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P a g e
Persons age 65 or older are the least likely of all age groups in the nation to experience either
lethal or nonlethal forms of criminal victimization. Persons over 65 have a rate of serious lethal
crimes of 1.6 per 1,000 persons compared to a total rate of 8%.
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The Chesapeake 55+ Survey revealed that the community rated financial security as the most
important factor that affects their quality of life. There are actions that can be taken to improve
their safety and security.
Action 4.1 – Decrease food insecurity and food deserts.
Food deserts occur when there is
an area with high poverty and no access to a supermarket to purchase affordable, good quality
food.
Assist in the establishment and support of urban and community gardens, mobile
markets, community kitchens, and food hubs to increase access to nutritious food and
availability of free or reduced price food.
Provide incentives for small businesses that develop local and healthy food enterprises
in food desert areas.
Create demand for small businesses to change their business models to sell fresh and
healthy foods in local markets.
Provide education about SNAP (previously known as Food Stamps) benefits and
eliminate barriers that dissuade seniors in applying for SNAP benefits.
Action 4.2 – Create Respect for Elders and Prevent Elder Abuse
Create broad use of an abuse registry and criminal background checks used to
determine whether certain individuals should be prohibited from working with or
volunteering to help certain vulnerable populations or in certain settings, such as
financial institutions, faith based groups, community centers, home care.
Develop broad community education programs that positively change attitudes about
aging and refute myths and misconceptions to reduce the occurrence of elder abuse, or
at least increase the public outcry against it.
Provide training for employees about interacting with the aging population that reflects
the physical changes of aging and promotes health aging.
Create communication mechanisms that broadly alert the community when newly
emerging financial scams occur.
Action 4.3 – Help Older Persons Be and Feel Safe in their Community
Continue the implementation of a Triad program where the local police/sheriff
departments work cooperatively with senior citizens to prevent the victimization of the
elderly in the community.
Implement needs community involvement and citizen cooperation in block clubs,
neighborhood watch programs, and other crime prevention plans with citizens who are
willing to support such activities in their communities.
