As many as 2 million seniors are abused, exploited or neglected every year, according to available statistics and surveys, and experts say that number could actually be much higher. Some research indicates that one in 10 seniors have suffered some form of abuse at least once. Unfortunately, the needs of these abuse victims are growing
As many as 2 million seniors are abused, exploited or neglected every year, according to available statistics and surveys, and experts say that number could actually be much higher. Some research indicates that one in 10 seniors have suffered some form of abuse at least once. Unfortunately, the needs of these abuse victims are growing at a time when government spending on social services is being cut on many levels. Joy Solomon, a former Manhattan assistant prosecutor who helped pioneer elder abuse shelters with the Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse Prevention, says, "My argument always is, if all you do is come in when the crisis has occurred, it is much more costly than preventative care… We're going to have to pay for it anyway." She and others experts say the first steps are to raise public awareness and train police, lawyers, criminal justice officials and others to recognize and respond to signs of abuse. A handful of centers across the country currently offer shelter, along with medical, psychological and legal help, to elderly abuse victims, but more services are desperately needed to provide sanctuary from elder abuse.
NBC News, 1/27/2013
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