A giant lobster named George, age 140, was rescued in early January from a lobster tank in an upscale New York City restaurant by the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). Acting on a tip, incredibly, PETA was able to save this elderly crustacean from being executed to pamper a palette.

After the death of my father via elder abuse, neglect and exploitation, I have been an advocate for awareness about elder abuse and its many hideous “faces.” I am stymied by the lack of concern, compassion and action in combating this terrible social ill that is costing countless lives. Though I am an animal lover myself, I was awed by the outrage of Americans at the NFL’s Michael Vick for arranging and betting on dog fighting, and people rushing to save a lobster when one in six seniors – or more – will be victims of some form of elder abuse.

Other social causes have made real progress. PETA can rescue a lobster and return it to the safety of the waters off the coast of Maine. MADD (Mothers Against Drunk Driving) has changed the laws of the land regarding drinking and driving. John Walsh, while courageously bearing the horrific pain of losing his young son, took action and succeeded in revamping our laws regarding exploited and missing kids.

Yet, families of murdered, exploited and abused seniors who have suffered tragic losses have failed to awaken the consciousness of this country. The people most vulnerable to this abuse cannot picket, march in Washington, D.C., boycott or hold a rally. Might we, as a society, take action on their behalf? Since my book, Paradise Costs – A Victim’s Daughter Fights Back Against Elder Abuse, was released, I have heard from many.
 
I have learned that everyone sees elder abuse from their own map of the world, with many family members claiming to be victims. From a personal perspective, I will not embrace the world of victimhood. My father was the victim, and he died as a result of a not-so-mysterious sequence of events that are documented in my book.

Whether our loved ones have been victimized by exploitation, guardianship or conservatorship abuse, actual physical abuse, neglect, medical, pharmaceutical or legal malfeasance, the result is the same – a beloved person has been deprived of some or all of their human rights.

So long as the plight of even one senior citizen fails to evoke action like PETA’s to protect the life of a lobster, no person in this country is safe.

Following her father's death from elder abuse, neglect and exploitation, Irene Masiello became a voice for the millions of silent or ignored victims of the deadly American pandemic that is elder abuse. Her book, “Paradise Costs — A Victim’s Daughter Fights Back Against Elder Abuse,” tells her father's tragic story and instructs readers in how they can take immediate action to stop elder abuse. For more information, see her website at www.paradisecosts.com.
© Copyright March 2009, Irene A. Masiello. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to Babyboomers.tv only.