Indiana Secretary of State Connie Lawson’s desire to protect senior citizens led to the creation of the Indiana Council Against Senior Exploitation, or IN-CASE, one year ago. IN-CASE members, including Secretary Lawson’s office, will celebrate this anniversary with a series of virtual events aimed at educating and empowering seniors.
Social distancing is necessary right now in order to protect the people we love, but that distance takes its toll. One of the sad ironies of the current pandemic is that keeping at-risk persons safe at home can exacerbate the negative physical and mental health effects of social isolation, including financial exploitation. That’s why IN-CASE has organized a series of virtual panel discussions and demonstrations for Indiana Elder Abuse Awareness Week, June 15-21. These events serve as a call-to-action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation.
The foundation for IN-CASE was laid over 4 years ago when the Indiana Association of Area Agencies on Aging’s (IAAAA) Senior Medicare Patrol director began hosting a networking group consisting of government agencies and organizations that serve older adults and/or have a mission to educate them and their caregivers on how to prevent all types of fraud. This networking group eventually led to the organization as it exists today. The mission of IN-CASE is to empower Indiana communities to prevent and end senior exploitation and abuse through education, encouragement, and empowerment.
Indiana Elder Abuse Awareness Week events include a tele-town hall with AARP, a Facebook Live panel discussion hosted by Better Business Bureau and moderated by WIBC’s Terri Stacy, and a BINGO game to educate seniors about scams and fraud. All of these events can be found on the IN-CASE website. Visitwww.IN-CASE.org to RSVP.