Disaster
Assistance
Disaster Preparedness Manual for the Aging Network
XI. Preventing Abuse and Exploitation of Seniors
When we talk about exploitation of elderly,
we think of the traveling con artist that comes through after
a disaster and
takes all of poor Mr. Jones' money. However, Mr. Jones may be
just as much at risk from his own local contractor. At the recovery
phase of a disaster, local contractors can over extend themselves
to the point of not getting all of the local needs met. Clients
should be careful about giving money to local persons without
having a signed contract and a date the work will be started
and completed. For more information the client should be encouraged
to call their attorney general's office to find out what they
should know to protect themselves.
Contributed by Liz Smith, District III AAA,
Salisbury, MO.
(The Following article is by Bet Tzedek Legal
Services, Los Angeles) Seniors
can be particularly susceptible to abuse or exploitation in
the aftermath of a large-scale disaster. Numerous factors,
including immobility, isolation, anxiety and, importantly, the
perception by potential abusers that seniors are particularly
vulnerable, contribute to the possibility that seniors will be
abused or exploited. The purpose of this section is to discuss
ways in which the Area Agencies on Aging can coordinate with
government agencies and local legal services programs to help
prevent seniors from being victimized in the wake of disasters.
I. Problems to be Addressed As
with their younger neighbors, seniors may have basic needs
for food, water or shelter after disasters. They may need to
make repairs to their homes. They may be traumatized and anxiety-ridden.
Seniors may be more susceptible than others,
however, to abuse or exploitation, for the reasons cited above.
In particular,
seniors are likely to confront the following post-disaster
problems, among others:
1. Home improvement fraud; 2. Insurance fraud and inadequate service;
3. Exploitation by landlords;
4. Exploitation by commercial vendors of necessities;
5. Exploitation by individuals purporting to be related to
FEMA or similar authorities, representing either that they can
expedite delivery of relief for a fee, or that certain home repairs
are required by law;
6. Inability to obtain appropriate emergency relief in a timely
manner; and,
7. Inability to find suitable replacement
housing.
II. Abuse and Exploitation Prevention Program Preventing
these problems from becoming pervasive requires advance planning
and coordination among local Area Agencies on Aging,
local, state and federal emergency response personnel, AAA service
providers, and law enforcement, among others. When disasters
occur, a senior abuse and exploitation prevention program should
already be in place, and be implemented immediately.
Steps to Take Now: A. Develop a senior-friendly disaster relief plan.
A major deterrent to senior abuse and exploitation is a disaster
relief program which responds in a timely and effective way to
seniors' immediate needs. Local Area Agencies on Aging throughout
the country should work with federal aging officials, FEMA and
SBA officials now to develop local emergency relief plans that
are sensitive to seniors' needs.
These plans might include:
1. Determining how basic services, nutrition
in particular, will be delivered after a disaster; 2. Using senior centers as disaster application centers;
3. Creating mobile interdisciplinary teams to travel to homebound
seniors;
4. Establishing free shuttle service to and from disaster relief
centers;
5. Designating AAA staff members to monitor emergency relief
delivery at disaster application and service centers;
6. Appointing AAA staff to provide specialized senior citizen
assistance, including expediting emergency relief for seniors,
at disaster assistance centers used by the general public; and
7. Planning for an "800" emergency
relief hotline to be established for seniors as soon as possible
after a disaster.
Callers would be directed to appropriate agencies for further
assistance.
If past disasters are any guide, as important
as the substance of these plans are two additional elements:
a clear understanding
of which entity is primarily responsible for responding to
seniors, and positive working relationships among staff members
at relevant agencies. Thus, AAA staff should establish basic
relationships with FEMA and other emergency relief agencies
now. For example, in each community an AAA staff member should
be assigned to act as a liaison to FEMA in the event of an
emergency.
B. Develop post-disaster community education
strategy
Post-disaster community education is essential to preventing
wide-scale abuse and exploitation. AAAs, local legal service
providers and FEMA officials should
plan jointly to perform presentations including discussions of home improvement
fraud prevention, insurance, landlord/tenant, FEMA and SBA related issues. In
addition, FEMA supervisors should be trained to identify potential senior
abuse, including home improvement fraud, and
appraised of appropriate legal services referrals for victims.
Steps to Take Immediately Following a Disaster: A. Implement senior-friendly disaster relief plan
With the pre-designated agency taking the
lead, the senior-friendly disaster relief plan should immediately
be implemented.
B. Monitor provision of emergency relief at
disaster relief centers, to identify deficiencies and recommend
changes.
Local legal services program staff and AAA
officials could perform this important role.
C. Organize and
implement extensive community education campaign. The plan discussed above should be implemented at locations
convenient for seniors, at times during which they are likely
to attend. Written materials should immediately be disseminated
to locations frequented by seniors, and to homebound participants
in senior citizens' networks.
D. Mobilize legal services program home improvement fraud efforts.
AAAs should immediately contact local legal services providers,
to assure they are capable of responding to direct legal services
needs of senior clients.
E. Assure general legal services are available.
Local legal services programs, bar associations and law enforcement
agencies, including district attorneys and city attorneys, should
make services available through disaster assistance centers,
and at other sites accessible to seniors. Home visits should
also occur as needed.
| Last Modified: 7/16/2009 9:05:49 AM |
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