Commonwealth Club of California Podcast Looking Back—Pushing Forward: A Briefing on the State of Elder Justice in a Changing America
Feb 23, 2026
Paul Greenwood, a retired San Diego deputy district attorney who led elder abuse prosecutions for 22 years and now trains law enforcement and AARP, walks through rising threats to older adults. He spotlights financial grooming, crypto and romance scams, AI deepfakes, transnational boiler rooms, APS resource gaps, bank responsibilities, and coordinated task force responses.
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Memory Care Theft Led To $97,000 Cashier Check
- Paul Greenwood described prosecuting a 97-year-old Alzheimer’s victim, Ruth, who was taken from her memory-care room to withdraw $98,000 via a coerced CD surrender at a bank.
- The teller dealt only with the charismatic taxi driver, Donald Wade, who presented a form and left with a $97,000 cashier's check paid to a co-conspirator, exposing bank-frontline failures.
Demographic Surge Is Straining Adult Protective Services
- Demographics are sharply increasing elder-vulnerable populations as 10,000 Americans turn 65 each day and by 2035 elders will outnumber children.
- This surge strains Adult Protective Services staffing, often leaving APS caseworkers covering 300–500 miles and creating large reporting gaps.
Intervene When You Spot Confused Seniors At Kiosks
- If you see an older person confused at a cryptocurrency kiosk or ATM, intervene and call law enforcement immediately.
- Greenwood urged vigilance at supermarkets and gas stations where victims are often coached by scammers to deposit cash or buy gift cards.