A Hidden Crime

In an article by Marie-Therese Connolly in the Washington Post, the subject of elder abuse in our country was tackled. The sad reality is that there can be up to 5 million cases of neglect and abuse each year, with almost 84 percent going unreported. Our nation is also in the midst of our elder demographic growing and living longer, while our groups of caregivers are shrinking. Types of abuse can encompass not only nursing homes, but also exploitation and violence at the hands of family members.

Many elders would rather stay by themselves or with family members than go to a nursing home for the remainder of their lives. Unfortunately, their own homes can sometimes have worse conditions than those of the nursing home facilities. Even the facilities, however, can subject the residents to malnourishment, dehydration, sexual abuse, and life-threatening diseases

For the full article, click here.

With the rising number of baby boomers who are aging, the risk of negligence and abuse could reach an all-time high. Our country has been so remiss in actually making elder abuse a national priority that many of our loved of ones have been subjected to horrific crimes. Even in homes that do provide quality care, most of them are poorly understaffed. I feel this article is insightful and allows us to see how elder abuse has truly become a national problem. The truth is, we all age eventually, and none of us want to be treated so callously. If we don’t start protecting the elderly now, who ever will?