ELDER VICTIM MINISTRY
Serving elders in a Christian Ministry.
During our nation’s COVID-19 public health emergency, Elder Victim Ministry Advocates continue to help elders prevail over the trauma of a victimization in the areas of safety, healing, justice, legal and financial recovery. We have created these important COVID-19 Resources for Elders to promote your health, safety and well-being during this crisis. We hope that you are staying well.
The resources were last updated on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.
The resources were last updated on Wednesday, March 25, 2020.
The Victim Ministry program began in 1996 as a Christian outreach at Crime Victim Services. Focusing exclusively on elders since 2011, the Elder Victim Ministry program helps elders in Allen and Putnam counties to prevail over the trauma of victimization through safety planning, trauma support, justice system advocacy, emergency financial assistance, spiritual support, and mediation.
Four social workers and trained volunteers assist more than 700 victims per year offering services such as ID Theft recovery guidance, crisis counseling, referrals for civil complaints, justice system guidance, wellbeing checks, and emergency financial assistance. With permission, we often pray with victims and strengthen their relationship with their community of faith. Elder victims should know that they are not alone. We initiate contact with many victims from law enforcement crime reports for victims aged 60.
Special Program Initiatives
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Are You OK? program volunteers phone elders isolated in the community to offer well-being checks, friendship, help with problems, safety tips, as well as prayer and Bible verses. |
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The ACE Workshop program raises awareness about elder abuse and educates the public to identify and stand up to crime in the community. Hosted by area senior living facilities. |
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Volunteer ProgramCome join our team! Offer a hand up to an elder recovering from a burglary. Lend an ear to an elder experiencing isolation. Guide an elder through the steps needed after identity theft.
Volunteer opportunities include: · One-on-One Victim Assistance and Friendship · Prayer and Spiritual Support · Good Samaritan Financial Assistance · Church and Community Outreach If this is an area of calling for you, please consider applying today! |
Additional Services
In addition to providing victim services, Elder Victim Ministry advocates for change in the community as a member of the Elder Justice I-Teams of Allen and Putnam Counties. These interdisciplinary teams promote communication between organizations through the sharing of cases and collective advocacy on elder issues. As a members, we maintain:
- Who Does What for Elder Victims: Lists organizations that serve elder victims of crime, and helps professionals screen for and respond to the red flags of elder abuse.
- Legal Options Toolkit: A detailed tool of reference on levels of legal protection for elders written as a tool for professionals and caregivers who need guardianship guidance.
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Raise Awareness—Who is Really Calling? Download these grandparent scam flyers and post them in your neighborhood!
Allen County |
Putnam County |
Document Downloads
Examples of Elder Victims Assisted
Examples of Elder Victims Assisted:
A son called to report his mother was a victim of a scam that stated she won a new car and money. She had followed their instructions by cashing their fraudulent check and sending the money to them. When the scam’s bad check “bounced” the bank seized her minimal assets and then she couldn’t buy food and medications. Victim Ministry provided her with trauma support and financial assistance until her bank account was repaired. Her son was grateful someone cared and could intervene when needed.
A lady fell victim to a telephone scam that almost cost her $4,000. Her son was over 100 miles away, but he noticed on-line there had been a large withdrawal from her bank account. He was unable to quickly reach his mother so he called for help. Fortunately, the scam was stopped by an attentive Western Union employee. Victim Ministry assisted law enforcement with information and visited the elder victim to provide her and her distant son information and comfort, assuring the son that there are local people who care.
An elder man was the victim of Identity theft in which $400 was taken from his bank account. He was confused about how and why this happened and Victim Ministry provided listening, ongoing emotional support, and bought critical medication for him.
Victim Ministry received a call from the sister of a 66-year-old lady that was just released from the hospital. When she got home she found her refrigerator and her checking account had been emptied by her daughter without permission. Victim Ministry provided her with emergency food, emotional support, and options for justice system involvement.
The Lima Police Department called Victim Ministry because a 77-year-old lady reported a theft by her neighbor. It became apparent that her grandson had moved her to Lima into an unfurnished apartment with a mattress on the floor and dog feces around her to take advantage of her Social Security money, food stamps and utility subsidies. She was taken to St. Rita’s Medical Center and treated for various medical and infection issues for several days. The domestic violence shelter, Crossroads Crisis Center, then housed her until they and Victim Ministry found, furnished, and moved her into a senior citizen apartment. CVS helped her with financial self-sufficiency issues, including direct deposit of her checks and bills, and a CVS volunteer continues to help her make new friends, go shopping, and get community services, including with Council on Aging.
