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It was just last year that the Elder Abuse Awareness Task Force was created to stop the abuse.

Since then, it's expanded providing training workshops to law enforcement and training sessions to the community.

Sara Castilleja is a senior companion.

"We visit the sick, and elderly to visit them and keep them company," said Castilleja.

At 81 years old, she's a senior herself, but she said she likes to give back to the community by helping the elder who might be in worse shape then she is.

"We laugh, we cry, we go through everything with them," she said.

Before attending the elder abuse prevention workshop, Castilleja said she didn't think she or anyone she knew had ever been a victim of abuse.

"I've heard of cases where there's been elder abuse, but I haven't seen it," she said.

But after learning that financial abuse is a type of elder abuse, she said she was once in danger of becoming a victim.

"I got a call from a supposed nephew who said he needed money to come visit me. But I didn't fall for it," she said. "I hung up on him."

Financial abuse or exploitation is one form of abuse.

Many scammers target the senior population thinking they're more likely to fall for their scheme.

Adult Protective Services said even friends and family members have tried to take advantage of the elderly financially.

"If that's occurring that's something that adult protective services can come in and investigate and help resolve," said John Lennan from the Texas Department of Family and Protective Services.

In 2010, there were 1,474 cases where the Adult Protective Services found elder either abused, neglected, or exploited in Hidalgo county and in Cameron county there were 833.

"I'm just noticing all the things that could happen to us, and I'm learning to become more aware," said Castilleja.

That's the outcome the Elder Abuse Awareness Task Force hopes for.

They hope for more community awareness and prevention of elder abuse.