| Ruth is 87 years old this year and has been | | | | she was polite, and I had no reason to |
| living alone since 1997. She is in good | | | | distrust her. You could tell she was from a |
| health, however the daily chores around the | | | | good family ..." Ruth went on to justify how |
| home became increasingly difficult. Ruth | | | | quickly she was robbed of $4,200. |
| turned to her church bulletin and found a | | | | |
| 'Home Care Company' advertised. | | | | Barbara Mascio, founder of Senior Approved |
| | | | Services, states "Ruth's story was just one |
| Ruth is not unique in the fact that she is | | | | of many incidences of abuse that I learned of |
| widowed and lives alone. According to the | | | | while employed with a national home care |
| '2002 A Profile of Older Americans' published | | | | company. The stories of abuse and fraud |
| by the Administration on Aging ( 41% of women | | | | against this precious generation became the |
| age 65 and over, are widowed and live alone. | | | | driving force behind the creation of Senior |
| | | | Approved Services." |
| "The ad was in the church bulletin, I assumed | | | | |
| this was a good company," her voice cracking | | | | Senior Approved Services actively assists in |
| from the pain and embarrassment this home | | | | protecting seniors by helping to connect them |
| care service eventually caused her. | | | | with businesses that have a verified history |
| | | | of providing excellent care. "We remain |
| Unfortunately, Ruth is also not alone in the | | | | actively involved, a link between the senior |
| fact that she became victim to fraud. | | | | receiving care and the business providing the |
| According to U.S. Senator Larry Craig, past | | | | care." |
| ranking member of the U.S. Senate Special | | | | |
| Committee on Aging, 'Vulnerable elders are | | | | "We are building a nationwide network of |
| being abused, neglected and exploited within | | | | services, resources and products that seniors |
| their own homes and communities at an a | | | | and their family caregivers can feel safe in |
| alarming rate.' | | | | contracting with. We are inviting all those |
| | | | concerned with the right of all seniors to |
| "The lady they sent to me was well groomed, | | | | receive excellent and safe care to help. |