A 75-year-old man walked into Crime Victim Services asking for help because he was the victim of an automobile accident that was not his fault. The driver of the other vehicle fled the scene of the crash. She was arrested and found to have no insurance. The elder man’s car was damaged beyond repair and he had been sleeping in it when he was not in a homeless shelter. This began a long term relationship involving numerous referrals to community agencies for food and other assistance. Victim Ministry helped him financially, including obtaining and furnishing an apartment, buying another vehicle, and receiving medical care. A Victim Advocate from CVS assisted him with his court case and the judge ordered $1,000 in restitution to him.
Area Agency on Aging Region 3 referred an elderly couple to Victim Ministry. There was suspicion of abuse and neglect by their live-in son but insufficient evidence. The woman survived a stroke and the man suffers from Alzheimer’s. During our visits we found that the perimeter of their home was dangerously infested with bees and wasps so Victim Ministry paid for the extermination. The woman was a retired Pastor and said she missed being able to read the Bible due to poor eye sight. A Victim Ministry volunteer visits to read the Bible to her and her husband. Relations between the son and his parents have improved thanks to the partnership of caring people from Victim Ministry, Area Agency on Aging, and Adult Protective Services.
An 83-year-old man came to the Crime Victim Services’ office in fear of his son who had been living with him. The son had filled the father’s van with their belongings to move south for the winter but the dad was not ready to leave for a few weeks. The son got angry and became verbally and physically abusive. The father fled into a corn field and using the overhead power lines as a guide found his way to a neighbor friend’s home. The neighbors weren’t home so he rested in their garage and found a coat and hat to stay warm. After a few hours he saw police cars go by so he walked home and was met by law enforcement because he had been reported missing. The son was still angry and jumped in the father’s van and left. Victim Ministry assisted the elder man and other family members with a protection order through court hearings and was instrumental in assuring that the son was served the order out of state.
The Lima Police Department contacted Victim Ministry about 2 elder sisters and 2 young grandchildren who lived with them. There was an attempted home burglary. One of the elders was in a wheel chair and she and her 8-year-old granddaughter held the door shut from the robber by backing her wheelchair against it. She yelled through the door that she had a gun and the thief left. We found the home in poor condition with ceiling collapsing, exposed plumbing and wiring, squishy carpet from cat urine leaking pipe, and an infestation of cockroaches and bugs. Victim Ministry coordinated Children Services, Adult Protective Services, Health Department, and Area Agency on Aging for Passport assistance. The landlord told us he would not do home repairs. At first upset with Children Services; the victims realized that the agencies were acting in their best interest. Children Services relocated the family to a nicer home and Passport helped with a variety of needed services. The family stayed intact, which was their main concern, and CVS is assisting.
A local Police department called CVS about a son allegedly giving his elderly mother narcotics while in a Long Term Care facility to alter her state of mind in an attempt to get her to sign legal documents that would give him access to her finances. CVS staff contacted the Long Term Care Ombudsman and found that they were not aware of the report. It was not clear who was investigating the case, and CVS assisted in clarifying the process with the detective. It was determined that the son was giving his mother prescribed medication but in wrong dosages, and he was banned from the facility. The victim’s grandson and his wife are seeking legal guardianship. The son is described as being abusive with his mother for money. The case is closed without prosecution and CVS has assisted the family in the process.
A son called to report his mother was a victim of a scam that stated she won a new car and money. She had followed their instructions by cashing their fraudulent check and sending the money to them. When the scam’s bad check “bounced” the bank seized her minimal assets and then she couldn’t buy food and medications. Victim Ministry provided her with trauma support and financial assistance until her bank account was repaired. Her son was grateful someone cared and could intervene when needed.
A lady fell victim to a telephone scam that almost cost her $4,000. Her son was over 100 miles away, but he noticed on-line there had been a large withdrawal from her bank account. He was unable to quickly reach his mother so he called for help. Fortunately, the scam was stopped by an attentive Western Union employee. Victim Ministry assisted law enforcement with information and visited the elder victim to provide her and her distant son information and comfort, assuring the son that there are local people who care.
An elder man was the victim of Identity theft in which $400 was taken from his bank account. He was confused about how and why this happened and Victim Ministry provided listening, ongoing emotional support, and bought critical medication for him.
