Harris County, Houston Raises Awareness of Elder Abuse and Disabled Adults – Houston Public Media

Harris County and the City of Houston are raising awareness this Saturday about the abuse of seniors and adults with disabilities.

City Hall will be lit up in purple this weekend to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Elder abuse can occur through financial exploitation or isolation.

Harris County Deputy Luz Blanco said exploitation is the most underreported crime. She said 70% of these cases never reach adult protective services.

“They are ashamed to say: ‘It’s my own family.’ Or they are afraid of losing the person who takes care of them,” she said.

According to the Harris County Boarding Home Enforcement Unit, 170 illegal boarding schools have been closed since 2021, when the initiative was created. These establishments generally provide accommodation and personal care services to three or more people with disabilities or those over the age of 65.

Joel Levine is executive director of Harris County Resources for Children and Adults. He said community members should pay attention to any signs of abuse.

“Be aware of unusual purchases or unusual activity on their bank accounts. Pay attention to changes in their appearance, mood or living conditions,” Levine said.

According to the US Census Bureau, 10,000 people turn 65 every day. It is estimated that there will be more people over 65 in the United States than under 18 by 2034.

Harris County Prosecutor Christian Menefee added that social media adds another layer of potential exploitation. He said those who are more savvy about the Internet and social media can be a resource.

“We need to appeal to these people to make sure we protect them,” he said. “…Our office works hard to ensure that consumers of all ages are protected in Harris County and that if anyone in our community is scammed, we are there, on the front lines, to fight back to make sure that these companies, that these crooks are brought to their downfall.

Harris County Commissioner Adrian Garcia was one of several officials at a news conference Friday who signed a pledge to commit to protecting seniors. He said that in his own family, he feels they have a strong bond.

“My mother is a hundred years old. Our family is so lucky that my sister, her family and her brother-in-law have taken care of my mother for years since we lost our father. But many families, many people don’t have that kind of support,” he said. “So we have to fill this void and be the ones to take care of our elderly. »