On June 15, World Elder Abuse Awarness Day, I attended a conference in Lexington, Kentucky, where I learned that Kentucky is working to get out of the disgraceful group of 10 states in the country who have the highest rates of elder abuse. And everyone knows that most cases go unreported.

I also learned that there is a number to call directly to the Office of the Attorney General to report a suspected case of elder abuse. This number is different than the other number I have to call which reaches Adult Protective Services 800-752-6200 or 859-245-5258. The number for the AG is 877-228-7384. I googled to learn more but was still unclear about the difference in the two departments and the different numbers to call, so I called the 877 number and reached Wesley Duke, who was the keynote speaker at the conference. It just happened to be his turn to man the line. He graciously explained that both numbers will work because the two departments collaborate with each other. Abuse of the Medicaid system by fraud and abuse of Medicaid money recipients both cost taxpayers millions of dollars each year, and that is why the Office of the Attorney General works to alleviate this problem.

And did you know that it is THE LAW to report elder abuse and fraud even if you only suspect it? You do not have to validate or know that it is abuse….you only have to suspect it and you MUST report it. You can report anonymously if you wish. If we all work together we can get Kentucky out of the group of ill repute. The guilty, shameful, dirty 10 states who abuse their elderly. Our children are also suffering here in Kentucky. But unlike children, the elderly are often financially exploited. Be on the look out. At the bank, at the post office, at the grocery store.