HearUSA to offer Educational Program on Elder Financial Abuse

PRLog (Press Release) - Mar. 30, 2011 - Lansing, Michigan -When film star Mickey Rooney recently testified to Congress on his own experience as a victim of financial abuse and exploitation, he put a familiar face on what has become the number one crime perpetrated against people 65 years of age and older in the United States.  Although cases of elder financial abuse often go unreported, it is anticipated that the annual financial loss by elder financial abuse victims is around $2.6 billion annually.

HearUSA of East Lansing  is offering a  program open to the public on  “Breaking the Silence: Understanding and Preventing Scams, Fraud, Ploys and  Elder Financial Abuse”on Wednesday, April 13, 2011  at 3:00pm at their location at 705 W. Lake Lansing Rd., E. Lansing, MI 48823.

“Financial abuse and exploitation is something that is becoming a bigger and bigger problem for older individuals - especially for those with hearing impairments,” states Mary Van Drie, an Audiologist at HearUSA.  “We thought it was important to provide education on this issue to build awareness so individuals are better able to protect themselves.”

The program will describe some of the most common scams, fraud and exploitation that are perpetrated against the elderly as well as prevention strategies, and is open to the community.  Those interested in attending should call HearUSA at 517 -337-2411 to reserve their space.

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About HearUSA:
HearUSA, Inc. (NYSE Amex:EAR) is the recognized leader in hearing care for the nation's top managed care organizations through its network of more than 2,000 hearing care providers and 176 company-owned centers. HearUSA is the nation's only hearing care network accredited by URAC, an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation. HearUSA is also the administrator of the AARP Hearing Care Program, designed to help millions of Americans aged 50+ who have untreated hearing loss. For more information about HearUSA visit www.hearusa.com, or go to www.hearingshop.com for a wide selection of hearing related products available for purchase on line.