Utah is one of the worst states at protecting elders from abuse, study finds

By Adam Forgie

SALT LAKE CITY (KUTV) — Utah is one of the worst states in the nation when it comes to protecting senior citizens, coming in at #48 out of 51 in a new study's ranking of the 50 states and Washington, D.C.

Elder abuse of those 60 and older is a growing problem in the United States, with as many as 13 out of 14 cases going unreported. Disabled females who rely on others for care are the most vulnerable, a new WalletHub study finds.

Elder abuse affects every one in ten people age 60 and older in the country, by one estimate. The problem will only continue to grow as America's population of those 65 and older is expected to double by 2050. In 2012, there were 43.1 million Americans 65 or older. The number of senior citizens in the country is expected to hit 85.7 million by 2050.

In a new study, experts looked at 16 key metrics to determine the best and worst states when it comes to protecting America's elders. We've included the study's methodology below the list of states.

An old woman sitting in a wheelchair at the the door of an institution. (Getty Images)

The study's authors say:

Our data set ranges from elder-abuse, gross-neglect and exploitation complaints to financial elder-abuse laws.”

2020's STATES WITH THE BEST ELDER-ABUSE PROTECTIONS

1. Massachusetts
2. Wisconsin
3. Vermont
4. Michigan
5. West Virginia
   
6. Virginia
7. Washington, D.C.
8. Iowa
9. Louisiana
10. Maine
11. Wasington
12. North Carolina
13. Pennsylvania
14. Arizona
15. New York
16. Oklahoma
17. Hawaii
18. Maryland
19. New Hampshire
20. Texas
21. Rhode Island
22. Ohio
23. Alaska
24. Illinois
25. Alabama
26. Minnesota
27. Florida
28. Kentucky
29. Kansas
30. Connecticut
31. Idaho
32. Mississippi
33. North Dakota
34. Missouri
35. South Dakota
36. Indiana
37. Colorado
38. Arkansas
39. Wyoming
40. Delaware
41. Georgia
42. Oregon
43. Nebraska
44. Tennessee
45. New Mexico
46. Nevada
47. Montana
48. Utah
49. California
50. South Carolina
51. New Jersey

METHODOLOGY

Prevalence – Total Points: 40

Elder-Abuse, Gross-Neglect and Exploitation Complaints per 100,000 Residents Aged 65 & Older: Triple Weight (~24.00 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated by dividing the number of elder-abuse, gross-neglect and exploitation complaints by the number of residents aged 65 and older. “Complaints” include those made to the Office of the State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

Estimated Elder Fraud Rate: Full Weight (~8.00 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated by dividing the number of elder fraud reports by the number of elderly residents. “Elder fraud”, also called “elder financial abuse” or “elder financial exploitation”, is defined as the misappropriation or abuse of financial control in a relationship where there is an expectation of trust, resulting in harm to the elderly victim.

Elder Fraud Loss Amount per Reported Frauds: Full Weight (~8.00 Points)

Resources – Total Points: 30

Total Expenditures on Elder-Abuse Prevention per Resident Aged 65 & Older: Full Weight (~10.00 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated by dividing the total dollars spent on elder-abuse prevention by the number of residents aged 65 and older.

Total Expenditures on Legal-Assistance Development per Resident Aged 65 & Older: Full Weight (~10.00 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated by dividing the total dollars spent on legal assistance development by the number of residents aged 65 and older.

Total Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Funding per Resident Aged 65 & Older: Full Weight (~10.00 Points)
Note: This metric was calculated by dividing the total dollars spent on long-term ombudsman program funding by the number of residents aged 65 and older.

Protection – Total Points: 30

Financial Elderly-Abuse Laws: Full Weight (~3.00 Points)
Note: This is a binary metric that considers the presence or absence of such legislation.

Eldercare Organizations & Services per 100,000 Residents Aged 65 & Older: Full Weight (~3.00 Points)

Presence of Elder-Abuse Forensic Centers: Full Weight (~3.00 Points)
Note: This binary metric considers the presence or absence of Elder Abuse Forensic Centers in a state.

Presence of Elder Abuse Working Groups: Full Weight (~3.00 Points)
Note: An “Elder-Abuse Working Group” is defined by the National Long-Term Care Ombudsman Resource Center as “an entity such as a task force, council, commission, or non-profit organization, convened to address elder abuse issues at the state level.”

Certified Volunteer Ombudsmen per 100,000 Residents Aged 65 & Older: Full Weight (~3.00 Points)

Frequency of Assisted-Living Facilities Inspections: Full Weight (~3.00 Points)

Quality of Nursing Homes: Full Weight (~3.00 Points)
Note: This metric measures the share of certified nursing-home beds rated 4 or 5 stars.

Presence of Laws Allowing Surveillance Cams in Nursing Homes: Full Weight (~3.00 Points)
Note: This binary metric measures the presence or absence of state laws allowing surveillance cameras in nursing homes.

Presence of Elder Justice Task Forces: Full Weight (~3.00 Points)
Note: This binary metric measures the presence or absence of an Elder Justice Task Force in a state.

Presence of Elder-Abuse Shelters: Full Weight (~3.00 Points)
Note: This binary metrics measures the presence or absence of elder-abuse shelters in a state.

Read the full study here. 

Full Article & Source:

Utah is one of the worst states at protecting elders from abuse, study finds