Elder abuse and elderly abuse is all too common in this day and age. Whether it be through negligence in providing services to people in need of care, or through deliberate malice of a criminal mind, people too old and frail to fight back are regularly taken advantage of.

Incidents of elder abuse are rising. While statistics are few and far between, it is estimated that “between 1 million and 2 million Americans age 65 or older have been injured, exploited, or otherwise mistreated by someone on whom they depended for care or protection. "The frequency of occurrence of elder mistreatment will undoubtedly increase over the next several decades, as the population ages” (National Research Council, 2003). A 2004 survey of adult protective services showed a 19.7 percent increase in reports of elder and vulnerable adult abuse and neglect and a 15.6 percent increase in substantiated cases since 2000 (NCEA, 2006)

Negligence is the most common form of abuse to the elderly. All too often you will see news stations doing undercover camera investigations on care facilities. Most people who have their family members placed in retirement centers desire the best for those they love and sometimes it is not delivered as promised by the center. Overcrowding and understaffing in an effort to increase profit margins has been such a problem, that the government has had to step in and mandate certain ratios of staff and patients.

Still, abuse can take many forms:
Physical - lack of taking care of things like housecleaning, sufficient medical supplies, and sparse hygene assistance.
Mental or emotional - such as being ignored, verbally abused, lack of mental excercises.

Abuse is not only found in care centers, retirement communities, and the like, but is very often found in the home of the guardian. Guardianship is granted by the state to the gaurdian after the state has decided that the ward is incapable of making correct decisions on their own. The guardian is then granted permission to use the property, finances, and other assets of the ward for the benefit of the ward. Sometimes, however, the guardian may take advantage of the situation.

The elderly deserve true "golden years" for their sacrifices... they deserve to live their latter days in peace, comfort, and security, away from malicious influences. These are their last days and should be spent in happy reflection, not abuse. 

Act now to have a senior services investigator contact you to discuss your case, and put an end to this unacceptable situation.

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