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Montgomery County marks World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, highlights scams and low reporting rates
Summary
County officials and agency leaders marked World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, announced a June 17 Older Adult Safety Forum, cited recent fraud investigations including more than $6 million in losses statewide, and urged residents to report suspected elder abuse.
Montgomery County officials and agency leaders gathered to mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and to push for increased reporting and prevention of elder abuse, the county said. The event included a reading of a county proclamation and an announcement of a June 17 Older Adult Safety Forum at the Schweinhaut Senior Center in Silver Spring.
The county's opening speaker warned that older residents frequently suffer abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. "More than $6 million of the financial losses resulting from the scam have come from nearly two dozen victims in Maryland and at least 10 of the victims were from Montgomery County," the speaker said, citing recent investigations and arrests announced by Montgomery County Police and the FBI in an international fraud scheme tied to call centers in India.
Dr. Patrice McGee, Chief of Aging and Disability Services for Montgomery County's Integrated Department of Health and Human Services, described Adult Protective Services as "the elder justice and protection arm" of the county and said, "Financial exploitation continues to rise here in Montgomery County. 33% of the investigations conducted by adult protective services are for financial ... exploitation." McGee also highlighted that Councilmember Stewart introduced Bill 16-26, the Financial Exploitation Protection Act, as a timely measure to address the problem.
A prosecutor from the State's Attorney's Office, who described work in the Special Prosecutions Division, reviewed recent convictions and prosecution priorities and noted a steep reporting gap: "Only 4% of the seniors will report abuse," the prosecutor said, listing reasons that include embarrassment, emotional or economic dependence on an abuser, mental-health challenges and lack of awareness of resources.
Dr. Kimberly Johnson, director of the Area Agency on Aging in the county's Department of Health and Human Services, outlined programs and services intended to help older adults remain safe at home and in their communities. Organizers urged residents to attend the free forum on June 17 (virtual options available) and to contact Montgomery County Police at 240-777-3636 if they suspect fraud or abuse.
Event organizers read a proclamation declaring the county's support for WEAAD and reaffirming interagency coordination among HHS, the State's Attorney's Office, the Police Department, Fire and Rescue and other offices. The proclamation text notes demographic trends in Montgomery County — officials said residents 65 and older make up about 18% of the population (roughly 200,000 people) and that residents older than 60 now exceed 20% of the county population, a share projected to go above 25% by 2030 — and it was presented as signed by County Executive Marc Elrich and Council President Natalie Fenley Gonzalez.
The county emphasized that elder-justice work is ongoing: outreach, prosecution, interagency investigations and public education are continuing priorities, and the June 17 Older Adult Safety Forum will focus on prevention, resources and community supports.
