Gathering in Mobile aims to decrease reports of elder abuse across Alabama [Video]

MOBILE, Ala. (WALA) – June is Elder Abuse Awareness Month and the number of reported cases in Alabama are alarming.

“It’s gone up 125% just in Alabama alone since 2013,” explained Dorothy Dorton with AARP Alabama. “Last year there were over 12-thousand reports of elder abuse and financial exploitation.”

Numbers like that make Dorton worry.

“I think it’s happens so often and what really concerns me is what we don’t hear about — you know, those instances that are never reported or someone may not realize what’s happening is elder abuse or financial exploitation,” said Dorton. “That’s what really concerns me.”

She was one of several people that gathered to raise awareness about this issue. She along with other members of the organization and other individuals that work to decrease the number of times elder abuse occurs met at a senior citizen center in Mobile for an awareness meeting.

“I came because I am a senior citizen and …