Surge in elder abuse prompts more investigation, awareness
By Rob Shikina
Feb 21, 2011
Honolulu Deputy Prosecutor Scott Spallina recalls a case about a man beating his ailing father whose diaper was heavily soiled about two years ago.
The father sustained a detached retina and died a month later of an unrelated heart attack.
Spallina said the son was thrust unprepared into the role of full-time caregiver and became part of the 60 percent of elder abusers in Hawaii who are related to their victims. The son was sentenced to five years' probation for assault.
"Elder abuse is happening in Hawaii," said Spallina, captain of the Elder Abuse Justice Unit in the city prosecutor's office. "Unfortunately, it's a lot of family members."
For the past two years, the prosecutor's office has seen increasing numbers of elder abuse cases. In 2008 -- when former Prosecutor Peter Carlisle created the elder abuse unit -- it had 37 cases; in 2009 it had 57; and last year it had 102. By the first half of February, the unit had 22 cases, putting it on track to double last year's caseload.
Experts say the increase is probably related to drugs, the bad economy and the growing senior population.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Star Advertiser
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