Elder Abuse Case Highlights Need for Better Care

Elder abuse case highlights need for better care
Thursday, Feb 28, 2008


The report from Darlington was sickening. Police have charged a man and his cousin with neglecting two elder relatives. One of the victims, the man’s 62-year-old mother, died within weeks of being rushed to the hospital along with his 84-year-old grandmother.The question people have been asking hasn’t been about the men’s guilt or innocence.
Rather, the question has been, how could such a thing happen in this day and age?

We can only speculate on the answers to that question, but one thing is certain:as the population ages, the community must become more vigilant about tending to its elders.


Already, many of our state’s seniors are in crisis, as evidenced by the outcry against cutting state funding to the Meals on Wheels program. A survey showed that 60 percent of the estimated 5,000 seniors served through the program said those home-delivered meals represented half or more of their entire daily intake of food. Often, it also may be the only consistent form of human contact they have with the outside world.Neglect — the refusal or failure by those responsible to provide food, shelter, health care or protection for a vulnerable elder — and abandonment — the desertion of a vulnerable elder by anyone who has assumed the responsibility for care or custody of that person — each are constitute elder abuse.


Anyone who suspects elder abuse, neglect or exploitation can call the National Center on Elder Abuse hotline at (800) 677-1116. And, if an elder is in immediate danger, call 911 or the local law enforcement personnel for immediate help.


(Abridged Article) SOURCE: morningnewsOnline