(LOS ANGELES) Debby and Ken Bitticks were charged with the responsibility, like many in the “sandwich generation” today, of caring for their parents. Both their aging fathers moved into their home and they hired help to care for them while they worked. Ken’s father needed to be rescued from an abusive and dishonest caregiver. They were horrified when they realized that elder abuse is a growing epidemic. Unfortunately, stories of elder abuse are becoming more and more prevalent across the country.

“People over age 60 make up only one-eighth of the U.S. population, yet they constitute one of every three scam victims,” writes Sid Kirchheimer, an advisor to AARP. Telephone ploys, identity theft, get-rich-quick schemes, sweepstakes prizes—today’s hucksters have a wide-ranging repertoire of tricks in their bag.

Ed Asner, Art Linkletter, Michael Reagan, LAPD Police Chief William Bratton, L.A. Public Health Director Jonathan Fielding, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and a host of others join Debby Bitticks and Dorothy Breininger of Delphi Health Products, Inc. in a new documentary, “Saving Our Parents”, which launches this month, April 2008.

Hosted and narrated by Emmy & Golden Globe winner Ed Asner, and produced and directed by Emmy winner Jeff MacIntyre, the DVD’s mission is to protect the aging population of the country and help adult children care for their aging parents. Interviewees tell shocking stories of families deceived by predators and offer life-saving information from the country’s most trusted experts on the topic. Segments include:

• Predatory caregivers and crooked conservators
• Financial scam artists
• Neglectful nursing homes and generations living together
• Hoarding disorders that pose health risks
• Michael Reagan’s transformational experience with his father, former president Ronald Reagan and Alzheimer’s Disease
• Tips from Marc Hankin, Elder Abuse Attorney
• Inspirational tips for safe and healthy aging

AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW: All mentioned above, in addition to: Dennis Bogard, retired Chief Inspector Los Angeles Fire Dept., Dr. Sanjaya Saxena, hoarding expert, and Dr. Marion Sommers, gerontologist. Also, profiles of those featured in DVD, including Lloyd, the hoarder, and families who have dealt with elder abuse issues.

OTHER MATERIAL AVAILABLE: Organizing and safety tips, video and quotes at www.savingourparents.com, articles written, DVD reviews, Q&As;

DVD available for purchase at www.savingourparents.com for $29.95. A portion of the proceeds go toward Alzheimer’s research, and elder abuse prevention.

Tips to Prevent Elder Abuse:

William Bratton, chief of the Los Angeles Police Department advises people to stay involved with the seniors in their lives and ask specific questions. “Engage them in the details of how they’re feeling,” he says. “Ask, ‘Who did you hear from today?’ and ‘What's going on?’"

Bratton says that crooks often try to elicit credit card or bank information over the phone. So he advises people to be on alert if a caller says, “You must act now or the offer won't be any good,” or claims you've won something but have to pay for postage, handling or other charges. Use these self-defense strategies:

Watch the mail pile: Monitor how many catalogs, sweepstakes mailings, vacation home offers and investment solicitations come in. Be prepared to act if you see that number increasing. (Better yet, get your relative’s name and contact information off of the marketing lists. To learn how, go to dmachoice.org.)

Keep an eye on the Caller ID log: Is there an increase in telephone calls from unfamiliar numbers? As folks age and spend more time alone, they tend to welcome a friendly voice on the phone. Crooks take advantage of that.

Monitor purchases: Is your relative’s home filling up with new purchases, particularly expensive ones? If so, someone could be hitting him with a scam in which he must make purchases for the opportunity to “win big.”

Take stock: Before you bring in any outside caregivers, inventory your loved one’s possessions and financial accounts. You both need to be aware of what valuables are in the house so they don’t disappear. You’ll also need to help your relative keep track of her money.

Be wary of isolation tactics. Forced isolation is typical predatory behavior. Be wary of a caregiver who tries to separate your loved one from the rest of the family, or restrict your contact. If you live far away and telephone conversations with your relative are difficult, consider sending someone you trust to visit regularly and inform you about the situation.

You and your parents should also know:

• It’s illegal for companies to operate contests or sweepstakes that require payment for entry or to claim a prize. In fact, these companies are prohibited from even suggesting that your chances of winning will improve if you buy something.
• It’s illegal for telemarketers to ask for an upfront fee to help a person get a loan, even if they guarantee or strongly imply that the loan will be made.
• There is no reason to give your credit card number, bank account information or Social Security number to a telemarketer, even to claim an actual prize.

The best advice? Take an active role in the lives of your older family members. You are their first line of defense, so visit and stay involved. If predators see that you are present and concerned, they’ll be less likely to strike.

To view clips from the film, visit savingourparents.com.

BioBinder™ Cherished Memories-The Story of My Life is a fun and easy way to chronicle your life story and stories of your loved ones while celebrating Black History Month. Documenting your roots can create a family legacy and including your health history can save a life.

Acting Surgeon General Kenneth Moritsugu says, "Many diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease, can run in families - knowing your family health history can save your life, as well as the lives of those you love."

Tigerlily Foundation Founder (www.tigerlilyfoundation.org) Maimah Karmo says, "Not until I was diagnosed with breast cancer did I fully understand the true importance of documenting one's health history. After my diagnosis, I researched my family's health history and found no evidence of a family disposition towards breast cancer; however, I wondered whether that lack of knowledge was due to lack of documentation or was it in fact true that there was no family history. I also wondered how many women had lost their lives to this disease and others because of lack of health history documentation.

Today, as a breast cancer survivor and health advocate, who is the mother of a young daughter, I see tremendous value in creating a legacy of good health...and that starts with encouraging the recording of genetic/hereditary predispositions towards certain illnesses and diseases. We can benefit future generations by empowering them to be their best health advocate and equipping them with knowledge that can prolong and save lives".

Debby Bitticks, CEO of Delphi Health Products, Inc. says, "Getting my father's life story before he died has left me and four generations one of the greatest treasures we have, and getting our family's health history during the interview saved my sister's life."

Selma Schimmel, Founder and CEO of Vital Options International, (www.vitaloptions.org) and host of The Group Room® Cancer Talk Radio Show, says "Research shows that young black women with breast cancer may be likely carriers of the BRCA1 mutation, another reason why it is so important to know one's family medical history."

Leo LaGasse M.D., President and Co-founder, Medicine For Humanity and Professor Emeritus, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA (www.medicineforhumanity.com) says, "Improving the health of women advances the welfare of children, the family, the community and the nation." LaGasse has helped to document health histories and life stories from villagers in Africa using BioBinder™ Cherished Memories-The Story of My Life.

Dorothy Breininger, Founder and CEO of Delphi Center for Organization, says, "BioBinder™ Cherished Memories-The Story of My Life can easily store your whole family's health histories. And writing my mother's life story along with organizing her photographs was so much fun!"

Delphi Health Products, Inc. has made it easy to capture your life stories in a beautiful binder/album that includes an interview which guides you through the stages of life, a family tree, an ethical will, and a health history together with photograph and memorabilia storage.

When you purchase a BioBinder™ Cherished Memories-The Story of My Life album, Delphi Health Products, Inc. will donate a portion of the sale proceeds to the non-profit organization selected from the drop down menu on their web site.

Visit www.delphihealthproducts.com to view informational videos and free downloads or call
1-800-791-8071 for more information.