The McGeorge School of Law is hosting a series of events to make seniors aware of the dangers of financial abuse. The school’s Elder & Health Law Clinic partnered with Capital Stage for the interactive theater event. The group put together several skits explaining the warning signs of financial abuse to seniors. The “No.” Is A Complete Sentence Elder Abuse Awareness Roadshow gives the public a chance to learn how someone might try to scam them and how they can avoid financial harm. The McGeorge School of Law’s Elder & Health Law Clinic often works with Sacramento County’s Senior and Adult Services to provide legal guidance to seniors.
“Our event is an interactive know your rights presentation where actors from the Capital Stage perform several skits taken from real-life elder financial abuse cases that our legal clinic has litigated,” said staff attorney Lacey Mickleburgh.
During the presentations, actors play out different scenarios. In one skit, a son asks his dad to sign over power of attorney. Later, the dad realizes the son took out his entire savings. The skit is meant to teach older adults that sometimes even those close to them might not have the best intentions.
Once the first act of the performance is finished, the performers ask the audience for feedback. The advice from the audience is then applied to the skit and the financial abuse is avoided.
“There are so many cases that come through our door where our older adults have been influenced to make a decision that ended in financial abuse,” said Mickleburgh.
The Elder & Health Law Clinic wanted to stop that financial abuse before it occurs. The skits illustrate the questions older adults must ask before signing documents or making agreements. When they know what to ask and what to look out for, they can better protect themselves.
There are several upcoming performances at different locations, including:
- February 9, 2023, at 6 p.m., at Center of Praise Church (223 Capital Ave., Sacramento, CA 95816)
- March 28, 2023, at 3 p.m., at ACC Senior Services (7334 Park City Dr., Sacramento, CA 95831)
- May 12, 2023, at 10 a.m., at Sacramento State (6000 J Street., Sacramento, CA 95819)
You can register for the event on February 9 by clicking this link https://www.cop.church/event/11094816-2023-02-09-elder-abuse-roadshow/.
If you or someone you know has been the victim of elder financial abuse, contact law enforcement and Sacramento County Adult Protective Services.
For more information on McGeorge’s Legal Clinics:
