Elder Law

NPR : How One States? Budget Cuts Affect Elder Abuse Investigations

By Levin & Perconti

The June 3rd edition of ?Morning Edition? on National Public Radio highlighted the devastating effects that one states? budget cuts are having on its growing elderly population. The states? budget cuts have slashed the number of caseworkers who are responsible for investigating instances of physical elder abuse and financial exploitation of the elderly. This comes at a time when the state?s elderly population is growing and cases of elder abuse are on the rise. The remaining caseworkers have found that budget cuts make it impossible to keep up with demand for investigating instances of elder abuse. Caseworkers are stretched thin and can only address "only the most really egregious" cases. They now have to investigate over the phone and they cannot see what is really taking place. To read or listen to the full report on how the budget cuts will affect the state?s elderly population, follow the link.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on June 04, 2009 (boomark / email).