Az I See It....
Today, June 15th, is(was) World Elder Abuse Awareness Day - how fitting, as the fastest growing demographic is among those age 50 plus! Well, most states' governors held ceremonies citing the day. NOT Arizona's governor, however. And not a mention in the Arizona Repulsive Newspaper today, either!
The Area Agency on Aging sponsored the WEAAD Event, in Phoenix, and Attorney General Tom Horne was the 'featured speaker.' His segment was scheduled for 30 minutes - but he only needed ten! He then used five minutes to show off his self-acclaimed piano talents, first describing and then performing Movements Two and Three of Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue.' He was surprised when he was requested to answer questions from the audience - which only lasted five minutes. He came up ten minutes short on time, and a lot shorter on substance! Funny, too, when asked to repeat the phone number for assisting seniors through his office, he said, "The number I played was Rhapsody in Blue." When admonished, he claimed that being 66-years old has caused diminished hearing. Yeah - he doesn't hear much from Arizona citizens! Finally, he was asked what can be done about 'a young Mexican girl attempting to marry an older man, in a blatant attempt to take control of his finances.' Horne's response? "We have several employees who speak Spanish, so you should contact our office and ask to speak to one of them. I, also, have taken Spanish for the past three years, but my staff is better." How can you make this stuff up?
No wonder Arizona has very few legal protections for seniors. When urged to enact such laws, our 'concerned' legislators have ignored Arizona's most vulnerable at every turn. Even Rep. Jack Harper(R - Dist. 4) has otherwise stymied attempts to legislate against unlicensed assisted living facilities - especially those that claim to be licensed!(Maybe next year?)
Former LAPD Detective Chayo Reyes presented several well-taken anecdotal situations, for which California has severe penalties for elder abuse - physical, financial, etc. - but what was the purpose? When questioned, all he could encourage was due diligence to change Arizona law. DUH!
Anyway, to report suspected elder abuse, call 1-877-767-2385(not the other INCORRECT number in the program brochure. SHEESH!) Or call the 24-hour Senior Help Line @ 602-264-HELP(4357) And not to worry - Tom Horne will NOT personally answer your call! Ola!
The Area Agency on Aging sponsored the WEAAD Event, in Phoenix, and Attorney General Tom Horne was the 'featured speaker.' His segment was scheduled for 30 minutes - but he only needed ten! He then used five minutes to show off his self-acclaimed piano talents, first describing and then performing Movements Two and Three of Gershwin's 'Rhapsody in Blue.' He was surprised when he was requested to answer questions from the audience - which only lasted five minutes. He came up ten minutes short on time, and a lot shorter on substance! Funny, too, when asked to repeat the phone number for assisting seniors through his office, he said, "The number I played was Rhapsody in Blue." When admonished, he claimed that being 66-years old has caused diminished hearing. Yeah - he doesn't hear much from Arizona citizens! Finally, he was asked what can be done about 'a young Mexican girl attempting to marry an older man, in a blatant attempt to take control of his finances.' Horne's response? "We have several employees who speak Spanish, so you should contact our office and ask to speak to one of them. I, also, have taken Spanish for the past three years, but my staff is better." How can you make this stuff up?
No wonder Arizona has very few legal protections for seniors. When urged to enact such laws, our 'concerned' legislators have ignored Arizona's most vulnerable at every turn. Even Rep. Jack Harper(R - Dist. 4) has otherwise stymied attempts to legislate against unlicensed assisted living facilities - especially those that claim to be licensed!(Maybe next year?)
Former LAPD Detective Chayo Reyes presented several well-taken anecdotal situations, for which California has severe penalties for elder abuse - physical, financial, etc. - but what was the purpose? When questioned, all he could encourage was due diligence to change Arizona law. DUH!
Anyway, to report suspected elder abuse, call 1-877-767-2385(not the other INCORRECT number in the program brochure. SHEESH!) Or call the 24-hour Senior Help Line @ 602-264-HELP(4357) And not to worry - Tom Horne will NOT personally answer your call! Ola!
Thank you, Arky, for attending the Joke Elder Abuse Awareness Day Open House and supporting us. My wife is dying due to senior abuse by a slumlord that would not fix her leaky sink and mold problem. She is getting worse because of rejection of her transplanted liver. She did not tell you yesterday, but she is going blind and needs her eyes operated on for a 4th time. We did not go to listen to Tom Horne play the piano but to ask him why he has done nothing on our Case for 18 months. We just wrote Channel 3 news since they were the only TV station that covered Senior Abuse yesterday. We are following the retired LA detective's advice that if the law enforcement people do nothing, then get the media involved. It is sad to say but "NO ONE CARES" and we are becoming as cynical as you. However, you are a great friend!
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