metro >> on the cover Fighting Elder Fraud Suggestions for protecting seniors and their families. Ronelle Grier I Contributing Writer CONTINUED FROM PAGE 1 As the nightmare unfolded, the siblings learned that a member of their parents' synagogue had prepared documents and acquired the necessary signatures to gain power over the Glasners' bank accounts and other assets. "My father had dementia: said Pamela Glasner, Harry's daughter. "He would have signed the Magna Carta" The siblings were further horrified to learn the perpetrator had created and executed a new will, which made him the beneficiary of their parents' home and hun- dreds of thousands of dollars, their entire life savings. The man had been paying regu- lar visits to Harry, posing as his son, and no one at the nursing home had questioned his identity. When Harry's condition worsened and a higher level of care was required, there were no funds to transfer him to a more appro- priate facility. He died a year later. "It's not only about the money," Pamela said. Unfortunately, the Glasners' story is not uncommon; financial exploitation of the elderly has increased by epidemic pro- portions. Exact statistics are hard to find because many of these crimes go unre- ported, but statistics from National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) and other organizations show that one in 20 older adults has suffered some form of perceived financial mistreatment. While much publicity has been given to hoaxes perpetrated by shady home improvement companies, fly-by-night investment "counselors," and Internet or mail scams, few seniors are cautioned about the people in their own inner circles. However, NAPSA reports more than half of financial exploitation crimes against seniors are perpetrated by friends, family members Elder Fraud Resources • Jewish Detroit Seniors: information and referrals, Jewishdetroitseniors.org ; (248) 661-1836 • Michigan Office of Services to the Aging, www.michigan.gov/osa; 1-517-373-8230 12 October 17 • 2013 or other trusted individuals such as caregiv- ers, legal guardians, attorneys and invest- ment advisors. When Pamela Glasner learned that, after a cursory investigation, Florida law enforce- ment officials determined there were no grounds for prosecution, she made it her mission to create awareness and prevent other families from experiencing similar nightmares. The result is a documentary film, Last Will and Embezzlement, written and pro- duced by Glasner and Deborah Louise Robinson and presented by Starjack Entertainment. The film, which also stars actor Mickey Rooney, who testified before Congress about his own financial victimiza- tion by a trusted family member, has been shown to individuals and organizations throughout the country. A screening was held Sept. 30 at the Berman Center for the Performing Arts in West Bloomfield, where Glasner and a panel of local professionals in the field of elder- care discussed the issue and offered sugges- tions for seniors and family members. Preventive Measures Steven Kaplan, West Bloomfield Township Trustee and a former Wayne County pros- ecutor, said many elderly people are not aware when their ability to make sound decisions starts to decline. He advised seniors to take certain protective mea- sures before this hap- pens, such as appointing a power of attorney, to be activated if and when the Steven Kaplan person becomes unable to make his own deci- sions. "Ask a younger person you trust to tell • Area Agency on Aging 1-B, www.aaa1b.com ; 1-800-852-7795 • Alzheimers Association, Greater Michigan Chapter, www.alz.org/gmc; 1-800-272-3900 (24-hour helpline) • Booklet: Changes and Choices: Legal Rights for Senior Adults www.legislature.mi.gov or contact your legislative representative you when you're slipping; he said. "You can't appoint a power of attorney if you have been deemed incompetent, so do it ahead of time He also recommended basic precautions for seniors living on their own, such as veri- fying credentials for anyone who is unfa- miliar before opening the door, installing a burglar alarm, being vigilant in public park- ing lots and keeping items such as Medicare and Social Security cards in a safe place. "Collect your mail frequently [instead of leaving it in the mailbox] and don't give out your Social Security number," he said. "Most criminals are cowards; they want easy targets" Laurel Felsenfeld, professional elder advocate and president of Aging Answers, said an original Medicare card is only required on the first visit to a doctor. She advised copying the card and blacking out some of the numbers to use at subsequent visits. Panelists and eldercare attorneys Kathy Sussman and Monica Moons of Couzens, Lansky, Fealk, Ellis, Roeder & Lazar in Farmington Hills endorsed the idea of cre- ating legal documents and putting them in place before they are needed, and appoint- ing more than one trustee when setting up a trust. Reporting Is Key While there are a number of government agencies and other organizations avail- able to help senior citizens who have been defrauded (see box), many of these crimes and suspicions go unreported for a variety of reasons. Some individuals are embar- rassed about having been victimized, others don't realize what is happening, some are reluctant to complain because they are dependent upon the person who is exploiting them, or they are afraid of • National Center on Elder Abuse U.S. Dept. of Health and Human Services www.ncea.aoa.gov ; 1-855-500-ELDR (3537) Reporting Medicare Fraud To report suspected Medicare fraud or abuse: • HHS Office of Inspector General HHSTips@oig.hhs.gov 1-800-447-8477 Dr. Peter Lichtenberg and filmmaker Pamela Glasner being declared incompetent and sent to a nursing home. "The first thing is to talk about it, bring it out into the open, educate caregivers and family members; involve the whole family and remove the stigma," said Ann Langford, a panelist from the Area Agency for Aging 1-B, which provides services for seniors in six counties, including Oakland County. Banks and other financial institu- tions can help thwart and prevent elder fraud, according to Lynne McCollum of the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging. She said reports of elder abuse have increased 300 percent since banks received federal guidance encouraging them to report these incidents as part of their Suspicious Activity Report (SAR) protocol. "Unfortunately, we all know somebody who's been a victim:' said McCollum, who served as moderator of the pro- Lynne gram. McCollum Risk Assessment The mental and emotional state of an elderly person can play a part in whether he or she becomes a victim of fraud, according to panelist Dr. Peter Lichtenberg, geriat- ric neuropsychologist and director of the Institute of Gerontology at Wayne State University. According to a five-year study he worked on, risk factors include psychologi- cal vulnerability, depression and dissatisfac- tion with one's role in society. Lichtenberg developed an assessment tool that helps determine older adults' vul- • Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services 1-800-633-4227 A reward of up to $1,000 may be available for reporting Medicare fraud if certain conditions are met. Visit www.stopmedicarefraud.gov for more details.