Nursing Home Abuse

You want the best for your elderly family members, and sometimes that can mean placing them in a care facility. If your loved one lives in a nursing home, directly influencing their caretaking is more difficult. So if someone there were abusing your loved one, wouldn’t you want to find out about it and put…

While valiant efforts are continually being made to report elder abuse, sources across the board agree that it is seriously under-reported. While the reports don’t necessarily show it, an estimated one in ten elders is abused every year. In Colorado, elder abuse is defined as the mistreatment of a person who is 70 years or…

Bed sores, soiled clothing, missing dentures, and too much alone time can all seem like symptoms of old age—but it’s not that simple. They are also possible signs one of the most common forms of elder abuse: neglect. Neglect occurs when caregivers fail to fulfill responsibilities when it comes to the elder’s care. This failure…

Elder abuse is a far more common issue than most give it credit for, and while the term “abuse” often connotes a physical altercation, it’s important to note that not all cases—not even most cases—of abuse are physical. In fact, according to the Colorado Department of Human Resources, when it comes to elder abuse, Colorado…

Assuming the role of primary caregiver for an elder is a life-altering event. In many cases, the caregiver finds the experience deeply rewarding and fulfilling. However, the daily demands placed on the caregiver’s shoulders can lead to nearly debilitating levels of stress, particularly as the elder’s condition worsens with age and illness. Sadly, in these…

This month, the House of Representatives cleared legislation to enhance law enforcement efforts against crimes against elderly people. These crimes include financial exploitation, fraud, physical and emotional abuse, and neglect. This bill is called the Elder Abuse Prevention and Protection Act of 2017. This bill will implement a training program for FBI agents to investigate…

Misconception: Most elder abuse occurs in nursing homes. Fact: Most elder abuse actually occurs in the home at the hands of family members and loved ones. The sad reality is that, in almost all cases, the one mistreating the elderly person is someone whom they know and trust (e.g., a son, grandson, niece, church pastor,…

On June 15, 2017 thousands of people around the world will join in observing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) through social media, volunteer community service, and public gatherings. WEAAD is a call to action for individuals, organizations, and communities to raise awareness about the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of senior citizens. Coloradans can use…

Countless cases of elder abuse are reported across the United States annually. In Colorado, there are more than 11,000 cases of abuse, exploitation, and neglect in older adults each year—and those are just the reported cases. Many cases of elder abuse can go unreported for years. To understand the problem, and to keep your loved…

Deciding to place an elderly family member in a nursing home can be a very difficult decision, and it gets even more difficult when you’re not sure if they’re truly being taken care of. Elders may seem fine when you visit with them, but they may be hiding details of abuse for fear or embarrassment—or…