Creating Awareness. Changing Lives.
Elder Law of Michigan (ELM) has added a new dimension to its work to prevent elder abuse and financial exploitation. ELM has partnered with the National Council on Aging (NCOA) and WITNESS, a cutting edge video advocacy group, to utilize film and video to profile these difficult and life threatening issues facing older adults. Video is powerful medium to use to discuss difficult personal matters. Part of the impact of the Video Advocacy Project will be the opportunity to showcase that elder abuse and financial exploitation happens to people of all backgrounds. It will also convey the message that there are consequences, alternatives and solutions.
Collectively there is crippling silence around elder abuse and financial exploitation.
The silence is costing millions of people dearly. Every year, an estimated five million older Americans are beaten, ignored or financially exploited, causing illness, suffering and premature death. The calculable financial cost is over $2.6 billion annually. The Video Advocacy Project is one strategy to bring the topic to the fore front of the national list of immediate public health and financial security priorities.
Working with partners from across the country, Elder Law of Michigan is raising the issue of elder abuse to a national level through the capturing of stories of abuse victims and their advocates. These filmed stories are being used to create public awareness and educate policy makers about elder abuse and the importance of passing the federal Elder Justice Act.
Through this exciting new form of advocacy, Elder Law of Michigan will be in the vanguard of protecting people at vulnerable times during their lives. We look forward to stimulating positive systemic change to restore the well-being of victims and to empower them to regain their health, confidence and financial security in communities throughout Michigan and around the United States.
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