuse. The best way to help is
to be involved; call and visit an older person as often as you can
and protect them from isolation and susceptibility to elder abuse.
As a caregiver, be sure to take care of yourself and your needs.
What Can You Do?
If you suspect abuse or neglect or are in need of support,
contact the appropriate agencies.
n Council
on Aging Ombudsman (For seniors residing in long
term care facilities): 1-800-300-6222
n Office
n
on Aging: 1-800-510-2020
Adult Protective Services 24 Hour Hotline: 1-800-451-5155
n Human
Options: 1-877-854-3594
n Law
Enforcement: Your local police department or
OC Sheriff: 1-714-647-7000
n Caregiver
Resource Center: 1-800-543-8312
Julie Schoen, Attorney, is the Legal Counsel for the Council
on Aging Orange County, the State Director of the California
Senior Medicare Patrol and a well-known financial elder abuse
prevention speaker.
Protect Your Loved Ones. Look for These Signs.
Physical abuse
n Unexplained signs of injury such as bruises, welts, or scars, broken bones,
sprains, or dislocations
n Signs of being restrained, such as marks on wrists
n Broken eyeglasses
n Caregiver’s refusal to allow you to see the senior alone
Neglect by caregivers or self-neglect
n Unusual weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration
n Untreated physical problems, such as bed sores
n Unsanitary living conditions: dirt, bugs, soiled bedding and clothes
n Poor hygiene, dirty clothing, infrequent bathing
n Unsuitable clothing or covering for the weather
n Unsafe living conditions (no heat or running water; faulty
electrical wiring, other fire hazards)
Financial exploitation
n Inappropriate withdrawals from the senior’s accounts
n Sudden changes in the senior’s financial condition
n Items or cash missing from the senior’s household
n Suspicious changes in wills, power of attorney, titles, and policies
n Addition of names to the senior’s signature card at the bank
n Unpaid bills or lack of medical care, despite the senior’s ability to pay
Our Volunteers Help Stop a Predator
Honor thy Mother and Father; that is what we are taught. In
reality, this does not happen in some families. Financial elder
abuse is on the rise and sadly the perpetrator is a family
member more often than a stranger.
Such was the case for one of our seniors, Delphene. At 89,
Delphene was enjoying life in a comfortable assisted living
home in San Clemente. She and her husband had planned
carefully – setting aside an adequate retirement income
through their frugal lifestyle.
However, all their careful planning did not include a way to
protect Delphene from her own son. Delphene’s son Peter and
his wife first “helped” his widowed mother by selling her home.
Peter then added his name to his mother’s bank accounts
and quickly began spending her hard-earned savings. Over a
three-year period, it is believed Peter and his wife spent over
$750,000 of his mother’s funds.
A Cry for Help
Delphene knew something was wrong when her assisted living
home told her the rent was not being paid. She turned for help
to Peter who denied any wrongdoing. At this point, Delphene’s
assisted living home contacted the Council on Aging. Our
Ombudsman Program – advocates for residents in assisted
living and nursing homes – was able to intervene.
Through the combined efforts of three dedicated volunteers,
Sharon Anderson, Judy Sobel, and Linda Bock, Delphene
finally found the protection she needed. At Delphene’s request,
Sharon launched an investigation and with Judy’s follow-up the
District Attorney’s office became involved. After three years of
unwavering perseverance, our Ombudsmen were grateful to
see the end result they hoped for. Peter and his by then ex-wife
were charged with grand theft, conspiracy to defraud another of
property, and conspiracy to commit forgery and theft from an elder.
Ombudsmen Stand Up for Client
COA Volunteer Judy Sobel accompanied Delphene to the
initial hearing. Judy stood quietly behind Delphene – holding
COA client Delphene (center) with Volunteer Ombudsmen,
Judy Sobel (L) and Linda Bock (R). Judy and Linda intervened
to help stop a financial predator.
her hand as she gave testimony. At a subsequent hearing,
Delphene was unable to speak for herself due to an illness.
