It is estimated that up to ten percent of seniors over the age of 60 are abused, neglected, or financially exploited every year. This is a substantially larger group (over 5 million), than the combined victims of domestic violence (2.3 million) and child abuse (1.25 million).
The fact that an estimated 90% of the elder abuse cases investigated involved abuse by the victim's own family and friends, maybe the most shocking statistic of all. Since victims often lack the cognitive skills needed to understand their situation, abusers can use aggressive acts and bullying to exploit the victim's hard-earned financial assets that took a lifetime to acquire. With media attention hyper-focused on domestic violence and child abuse, the elderly and those with disabilities remain the only groups of abusive crimes that do not receive designated support from the federal government. Since seniors are often abused in multiple ways and by multiple abusers, concerned family members must be on high alert for signs of deliberate acts of elder abuse.
If you believe an elderly loved one is suffering abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation at the hands of nursing home staff, in-home caregivers, would-be friends or family members, contact an experienced personal injury attorney to discuss the details of your claim. Until there is more government funding to address senior abuse and financial exploitation of the elderly, each of us has a responsibility to ensure no elder's rights are compromised.