Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How common is elder abuse in adult homes?
A: In one survey 15% of the staff interviewed at adult homes reported witnessing abuse of the elderly. The abuse ranged from verbal abuse (yelling, cursing, threats, etc.) to punishing residents by withholding food, excess use of physical restraints, and placing difficult residents in isolation. (Testimony of Professor Catherine Hawes, PhD, "Elder Abuse in Long Term Care Facilities: What is known about prevalence, cause, and prevention," before the U.S. Senate Committee on Finance, June 18, 2002). At Williamson & Lavecchia, L.C. we have represented victims of elder abuse and neglect including a resident who was denied heat and another resident who was improperly imprisoned in a locked unit.
