WHEREAS, our elderly population are vital and integral members of our society and their wisdom and experience have enriched our lives; and
WHEREAS, abuse and exploitation of the elderly in domestic and institutional settings are wide-spread problems, affecting hundreds of thousands of people across the country; and
WHEREAS, Texas Adult Protective Services In-Home Caseworkers in Williamson County investigated 1,284 allegations of which 388 cases of Abuse, Neglect and/or Exploitation were confirmed against our elderly Texans in 2020; and
WHEREAS, elder abuse, which happens to men and women of all income levels, all cultural and ethnic groups, in good health or incapacitated in some way, and across every type of community, is grossly underreported because the elderly who are being abused, find it very difficult to tell anyone, are usually ashamed, sometimes afraid, or may not be aware that someone they trust is taking advantage of them, or, in fact, not understand they are being abused; and
WHEREAS, the Williamson County Attorney’s Office serves an important role in the investigation and prosecution of elder abuse and exploitation, and they also have a strong victim services program to assist those who have been targeted for the abuse;