Toll-Free: 888-907-2631
Phone: 540-341-0007
Virginia authorities are concerned that elder abuse and neglect is on the rise in the Commonwealth – with no end in sight. The difficulties that many families are facing as they struggle to make ends meet can cause them to skimp on care, and nursing homes and assisted living facilities may have budget and staffing troubles that keep them from adequately caring for patients.
Last fiscal year the reports of elder abuse received by the Department of Social Services were up by nine percent. In the last three years, reports of elder abuse have risen 19 percent. If the trend continues, this fiscal year there will be about 12,000 elder abuse reports in Virginia – and those are only the cases that are reported. Many more Virginia elders may be suffering abuse or neglect that nobody knows about.
The problem is only expected to get worse as Virginia’s population ages. Over the next 15 years, a quarter of Virginia residents will be age 65 or older. This will put a much greater strain on the families and facilities that care for the elderly.
Unless economic conditions turn around or more is done to highlight this troubling trend, Virginia’s elders will continue to be abused or neglected.
Read More About Elder abuse is on the rise in Virginia...
