Flint Journal
Posted by Kate Birnbryer White | Guest writer February 16, 2009
10:37AM

Retreived from: http://www.mlive.com/opinion/flint/index.ssf/2009/02/county_is_a_leader_in_fighting.html

If You Ask Me is a regular guest columnist feature in The Flint
Journal's opinion pages.

Genesee County is fortunate to have a progressive prosecutor in David
Leyton. Leyton, along with the dedicated and tenacious Genesee County
Sheriff's Department, recently brought charges of murder in a case of
severe neglect of Katherine L. Mukdsi. Too often "gray murders" (murders
involving older adults) and cases of elder abuse and neglect are ignored
or determined too complex to adequately investigate.

Elder Law of Michigan applauds Genesee County and its elder death
review team for bringing a murder charge in this case. Only a few
counties in Michigan employ this nationally recognized best practice.
Sending a clear message that abuse and neglect are serious crimes that
carry significant penalties is critical for the health, safety and
well-being of citizens of all ages.

According to media accounts, a postal worker reported Katherine
Mukdsi's situation to the local police. That response fell short. Later
this year, Elder Law of Michigan will bring training to local police to
help them better identify elder abuse and understand how and when to
intervene in an abuse or neglect situation. Friends, families,
professionals and neighbors should continue to report neglect and elder
abuse and do more than call the local police.

If you suspect that an adult is being abused or neglected, call Adult
Protective Services (APS) and file a report at (800) 996-6228. APS
accepts anonymous complaints and is charged with investigating right
away, generally within 24 hours after the complaint is received. People
age 60 and older can also call the Legal Hotline for Michigan Seniors at
(800) 347-5297 for free information and advice if they are concerned
about talking to authorities.

Elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation are dramatically
underreported crimes and sometimes initial reports to authorities are
not taken seriously or handled properly. Research estimates that only
about 4 percent to 6 percent of cases of elder abuse are reported in
Michigan. When these cases are reported, as in Katherine Mukdsi's case,
we need a coordinated community response involving citizens, APS and
local law enforcement. This case reminds us that there are older adults
among us who live in horrible conditions or are abused every day. About
14 percent of elders nationally report that they have been abused or
neglected. We all need APS' number on our refrigerator door, by our
phone or in our contact list to report it when we see it.

Older adults from all backgrounds and financial situations can be
victims of abuse and neglect. Family and paid caregivers are often the
perpetrators of these devastating crimes. Staying in regular contact
with older adults you care about and probing any changes in behavior,
activities or living conditions are critical to spotting a problem
early. People who are isolated from friends and neighbors are
particularly at risk. Instinctively, most of us know when something just
isn't right. Reporting abuse, neglect or the misuse of an elder's money
to APS should be our first call.

Kate Birnbryer White is the executive director of Elder Law of
Michigan, a Lansing-based nonprofit group that focuses on senior and
disabled issues.

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