Elder Justice Hotline Launched in Connecticut
/Attorney General William Tong, Aging and Disabilities Commissioner Amy Porter, Consumer Protection Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull and the Coalition for Elder Justice in Connecticut have launched the Elder Justice Hotline-- a “one stop shop” for older in adults in Connecticut in need of information, aid, and justice.
Elder justice issues can range from age-based discrimination in the workplace to scams and frauds, elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. As a result, no one state agency can answer every question. The Consumer Assistance Unit of the Office of the Attorney General will staff the hotline and refer matters as appropriate to agencies across state government.
Connecticut is the 7th oldest state in the nation; the state’s older adult population is expected to increase by 64% between 2006 and 2030.
The hotline can be reached at 1-860-808-5555. It will operate Monday through Friday from 8am to 5pm. Calls received after hours provide an opportunity to leave a message and calls will be returned as soon as possible, according to state officials. Individuals may also access information about the hotline, resources, and an online complaint portal at https://portal.ct.gov/ag/elderhotline
“If you have been the victim of a scam, or have been neglected, exploited or abused, we are here to help. It’s hard sometimes to know who to call, so we want to make it easy. The Elder Justice Hotline can answer your questions, connect you with trained investigators, and help you access aid, support and justice,” said Attorney General Tong in announcing the new initiative earlier this month.
The Elder Justice Hotline does not investigate reports of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation, the newly launched website points out. Reports of suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation received through the Hotline will be referred to the Department of Social Service, Elderly Protective Services Unit. DSS social workers investigate reports of elder maltreatment and neglect (including self-neglect) and intervene with services and connections to community partners.
Last month, President Biden noted that “every year, one in ten Americans aged 60 and older experiences abuse — and for every case of elder abuse that comes to the attention of authorities, it is estimated that 23 cases are never brought to light.” The Office of Victims of Crime indicated that In the United States, an estimated 5 million older adults are abused, neglected, or exploited each year.
The World Health Organization, in 2017, described elder abuse as “an important public health problem.” A review of evidence from 52 studies in 28 countries from diverse regions, including 12 low- and middle-income countries, estimated that, “in the previous year, 15.7% of people aged 60 years and older were subjected to some form of abuse. This is likely to be an underestimation, the WHO pointed out.
The Coalition for Elder Justice in Connecticut is a multi-disciplinary, statewide group of private and public stakeholders working together to prevent elder abuse and protect the rights, independence, security, and well-being of vulnerable elders.
“This is another important tool in the toolbox for state agencies to work together to protect consumers from age-based discrimination in the workplace, scams and frauds targeting older adults, elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation,” said DCP Commissioner Michelle H. Seagull.
“We are pleased this hotline will make it that much easier for older adults and their families to make connections that support their independence with dignity and respect,” said Aging and Disability Services Commissioner Amy Porter.
“Unfortunately, older adults are especially vulnerable to serious maltreatment, including physical, emotional and even sexual abuse, along with neglect and financial exploitation,” said Dr. Deidre S. Gifford, Department of Social Services Commissioner and Department of Public Health Acting Commissioner.
"This hotline will help law enforcement, as well as family and friends, protect our most targeted and vulnerable population. Our older populations sometimes have difficulty and fear when they are trying to report that they are a victim. This will be a tremendous help,” said Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection Commissioner James Rovella.
A similar initiative is underway in Wisconsin, launched in response to data indicated a steady increase in elderly abuse in that state.
The Office of the Attorney General and the Coalition for Elder Justice in Connecticut have partnered with the following state agencies and organizations to support the hotline:
CT Department of Banking
CT Department of Consumer Protection
CT Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services
CT Department of Public Health
CT Department of Social Services - Protective Services for the Elderly
CT Long-Term Care Ombudsman
CT Police Training Academy
CT Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection
State Unit on Aging, Department of Aging and Disability Services
The theme for World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, marked annually on June 15 in countries throughout the world, was 'Access to Justice' in 2021. In an official proclamation issued by the White House in observance this year, President Biden called on “all Americans to work for elder justice by building inclusive communities that welcome people of all ages and abilities; by learning the warning signs of elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and by challenging age-related biases.”