Linda Bock read Delphene’s victim impact statement. Through
Linda’s voice, Delphene’s words were heard by the Court.
Today, Delphene’s son and his ex-wife are each serving 4 years
in a state prison for their crimes and have been ordered to pay
restitution. Ronda Roberts, Victim Advocate and Elder Abuse
Specialist for the Community Services Program, had this to say
about our volunteers:
“In this case, Doug Brannan, now retired Deputy District
Attorney, really appreciated the help of the Ombudsmen.
The case was first reported by an Ombudsman; without Judy
and Linda it would have been very difficult to prosecute. The
Ombudsmen were Delphene’s constants. She didn’t know
anyone else and she trusted them. The Ombudsmen are
always spot on there to help. They know their facilities and
their clients. Their relationships with their seniors make all the
difference in the world. They are awesome!”
Answers and Peace of Mind
Delphene added: “I think their help is great. Whenever I ask a
question, they answer. Because of them, I can sleep at night.”
The Council on Aging needs more volunteers. Will you join us?
Please attend a one-hour Changing Lives Tour to learn more.
Call and reserve your spot at 714-479-0107 ext 239.
What Will Your Legacy Be?
Council on Aging – Orange County
Have you considered how you can impact and bring hope to future generations
of seniors and their families? By including the Council on Aging – Orange County
as a beneficiary in your will, you are leaving a legacy that ensures our community’s
seniors receive protection and assistance at their most vulnerable moments in time.
Our core programs and services include:
Advocacy & Protection
n Medicare Counseling
n Ombudsman
n FAST (Financial Abuse Specialist Team)
Education & Outreach
n Answers Guide OC
n Education
n Smilemakers Guild
Socialization & Wellness
n ReConnect
n Friendly Visitor
Founded 40 years ago, the Council on Aging – Orange County is a relentless and
passionate advocate for seniors and dependent adults. For seniors living in nursing
homes and assisted living homes, we serve as their advocate. For the vulnerable,
we are the voice of protection from financial abuse. As seniors and their families
face challenging aging issues, we are a trusted source of essential information
to help maintain safe, independent living. And, for isolated seniors who are
often without nearby friends and family, we are a friend who ensures a link to
vital resources.
It is easy to include the Council on Aging in your will. For more information, please
contact Tricia Homrighausen at 714-479-0107 ext. 268.
Learn more at www.coaoc.org
We Understand. We Care. We Help.
7th Annual Designer Runway
You’re Invited
Food, Fashion, Designer Competition
Thursday, September 12th, 2013
5:00 PM - 10:00 PM
Cocktails, Wine & Culinary Cuisine
Join us at Designer Runway as teams of designers compete to
create unique fashions in 90 minutes using 7 yards of fabric.
Watch models strut the runway for our celebrity judges. Pre-show,
enjoy a professional fashion show by GRAYSE and stroll under the
night sky to sample delectable food and beverages from 10 premier
OC restaurants. Proceeds from this event will benefit the Council
on Aging-Orange County. Tickets on sale now!
General Admission: $100 ($5 fee for online purchase)
In person: Laguna Design Center, Laguna Niguel
By phone: 949-643-2929
Online: www.lagunadesigncenter.com/events
Council on Aging – Orange County
1971 E. 4th Street, Suite 200
Santa Ana, CA 92705-3917
A non-profit 501(c)(3)corporation
Join the Smilemakers!
10th Annual Fundraising Event
October 12, 2013
Costa Mesa Country Club
5:30 p.m. – 10:00 p.m.
Enjoy world class comedians, cocktails and dinner, Live
and Silent Auctions and much more. Proceeds provide
gifts to seniors who are forgotten during the holidays.
For sponsorship opportunities, contact
[email protected].
714.479.0107
714.479.0234 fax
www.coaoc.org
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