Today, June 15, 2012, is the International Network for Protection of Elder Abuse's (INPEA) 7th Annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. With different events to raise awareness in countries around the world, Littman Krooks has put together useful information to share with your loved ones to help spread awareness and end elder abuse.  

Last year, a study from Metlife was released regarding the increase of exploitation of seniors (through analyzing news articles that referenced financial abuse of the elderly and extrapolating data from findings). Results showed that a majority of the cases involved strangers and "scams," whereas friends and family were also found guilty of exploiting their loved ones but usually through forged checks, stolen credit cards, drained bank accounts and transferred assets. Additionally the study showed that:

• Women (between the ages of 80 and 89) who live alone and require some type of outward assistance are the most targeted victims of financial abuse in the United States 
• Approximately 51% of all instances of financial abuse of the elderly are crimes committed by strangers and 34% come from family, friends and acquaintances 
• Men (between the ages of 30 and 59) accounted for 60% of crimes against the elderly

Click here to read more on the definition of financial elder abuse and indicators of financial elder abuse.  A full podcast from "Peace of Mind with Bernie the Attorney" on "Financial Scams Against the Elderly" is also available to stream or to download from iTunes.