In observance of Tuesday as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser’s administration urged residents to protect the city’s older adults by reporting possible financial fraud or exploitation to the Department of Insurance, Securities and Banking.
Although elder abuse comes in many forms — including physical, financial, emotional, neglect or abandonment —financial abuse is the most common form, Bowser’s office said.
DISB Commissioner Karima Woods said that despite thousands of instances of elder abuse being recorded each year, many others go unreported.
“We want people to report elder abuse of any kind, [and] “to help fight and prevent this problem, DISB provides financial education and fraud prevention for District seniors year-round in all eight wards,” Woods said.
Since October, DISB in coordination with the District’s Elder Abuse Prevention Committee and other local and federal government agencies, has provided financial fraud prevention education at nearly 40 senior-focused events.
Upcoming DISB events of interest to seniors include:
• DISB virtual Flood and Water Damage Forum from 4 p.m. to 5 p.m., June 24.
• DISB virtual presentation on “COVID-19 Scams and Avoiding Coronavirus Fraud” from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m., July 12, 7 at Area Neighborhood Commission 3-4G meeting.
Meanwhile, District seniors are encouraged to attend the “DC Elder Abuse Prevention Committee World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Virtual Forum” from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., June 29. The event will feature presentations and live interaction with representatives from local government agencies and non-profit organizations engaged in supporting District elders.
The forum can be joined via Zoom at iona-org.zoom.us/j/7282929312 (Meeting ID: 728 292 9312). Participants can also join the forum by phone at 301-715-8592.