Staff Report
TheStatehouseFile.com
INDIANAPOLIS—Secretary of State Connie Lawson has partnered with other experts in fraud prevention to create IN-CASE, or the Indiana Council Against Senior Exploitation, to protect seniors against those who would exploit them.
IN-CASE began four years ago when the senior medical patrol director of the Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging (IAAAA) began hosting networking groups of government agencies and organizations.
These organizations aimed to serve older adults and educate them or their caregivers on how to prevent numerous types of fraud.
It is estimated that elderly citizens in America lose up to $36.5 billion dollars each year due to financial exploitation, abuse, and scams.
The number of older citizens in America is increasing rapidly, according to the Indiana Business Research Center with the IU Kelley School of Business. Chris Naylor with the Indiana Prosecuting Attorneys Council believes that this creates a “growing marketplace for those who may be looking to take advantage of vulnerable adults.â€
Lawson said she wants to use IN-CASE as an opportunity to improve their efforts by teaming up with others who are equally committed to protecting the senior citizens in Indiana. IN-CASE’s overall goal is to prevent and end senior exploitation and abuse by educating, encouraging, and empowering their citizens.
The Office of the Indiana Secretary of State and IAAAA are partnered with the Indiana FSSA Division of Aging, Office of the Indiana Attorney General, Better Business Bureau Serving Central Indiana, AARP Indiana, Indiana Legal Services, and other state, public, and private organizations.
Upon the creation of IN-CASE, Indiana Governor Eric Holcomb has declared June 9-15 the Indiana Elder Abuse Awareness Week. To learn more about IN-CASE and their teachings, please visit www.IN-CASE.org.
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