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The newspaper's investigation found that of the 107 Type A citations that were issued over the past three years, only seven were prosecuted as crimes. Type A citations are the most serious that the state issues and are reserved for severe neglect or abuse that typically leads to severe injuries or death of residents.

The newspaper found that so few were prosecuted due to a combination of complicated system and the lack of will. The state attorney general is notified of all Type A citations, but must get the permission of local prosecutors to prosecute them as a crime. Most local prosecutors are never informed of the cases. In addition, the investigation found that at least five of the cases over the past three years were never even properly delivered to the attorney general.

Though this investigation focused on Kentucky, there is a similar lack of will to prosecute nursing home staff and administrators throughout the country. This is why it is important for nursing home residents and their families to be diligent in detecting and preventing abuse and neglect.

For more information on nursing home abuse and neglect, please visit the Nursing Home Advocates.

Issues Discussed in the Post:

Nursing Home Neglect and Abuse

Nursing Home Injuries

Nursing Home Deaths

Nursing Home Abuse Detection

Nursing Home Abuse Prevention

The center was founded five years ago and is helping to raise awareness of the chronically neglected crime of elder abuse. "We say elder abuse is 20 years behind both domestic violence and child abuse," said Mary Twomey, co-director of the Center. "Elder abuse is finally getting the attention it deserves. People don't like to talk about getting old and about crimes against older people."

Research by the center has greatly increased understanding of elder abuse, both in private homes and in nursing homes and assisted living facilities. According to the center's research, the most common types of elder abuse by others are neglect and financial exploitation.

The center has also done groundbreaking research on bruising in the elderly, which can help us to better detect physical abuse in nursing homes. According to the research, most elders can remember the incident that caused the abuse, even those with memory disorders.

For more information on the Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse and Neglect, please visit their website. For more information on detecting and reporting nursing home abuse, visit the Nursing Home Advocates.

Topics Discussed in This Post:

Nursing Home Injuries

Financial Exploitation

Physical Abuse in Nursing Homes

Alzheimer's Disease Linked to Physical Abuse

The core message of this year's World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is "Never ignore elder abuse."  The IPNEA says most elder abuse is hidden and caused by ageism and is working to expose abuse and fight ageism.

The IPNEA said the following in annoucing this year's World Elder Abuse Awareness Day:

Throughout the world, abuse and neglect of older persons is largely under-recognized or treated as an unspoken problem. Unfortunately, no community or country in the world is immune from this costly, public health and human rights crisis. Research indicates that public education campaigns like World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) are vital for informing people in a growing number of countries about elder abuse and active involvement of the media is central to its success.

According to the IPNEA, 4% to 6% of all elderly people have experienced some form of abuse in the home.  This percentage is much higher for elderly people in nursing homes and assisted living facilities, as 36% of nursing home staff say they have witnessed physical abuse in the last year, 10% admit to committing physical abuse themselves, and 40% say they have psychologically abused residents.

For more information on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and elder abuse in general, please visit the following resources:

• INPEA
• National Center on Elder Abuse
• National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life
• Administration on Aging

If you believe a loved one has been the victim of abuse, neglect, or exploitation while in a nursing home or assisted living facility, you should visit Solomon & Relihan's Nursing Home Advocates website.