Increasing Population Leads to Rise in Elder Abuse
Rise in elder abuse and neglect. The elder population in Minnesota is rising and that means there are a lot of different activities occurring that has resulted in an increase or rise in elder abuse. This abuse ranges from physical and sexual abuse to financial abuse and neglect.
There are different types of abuse that elders may experience when they are in the care of others or even their own family members. Physical abuse, financial abuse, emotional abuse, and even sexual abuse are issues that have come about more and more in recent years, particularly at the hands of people who are supposed to be trusted with care and their affairs. The abuse occurs at nursing homes as well when trusted caregivers take advantage of the people they are taking care of.
Seniors that are experiencing sexual or physical abuse tend to show signs of abnormal confusion and frailty. They may also be malnourished and have unexplained bruises.
If a person is abusing a senior, they tend to be short tempered with the elder victim and they are very controlling.
In the area of financial exploitation, seniors around the country lose around $3 billion each year because of the abuse they experience.
Signs elders are being financially manipulated include unexplained and abrupt money transfers, as well as changes to wills and power of attorney changes without much reason to do so.
What is Reason for Rise in Abuse and Neglect?
The Minnesota Elder Justice Center said that elder abuse is a tough matter because it occurs a lot within families. That can make it hard for the victim to reach out for help, but they should as soon as they are able.
The center further states that there is some sort of abuse happening throughout the state every day of the year in either home or nursing home settings.
Statistically, one in ten senior citizens over the age of 60 has experienced or is experiencing some sort of elder abuse. Most of these cases are unreported because the elder may not be able to report the abuse or some are afraid to because their abuser may retaliate. Others may want to protect the person abusing them because they simply don’t want them to get into any trouble, despite what the abuser may be putting them through. The latter is the case when the abuser is a family member or a caregiver that they care about. Some feel that they may not be believed.
It is estimated that just one in five cases of elder abuse are reported.
Information to Help Stem the Rise in Elder Neglect and Abuse
The state of Minnesota has several resources for residents and providers, including resident bill of rights for nursing homes, bill of rights for hospice, information for assisted living facilities and supervised living facilities.
If you are interested in viewing facility and provider complaint and survey findings they are available on the MDH website. You can also use the MDH website to verify a facility license or professional credentials. There is also a link to check the Nursing Assistant Registry.
The MDH website also includes information that is meant for providers but is very helpful for caregivers and residents as well. There are nursing home training videos, nursing assistant training information, and information on the Case Mix Review, and federal nursing home regulation resources.
If you are looking for a nursing home facility or elder care provider the MDH offers information on how to find a facility. The website allows you to look for a provider based on the type of care or facility needed and by city, county and provider name.
Contact Elder Abuse and Medication Error Attorney Kenneth L. LaBore
Kenneth L. LaBore can offer you years of experience in handling nursing home abuse and neglect cases. No medication error or other abuse injury should go unnoticed and if you have been affected by this type of neglect, it is important that you get the legal advice to hold the facility accountable for their preventable neglect. Contact Kenneth L. LaBore locally at 612-743-9048 or call him toll free at 1-888-452-6589 or by email: at KLaBore@MNnursinghomeneglect.com.
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