Protecting Seniors: How Harris County Is Battling Elder Abuse and Financial Exploitation
On the heels of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the conversation around protecting older adults has taken on renewed urgency. This annual observance shines a light on a growing, often hidden crisis affecting millions of seniors each year. It challenges communities to ask hard questions: Are we doing enough to protect our aging neighbors from neglect, exploitation, and harm? In Texas, recent changes in law and local initiatives show that steps are being taken—but awareness and action at the community level remain key.
As Texas's aging population grows, so does a grim reality: elder abuse is quietly becoming one of the most underreported crimes in Harris County. From financial scams to neglect and emotional mistreatment, seniors face mounting risks—often from those closest to them.
According to the Elder Abuse Fatality Review Team’s (EFFORT) 2021–2022 report published by the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services, approximately five million older Americans are abused annually, with elder abuse victims three times more likely to die prematurely compared to those who are not victimized. EFFORT reviewed 52 death cases within Harris County linked to suspected abuse or neglect, revealing disturbing patterns of social isolation, poor care, and financial exploitation.
A Coordinated Response to a Complex Problem
Harris County Resources for Children and Adults, originally founded in 1966 to support children under state care, now also spearheads programs for vulnerable adults through its Adult Services Division. This includes the Senior Justice Assessment Center (SJAC)—the first of its kind in Texas—and a robust public Guardianship Program. These efforts are designed to catch red flags before they become fatalities.
SJAC brings together forensic nurses, geriatricians, social workers, prosecutors, and law enforcement in one coordinated hub. “Through collaborative expert assessment and intervention, we protect the well-being of vulnerable older adults,” the agency states in its public outreach materials. The center aims to improve the quality of life for elder abuse victims, increase successful prosecution of offenders, and reduce the trauma associated with such crimes.
Their services are wide-ranging and include medical evaluations, capacity assessments, referrals to social services, and help applying for Crime Victims Compensation. All of these services are offered at no cost to Harris County residents.
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Red Flags and Risk Factors in Our Neighborhoods
The warning signs of elder abuse might not be immediately obvious—but they are there. The county’s data points to multiple social determinants of vulnerability: seniors often live alone, rely heavily on Social Security, may lack access to healthcare, or live below the poverty line. These conditions increase susceptibility not only to physical neglect but also to scams and financial exploitation.
The Adult Services division warns residents to look out for signs like unpaid bills, suspicious new “friends,” sudden changes in financial documents, or pressure to make quick financial decisions. “Pressure from known or unknown individuals to make quick financial decisions” is one of several key red flags highlighted in county publications.
According to EFFORT, a shocking 27% of reviewed death cases involved individuals who had lived in group homes prior to their deaths. Many of these facilities—particularly unlicensed boarding homes—were plagued with poor staffing, underqualified caregivers, and lack of transparency.
Solutions in Action—and a Call for Community Vigilance
EFFORT's recommendations to stem the tide of elder fatalities are both sweeping and granular. They include:
- Expanding public education for caregivers.
- Improving communication between care facilities and families.
- Increasing oversight of unlicensed group homes.
- Mandating ongoing elder abuse training for professionals.
- Encouraging more aggressive reporting by healthcare and emergency responders
On the financial front, officials urge the establishment of dedicated financial exploitation teams within Adult Protective Services, as well as better training for healthcare workers to recognize and report financial abuse
In Texas, anyone who suspects abuse or neglect of a person age 65 or older—or any vulnerable adult—must report it. Reports can be made anonymously, and every case could save a life.
Texas Legislative Session: New Laws Supporting Seniors
Among the thousands of bills filed, the 89th Texas Legislature recently addressed several areas connected to elder abuse and exploitation. New laws include tighter restrictions on notarizations to reduce fraudulent property transfers, limits on caregivers being named as life insurance beneficiaries, and provisions aimed at preventing conflicts of interest in guardianship proceedings. Lawmakers also addressed privacy concerns and other issues affecting seniors.
While these measures vary in scope, each touches on areas where older adults may face heightened risk of abuse or financial harm.
- SB 693 – Improper Notarization (Effective September 1, 2025)
Creates criminal penalties for notaries who execute notarizations without the signer present. The offense is elevated to a felony if it involves property deeds or real estate transfers, protecting seniors from fraudulent property and financial transactions. - HB 1041 – Life Insurance Fraud by Caregivers (Effective May 29, 2025)
Prohibits non-relative caregivers from being beneficiaries of life insurance policies for disabled individuals, closing a loophole often exploited in financial abuse schemes. - SB 746 – Guardianship Proceedings (Effective September 1, 2025)
Limits individuals with conflicting interests from initiating or interfering in guardianship cases, ensuring proceedings remain focused on the welfare and protection of vulnerable adults. - SB 1465 – Privacy in Guardianship and Probate Matters (Effective September 1, 2025)
Criminalizes recording or transmitting images of individuals in private spaces without consent, safeguarding seniors from invasive practices during legal disputes.
Other measures, such as SB 922 (allowing delayed disclosure of sensitive medical test results) and SB 1238 (ending the “widow’s penalty” in insurance), also support seniors’ overall well-being and financial stability.
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What You Can Do
Residents play a crucial role in protecting their older neighbors. Check in on elderly friends and family. Be alert to sudden changes in their behavior, finances, or living situations. And if something feels wrong, trust your instincts.
Referrals to Harris County’s Guardianship Program and the SJAC can only be made through partner agencies, but anyone can call the Texas Abuse Hotline at 1-800-252-5400 to report concerns.
For more information about local resources and how you can help prevent elder abuse, visit resources.harriscountytx.gov.
Stay tuned to My Neighborhood News for updates on local resources serving seniors across Harris County and beyond.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
