Saturday is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and AARP Maryland is observing its annual PROTECT Week to highlight elder financial abuse.

FBI data from 2023 showed more than 100,000 Americans age 60 and older were scammed out of more than $3.4 billion, representing an 11% increase over the year prior. Advocates encouraged seniors to shred financial documents but with so much personal information available online, it may seem unnecessary.

Jennifer Holz, associate state director of outreach for AARP Maryland, said fraudsters are not necessarily dumpster diving.

"So many crimes are committed by loved ones, or by caretakers, or friends and neighbors who you wouldn't necessarily suspect, and who may be entering the home on a regular basis," Holz pointed out. "It's still very important to get rid of those documents because oftentimes you're kind of surprised by the person who ends up committing these crimes."

While many scams are based in email and text messages appearing to originate with financial institutions or government agencies, many fraudsters still use phone calls. The FBI reported tech support scams are on the rise with fraudsters purporting to work for a legitimate company offering victims a refund, among other ruses.

Holz noted scammers often have some personal information on hand, giving them the appearance of legitimacy.

"These folks are professionals, they sound legit, they oftentimes already have some information about you," Holz explained. "They're just asking you for those extra identifiers, like your Social Security number or your birth date. And by you providing that last piece of the puzzle, you are allowing that scammer to enter your account."

One common fraud targeting seniors is the so-called "grandparents scam" which involves a caller posing as a loved one in crisis needing money. A relatively new angle on this scam involves using artificial intelligence to mimic the voice of a loved one. Fraudsters may also utilize caller ID spoofing to make even the phone number appear legitimate. Holz emphasized the grandparents scam can fool people by placing them in a heightened emotional state.

"What the scammer is doing is creating this sense of urgency or what we call 'the ether' in that other person, and making them feel like they need to act right now to help out their loved one," Holz added.

In 2023, the FBI received nearly 2,000 fraud complaints from Marylanders 60 and older reporting more than $72 million in losses.

AARP Maryland will host a number of in-person and online events this week including free document shredding at six locations around the state.

Washington has received designations highlighting the state's efforts to become more age and dementia-friendly.

Washington is the 12th state to join the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities.

Susan Engels, Unit on Aging office chief for the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services, said the designation builds on work the state is already doing to support people of all ages.

"Age-friendly communities consider goals that promote high quality of life for each person regardless of their age, allowing older people the opportunity to remain active in their community," Engels pointed out. "The designation begins a book of work that we're very excited to do."

Some cities in the state have already joined the AARP network, such as Puyallup, Renton, Seattle, Tacoma and White Salmon. Some of the goals for age-friendly communities include ensuring people can age in place and building walkable communities to ensure people can maintain both their independence and connection with others.

Washington is also joining U.S. Aging's Dementia-Friendly America network. Engels noted the state is already supporting people with dementia.

"Developing more community opportunities for families living with dementia," Engels explained. "Things like zoo walks and cafes where people can come and not worry about being judged if their loved one behaves differently."

Family caregiving is another important area as the population ages. According to AARP's statistics, the ratio of family caregivers per adult over 80 available in Washington will decline from about 4.5 to 1 in 2030 to less than 3 to 1 in 2050.

Engels added the state has support in caregiving as well, such as through respite and counseling to help people maintain the sometimes difficult roles.

"We have innovative programs, both state funded and federally funded, where we are able to support family caregivers regardless of income levels," Engels stressed. "With services that help those family caregivers be able to maintain their role."

More people over the age of 64 are being targeted by scams through social media and are more likely to lose money.

According to AARP, around half of American adults report having been a victim or a target of financial fraud.

Judy Dollison, president of the Better Business Bureau of Central Ohio, said the most common and dangerous scams for seniors involve investments, romance, and home improvement.

"Scammers oftentimes go door to door, looking for victims," Dollison pointed out. "Sometimes we see this after a big storm or, you know, hail or tornado comes through the neighborhood, and they tell them that, oh, you know, we got up on your roof, and there's hail damage."

People who suspected they have been scammed or their personal information has been compromised should contact their local police department and their financial institution to get help stopping the payment or disputing the charge. Report scams at BBB.org/ScamTracker or call 614-486-6336.

Dollison explained warning signs include asking for payment immediately and unusual payment types such as debit cards, Zelle, and Venmo, along with claims of a free or unrealistic low-cost product or service.

"Some of the big red flags are, you know, a pressure to act," Dollison emphasized. "So often we see scammers try to really convince you to do something urgently, because they don't want you to ask your friend or family. They don't want to you to research."

A decline in cognitive functioning, such as Alzheimer's disease and dementia, social isolation, and a lack of financial literacy tend to make older adults more susceptible to scams and fraud. Dollison stressed it is important to remind loved ones and neighbors scammers are out there.

"We always encourage just vigilance," Dollison added. "Empower the seniors to be suspicious of things, to question, to pause and seek guidance. Discuss telemarketing and email fraud. Just really highlight how much is out there."

Elder financial abuse costs older Americans at least $36.5 billion each year and more older adults are becoming victims of financial scams, according to the Department of Justice.


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Researchers in Iowa say changes in an Alzheimer's patients' brain can occur at least 20 years before they are diagnosed with the disease and they are calling for more education about early warning signs of dementia during Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month.

There are at least 7 million people age 65 and older in the U.S. living with Alzheimer's and 62,000 of them are in Iowa.

Abby Miesner, development manager for the Alzheimer's Association of Iowa, said despite time and money being spent on research, the risk is going up at a younger age and the numbers are discouraging.

"The lifetime risk for Alzheimer's at age 45 is one in five for women, and one in 10 for men," Miesner pointed out.

Miesner noted the numbers hold true across the board for Blacks and Latinos as well. She adds as doctors have learned signs and symptoms could start to occur at an earlier age, they are paying attention to signs sooner.

Miesner explained occasionally misplacing your keys or forgetting why you went into a room are not always cause for concern but repeatedly forgetting things as part of your everyday life could be.

Meisner added earlier detection gives doctors a chance to intervene sooner in a patient's life.

"As many as 40% of dementia cases may be attributed to modifiable risk factors," Meisner emphasized. "Things like having too high of blood pressure or not enough physical activity, lack of exercise. Things like that, getting good sleep. All of those things are so important."

All can be controlled by developing healthy habits. A 2022 report from the Alzheimer's Association showed 60% of people will put off seeing a doctor if they develop symptoms early on, waiting until the symptoms worsen, or family and friends encourage them to seek treatment.

The Association is holding educational events statewide all month.