Elder Law

Reports Indicate Elder Abuse On The Rise

By Levin & Perconti

Hampton Roads News recently discussed a new report which suggests that more elderly individuals are being abused than before. The new information adds more weight to recent calls for improvement in the way our elderly friends and family members are protected.

Statistics have just been released which show that in some areas the reported cases of elder abuse rose 9 percent from 2008-2009. However, the yearly increase is not an aberration from the past 12 months. In the last three years, from 2007-2009, the reported cases rose by 19 percent. These are very sobering statistics. In sharing these new figures, a local manager of senior services explained one recent case of abuse involving an 87-year old Alzheimer?s patient. The woman died at the hospital after being brought in with bruises, bedsores, and suffering from extreme malnourishment.

Experts in the areas of elder care suggest do not expect the trend to go down. They believe that we will likely see a continued increased in reported cases. Of course these stats do not reflect the thousands and thousands of cases that are never reported at all.

Our Chicago nursing home attorneys at Levin & Perconti are aware that many seniors suffer in silence. The abuse, neglect, and exploitation of these vulnerable community members occurs in various locations. For example, our legal work has shown the painful effects of the abuse in nursing homes. From financial theft and emotional damage to permanent injury and death, the consequences of mistreatment are far-reaching.

Please do not allow any neglect or abuse to continue unabated. Contact a nursing home lawyer today if you know of seniors who have suffered.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on September 19, 2010 (boomark / email).