Langga Gay

Evelyn "Langga" Gay, director of Elder Rights Project of Georgia Legal Services, spoke at the Coalition of Advocates for Georgia 's Elderly at Kennesaw University in Atlanta. Gay stated older Georgians comprise 9.6% of Georgia 's total population.

"With the growing number of older Georgians comes a growing number of victims of elder abuse. A study from the National Center on Elder Abuse estimated that only one in 14 victims of elder abuse would actually make a report. That 13 other older adults are enduring abuse and exploitation without the help they need."

"There are almost 871,000 older adults in Georgia and Federal funding covers one cent per older adult for the entire year. State funding is less than one cent per older adult. The results of abuse cost the victims emotionally and physically, but they also cost Medicare, Medicaid and other social services. Current funding is not nearly enough. Georgia must do better," she said.

Gay spoke about the need to utilize volunteers to assist older adults and the disabled with bill paying, budgeting, debt management and when necessary, a representative payee. A Money Management Program will provide services to help prevent exploitation.