Protective Services for Senior Citizens Focus on Counterfeit Drug Scams
Instances of elderly exploitation are rising and protective services in Pike County are taking a lead in educating senior citizens to avoid counterfeit drug scams.
Providing services for senior citizens over the age of 60, Robin LoDolce, the Executive Director for the Pike aging office, is concerned about the recent trends in exploitation, reports the Pocono Record.
“Our reports of need for protective services are up this year from previous years, and financial exploitation seems to have doubled. We have handled as many cases of exploitation in the last six months as we dealt with all last year,” LoDolce said.
The aging office is focusing currently on rogue online pharmacies selling counterfeit drugs by educating seniors and their families about the rise in senior exploitation through lectures and on its website. Due to the availability of online and mail order prescription purchase methods, instances of counterfeit drugs are increasing.
Seniors are educated to examine their medication for unusual things, different shapes and tastes, broken seals and unusual side effects and are encouraged to contact the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy if they are unsure about a prescription provider.
The Pike County Agency has more information for seniors on its website at www.pikeaaa.org or by calling 570-775-5550.