Elder Abuse Legal Rights Panel To Be Held In Boulder County

BOULDER, CO -- As America ages, vulnerable elderly residents may become more likely to be victims of elder abuse. In the form of physical abuse, neglect or financial exploitation, a wave of crimes against seniors affects an estimated 5 million people a year. But only about one in every 14 incidences are reported, even fewer for financial exploitation, making it a crime that happens in plain sight.

Boulder County will present a panel of law enforcement and judicial exerts on Friday, June 15 in conjunction of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day from 3-4:30 p.m. at the East Boulder Senior Center, 5660 Sioux Dr., Boulder. The event is free.

The legal fine points of elder abuse laws, and how they are investigated and prosecuted will be discussed by panelists Boulder County Deputy District Attorney Tim Johnson, and Lafayette Detective Kelly Coelho, with remarks by Boulder County District Attorney Michael Dougherty.

As the number of people 65 and older will double by the year 2050, elder abuse may increase without awareness of the rights and protections seniors have under the law.

Boulder's Elder Rights Program Manager and the Boulder County Area Agency on Aging are tasked with promoting programs that can provide early intervention for vulnerable adults. For more info, contact Erica Corson, Elder Rights Program Manager with the Boulder County Area Agency on Aging, 303-441-1170.

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