Elder abuse is a national problem that will continue to rise with increases in the number of older adults, due to the Baby Boomer generation swelling the population 60 and older.
Estimates of the incidence of elder abuse range from 2 to 10 percent, depending on the survey method.
Data on elder abuse in domestic settings suggest that 1 in 14 incidents, excluding self-neglect, come to the attention of authorities.
Connecticut has the highest rate of reported elder abuse cases, which is almost three times the national median.
In 2006, the latest year in which reliable statistics are available, approximately 640 cases of elder abuse were opened in Fairfield County alone. Approximately 330 of these cases were in the Greater Bridgeport area.
In Connecticut, physical injury and financial abuse of the elderly and disabled are criminal offenses. Also unique to Connecticut is a mandated reporting rule for some professionals who suspect a case of elder abuse. Anyone, however, may report. Those who are not mandated to report but report in good faith, are free of liability.
Full Article and Source:
Connecticut leads nation in elder abuse cases
Estimates of the incidence of elder abuse range from 2 to 10 percent, depending on the survey method.
Data on elder abuse in domestic settings suggest that 1 in 14 incidents, excluding self-neglect, come to the attention of authorities.
Connecticut has the highest rate of reported elder abuse cases, which is almost three times the national median.
In 2006, the latest year in which reliable statistics are available, approximately 640 cases of elder abuse were opened in Fairfield County alone. Approximately 330 of these cases were in the Greater Bridgeport area.
In Connecticut, physical injury and financial abuse of the elderly and disabled are criminal offenses. Also unique to Connecticut is a mandated reporting rule for some professionals who suspect a case of elder abuse. Anyone, however, may report. Those who are not mandated to report but report in good faith, are free of liability.
Full Article and Source:
Connecticut leads nation in elder abuse cases
What happens once a report is filed? How often are the abusers punished?
ReplyDeleteI do not believe this. I believe no one has the statistics. Just as Anonymous said, it's almost impossible to get a report filed and investigated. Mostly we get slammed doors.
ReplyDeleteNo one knows the true statistics.
I do believe articles like this serve a purpose of drawing attention to elder abuse --- and that leads to funding for organizations fighting it.