Calling elder abuse one of the most under-reported crimes in the city, Los Angeles officials announced plans to expand its efforts to protect senior citizens with some help from the Department of Justice and Verizon Corp. Mayor Eric Garcetti and City Attorney Mike Feuer said the awarding of $1.6 million in grants to the city will help fund efforts to train police officers in recognizing the signs of elder abuse, which often involves family members and can be somewhat of a hidden crime.

“Our office is in the forefront of domestic violence,” the City Attorney commented to the Los Angeles Daily News, as reported in an article titled "L.A. gets $1.6 million to combat elder abuse."

 “Our office receives 11,000 cases of domestic violence each year, but last year, we received only 100 cases of elder abuse," the City Attorney noted.

He's certain there are more cases out there and that elder abuse is under-reported. Victims rely on caretakers, and because of that, are hesitant to come forward and make a report.

L.A. Mayor Garcetti said domestic abuse cases are increasing, even though other types of crime in Los Angeles are at historic lows. New programs will involve training for the private sector and nonprofits to assist law enforcement and to recognize symptoms that are sometimes hard to detect but that could indicate mistreatment of the city's seniors.

The mayor reminded readers that Los Angeles has "absolutely zero tolerance for domestic abuse, for sexual abuse, for elder abuse,” and that there is help for victims.

Los Angeles Assistant Police Chief Michel Moore was quoted in the original article as saying that a major issue with domestic violence is that it continues for generations and often brings about other criminal problems. Moore encouraged people to pay attention to the elderly, saying “If you see repeated signs of bruising or other problems, report it.” He added that friends and neighbors should watch for any increased isolation of an elderly person, which can be a sign of trouble.

This advice works the same in your community as it does in Los Angeles. If you have any concerns about the care of an elderly friend or loved one, speak with an elder law attorney. He or she can advise on the steps to take and work with you to make sure that your senior's interests are represented and they receive the care they need.

For more information about estate planning, please visit my estate planning website.

Reference: Los Angeles Daily News (October 15, 2014) "L.A. gets $1.6 million to combat elder abuse"