Milwaukee Nursing Home Neglect Could Rise
Abuse shelters grow as elderly population soars
On behalf of Milwaukee personal injury attorney Ric Domnitz of Domnitz & Domnitz, S.C. posted in Nursing Home Abuse on Wednesday, January 25, 2012.
As the Baby Boomers age, the elderly population will be growing faster than it ever has before. Even now, the number of people who live to be at least 90 years old has tripled in the last 30 years. According to the Census Bureau, there are 2 million people aged 90 and above, and that number is expected to quadruple by the year 2050.
As people grow old, they often are forced to live with their children or grandchildren, particularly in the rough economy. Many also need to stay in retirement villages or nursing homes, and there have been many documented cases of nursing home abuse.
Elder abuse in general is a growing concern in this country. As people grow old, they are often mentally, physically and financially vulnerable. Advocates believe there should be more safe houses to protect the elderly from such abuse.
The first elder abuse shelter was opened in the Bronx in New York City several years ago. Now there are about a half-dozen such shelters open in the country. They are generally funded by non-profit groups, according to a USA Today article.
Unfortunately, one advocate points out, as people have aged, the percentage of people with Alzheimer’s and dementia is at an all-time high. She calls that a “recipe for disaster” in terms of the potential for elder abuse.
Sadly, abuse often goes unreported when the elderly are abused by their own caregivers. It is hoped that funding can be increased so awareness programs can become more prevalent.
Source: USA Today, “As USA grays, elder abuse risk and need for shelters grow,” Haya El Nasser, Jan. 10, 2012
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