Elderly MA and Fraud

Much of the content in the last blog had to do with the inability of many MA elderly to learn English at a proficient enough level to allow them access to things like higher education. With proficiency in the dominant language, English, it has been shown that this would increase the chances of a person living independently. (Burr, and Mutchler) Well living independently can be a good thing the independence comes at a price. Many MA retirees will continue to work after the age of 65 years in order to supplement their income due to low retirement finances. (Talamantes, Lindeman, and Mouton) Having most likely worked in a low paying menial job without an adequate retirement package, elderly are sometimes duped out of the little savings they do have by con artists looking to sell them something that is fraudulently presented as an economically, or health uplifting remedy. With an independent elderly MA, their position may be even more precarious than the average American because their lack of English, combined with their lack of education, may not allow them the capacity to distinguish between an outlandish unsubstantiated claim from a true opportunity to improve ones economic or health situation. Just like the snake oil salesman of the past, there are individuals today who look to lie about possible medical treatments that simply have no basis in the scientific world. Elderly, who are often suffering from more than one ailment may feel desperate and try a treatment that is expensive and has no value. Many of these types of scams can be alluring to a poor, uninformed, undereducated MA and can easily drain them of the little savings they may have. “…given the limits of a victim’s advanced age and life expectancy, it is virtually impossible for the elderly victims to ever replace assets lost as a result of fraud.” (Sharpe 16)

Burr, Jeffrey, and Jan Mutchler. "English Language Skills, Ethnic Concentration, and Household Composition: Older Mexican Immigrants" The Journals of Gerontology. The Gerontological Society of America, 24 Oct 2002. Web. 24 Feb 2012. <http://psychsocgerontology.oxfordjournals.org/content/58/2/S83.short>.

Sharpe, Charles C. Frauds against the elderly. Jefferson: McFarland & Company Inc., 2004. 16. Print.

Talamantes, M., R. Lindeman, and C. Mouton. "HEALTH AND HEALTH CARE OF HISPANIC/LATINO AMERICAN ELDERS." Health and health care of hispanic/latino american elders. http://www.stanford.edu, 2011. Web. 24 Feb 2012. <http://www.stanford.edu/group/ethnoger/hispaniclatino.html>.