(COLUMBUS, Ohio) — With advocates around the globe marking World Elder Abuse Awareness Month, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost on Monday called on all Ohioans to help raise awareness of elder exploitation and to encourage older relatives and friends to report any victimization they suffer.
“It’s infuriating that the elderly … should become the victims of predators who exploit their diminished vigor and capability,” Yost told a crowd of 200 advocates and other professionals gathered for his annual World Elder Abuse Conference. “Shouldn’t some things be off limits — even to criminals?”
The sold-out daylong conference, themed “New Age Vulnerabilities: Protecting Older Adults in a Digital Era,” was presented by the Attorney General’s Elder Abuse Commission at Ohio State University’s Fawcett Center.
The conference featured discussions on where to turn when cryptocurrency and other modern scams strike, as well as how to dismantle AI scams and consider the future impact of these technologies on older populations.
Highlights included remarks from AG Yost; a keynote address by Tracy M. Dodson, nurse educator and professor at Kent State University; and three breakout sessions focused on emerging challenges.
Advocates for older Ohioans emphasize that elder abuse can affect individuals and families across all racial, ethnic, economic, and religious backgrounds. Abuse may lead to physical injury, emotional distress, financial loss, violation of rights — and, in some cases, even death.
Warning signs of elder abuse may include:
- Unexplained changes in physical appearance, such as weight loss, bruising, or bleeding.
- Noticeable shifts in mood or personality.
- Deterioration in home conditions
In his remarks, Yost also announced a new partnership with the Ohio Pharmacists Association. The initiative marks the first step in publicizing the Elder Abuse Hotline (1-855-OHIO-APS) and educating pharmacists on recognizing red flags of abuse. Yost emphasized the unique role pharmacists play as consistent points of contact for older adults, noting, “Do you know anybody over 60 years old that isn't taking at least one prescription?”
As part of the effort, the association will open its continuing education platform to the Attorney General’s Office for presentations on identifying abuse and guiding at-risk individuals to safety and services. “This could be a huge multiplier to get the word out that you’re not alone, you’re not abandoned, and you don’t have to take it,” Yost said.
The Attorney General’s Elder Justice Unit — a collaboration among the Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) and the Consumer Protection, Crime Victim Services, Health Care Fraud, and Special Prosecutions sections of the Ohio Attorney General’s Office — works to support victims and hold perpetrators accountable.
In addition, BCI’s Electronic Fraud Investigations (EFI) unit, now in its second year, focuses on the growing threat of cyber and financial crimes targeting older adults. The unit — which encompasses specialists in cybercrime, cryptocurrency, and financial fraud — has already identified and disrupted several notable criminal operations.
By bridging the investigative gap between local and federal law enforcement, the unit pursues offenders to the fullest extent of the law in hopes of recovering stolen funds.
Law enforcement agencies in need of BCI’s assistance should contact the bureau by phone at 855-BCI-OHIO or via email at
Intel@OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov.
For assistance, training, or additional information about elder justice issues — or to report suspected abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation — call (800)-282-0515 or visit
www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov.
MEDIA CONTACT:
Hannah Hundley: 614-906-9113
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