Victim Ministry received a call from the sister of a 66-year-old lady that was just released from the hospital. When she got home she found her refrigerator and her checking account had been emptied by her daughter without permission. Victim Ministry provided her with emergency food, emotional support, and options for justice system involvement.
The Lima Police Department called Victim Ministry because a 77-year-old lady reported a theft by her neighbor. It became apparent that her grandson had moved her to Lima into an unfurnished apartment with a mattress on the floor and dog feces around her to take advantage of her Social Security money, food stamps and utility subsidies. She was taken to St. Rita’s Medical Center and treated for various medical and infection issues for several days. The domestic violence shelter, Crossroads Crisis Center, then housed her until they and Victim Ministry found, furnished, and moved her into a senior citizen apartment. CVS helped her with financial self-sufficiency issues, including direct deposit of her checks and bills, and a CVS volunteer continues to help her make new friends, go shopping, and get community services, including with Council on Aging.
A 75-year-old man walked into Crime Victim Services asking for help because he was the victim of an automobile accident that was not his fault. The driver of the other vehicle fled the scene of the crash. She was arrested and found to have no insurance. The elder man’s car was damaged beyond repair and he had been sleeping in it when he was not in a homeless shelter. This began a long term relationship involving numerous referrals to community agencies for food and other assistance. Victim Ministry helped him financially, including obtaining and furnishing an apartment, buying another vehicle, and receiving medical care. A Victim Advocate from CVS assisted him with his court case and the judge ordered $1,000 in restitution to him.
Area Agency on Aging Region 3 referred an elderly couple to Victim Ministry. There was suspicion of abuse and neglect by their live-in son but insufficient evidence. The woman survived a stroke and the man suffers from Alzheimer’s. During our visits we found that the perimeter of their home was dangerously infested with bees and wasps so Victim Ministry paid for the extermination. The woman was a retired Pastor and said she missed being able to read the Bible due to poor eye sight. A Victim Ministry volunteer visits to read the Bible to her and her husband. Relations between the son and his parents have improved thanks to the partnership of caring people from Victim Ministry, Area Agency on Aging, and Adult Protective Services.
An 83-year-old man came to the Crime Victim Services’ office in fear of his son who had been living with him. The son had filled the father’s van with their belongings to move south for the winter but the dad was not ready to leave for a few weeks. The son got angry and became verbally and physically abusive. The father fled into a corn field and using the overhead power lines as a guide found his way to a neighbor friend’s home. The neighbors weren’t home so he rested in their garage and found a coat and hat to stay warm. After a few hours he saw police cars go by so he walked home and was met by law enforcement because he had been reported missing. The son was still angry and jumped in the father’s van and left. Victim Ministry assisted the elder man and other family members with a protection order through court hearings and was instrumental in assuring that the son was served the order out of state.
The Lima Police Department contacted Victim Ministry about 2 elder sisters and 2 young grandchildren who lived with them. There was an attempted home burglary. One of the elders was in a wheel chair and she and her 8-year-old granddaughter held the door shut from the robber by backing her wheelchair against it. She yelled through the door that she had a gun and the thief left. We found the home in poor condition with ceiling collapsing, exposed plumbing and wiring, squishy carpet from cat urine leaking pipe, and an infestation of cockroaches and bugs. Victim Ministry coordinated Children Services, Adult Protective Services, Health Department, and Area Agency on Aging for Passport assistance. The landlord told us he would not do home repairs. At first upset with Children Services; the victims realized that the agencies were acting in their best interest. Children Services relocated the family to a nicer home and Passport helped with a variety of needed services. The family stayed intact, which was their main concern, and CVS is assisting.
A local Police department called CVS about a son allegedly giving his elderly mother narcotics while in a Long Term Care facility to alter her state of mind in an attempt to get her to sign legal documents that would give him access to her finances. CVS staff contacted the Long Term Care Ombudsman and found that they were not aware of the report. It was not clear who was investigating the case, and CVS assisted in clarifying the process with the detective. It was determined that the son was giving his mother prescribed medication but in wrong dosages, and he was banned from the facility. The victim’s grandson and his wife are seeking legal guardianship. The son is described as being abusive with his mother for money. The case is closed without prosecution and CVS has assisted the family in the process.
For more information, please contact:
Elysia Bush, LSW
Elder Victim Ministry Program Director
ebush@CrimeVictimServices.org
419.222.8666
Elysia Bush, LSW
Elder Victim Ministry Program Director
ebush@CrimeVictimServices.org
419.222.8666