SARASOTA – Lutheran Services Florida’s Sarasota Guardianship Program is looking for volunteers to assist law enforcement, the State Attorney’s Office, LSF and others in the community in analyzing cases of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Volunteers are needed with expertise in finance (forensic accountants, securities advisors, financial planners and bankers), insurance (agents), estate planning (attorneys and advisors), or medicine (doctors, nurses and physicians’ assistants).

Veteran actor Mickey Rooney testified this year before the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging and told them he was a victim of elder abuse. He described it this way: “My money was taken and misused.” “You can’t believe that it’s happening to you.” “You feel overwhelmed.” “I was literally left powerless.”

Here are some statistics from the Florida Department of Elder Affairs and the Florida Office of Economic and Demographic Research:

•  More than 3.9 million Floridians are over the age of 60.

•  Nearly 39 percent of the population in Sarasota County is over 60.

•  More than 14 percent of those over 60 in Sarasota County are living below the poverty level.

•  More than 16 percent of those in Sarasota County age 65 and older suffer from Alzheimer’s disease or some other form of dementia.

•  More than 10,000 Baby Boomers reach the age of 65 each day.

According to “Elder Justice,” a report released this year by the U.S. Government Accountability Office, 14.1 percent of non-institutionalized older adults experienced physical, psychological or sexual abuse, neglect or financial exploitation in 2009.

The report cautions that this number may be lower than the actual figure, as many cases of elder abuse go unreported.

For information on how you can volunteer to help protect the elderly from abuse, contact LSF’s Sarasota Guardianship Director Anne Ridings at 941-358-6330 or aridings@lsfnet.org.

LSF GUARDIANSHIP SERVICES

Guardians are appointed by the courts to act on behalf of those who cannot handle their own affairs because of physical injuries, mental illness, developmental disabilities, Alzheimer’s disease or other age-related dementia. Nearly 70 percent of those under LSF Guardianship are indigent.

A GUARDIANSHIP STORY

Frank and Mary Ann were in their late 70s and had been married for more than 50 years. While living in an independent retirement community, Frank was diagnosed with brain cancer and Mary Ann was diagnosed with dementia. The couple hired a home health care agency to assist with Frank’s daily care and to provide support and assistance to Mary Ann.

Over time, Mary Ann’s dementia worsened and Frank was confined to bed in the final stages of brain cancer. Hospice was called in to provide services. The home health agency continued to provide care.

With Frank unable to communicate and Mary Ann’s dementia worsening, one of the home health caregivers and her mother began living in the home and writing checks to themselves for “expenses.” In a nine-month period the two cashed checks totaling more than $100,000 from the couple’s account. The day before Frank died, three $20,000 checks were written to the caregivers. The day he died, two checks were written to the mother and daughter for $30,000 each.

The couple’s financial planner noticed the activity and became suspicious. He contacted authorities. Following an investigation, LSF was appointed as Mary Ann’s guardian. The mother and daughter were arrested. Mary Ann was able to recover a large portion of her money. She is now in an assisted living facility, receiving the care she needs to live out the remaining years of her life with dignity.

ABOUT LUTHERAN SERVICES FLORIDA

LSF is a statewide, nonprofit human services agency dedicated to helping all people in need regardless of religious affiliation, age or national origin. Headquartered in Tampa, the agency has more than 60 programs located throughout Florida. Areas of service include Refugees and Immigrants; Children, Youth and Families; Elderly/Guardianship/Adult Services; Homeless/Housing; and Disaster Response. Since it was established in 1982, LSF has helped more than 850,000 children and families. LSF’s mission is to bring healing, hope and help to people in need in the name of Jesus Christ.