Ohio is taking a stand against elder abuse, with Attorney General Dave Yost spearheading a collaborative campaign that brings together the Ohio Bankers League and the Ohio Health Care Association. Yost announced these new partnerships, focusing on raising awareness and preventing the financial exploitation of older residents, as reported by the Ohio Attorney General.
Financial institutions and healthcare providers play a pivotal role, as elders often frequent these establishments. "Elder abuse doesn’t always leave bruises, sometimes it looks like unusual withdrawals or a sudden change in financial behavior," Yost stated in a press conference, highlighting that banks can be a "first line of defense." The Ohio Bankers League commits to equipping banks with the means to detect and act upon early signs of exploitation. Mike Adelman, the president and CEO, expressed his gratitude, "This partnership matters, and it sends a powerful message to Ohioans that government and local banks are standing together to protect our most vulnerable neighbors," he told the public.
These partnerships, which follow previous collaborations with the Ohio Pharmacists Association, entail training to identify the warning signs of abuse, the distribution of educational materials, and leveraging various platforms to enhance outreach and increase reporting. Healthcare providers are on the lookout for signs of physical, emotional, and sexual abuse, too. Scott Wiley, CEO of the Ohio Health Care Association, stressed that for each member, "the safety, well-being and compassionate care of residents, especially in their most vulnerable moments, are our highest priorities."
According to Ohio's Attorney General's Office, elder abuse cases in the state have soared by 400% in the past seven years. On the prevalence of these heinous acts. The state's Elder Abuse Commission also plays a crucial role, with its recent biennial report outlining various preventative and training efforts.
