The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) has compiled statistics showing that between two and five million elderly individuals nationwide suffer some sort of abuse each year. Abuse can include not only physical abuse, but also sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect, and financial abuse. Those individuals who suffer from dementia, however, are at an even higher risk for abuse, simply due to difficulties with memory and other cognitive losses.
Today, about 5.3 million individuals suffer from Alzheimer’s disease in the United States. That number, however, is expected to grow exponentially in the future. By 2030, that number is projected to rise to 7.7 million people, and in 2050, 16 million people. As a result, the risks of abuse must be addressed in order to prevent the steadily growing population of Alzheimer’s patients from suffering the same abuse.
Caregiver burn-out may be a significant factor that results in abuse of dementia patients. Up to 20% of caregivers fear that they will become violent with the patients for whom they care. More importantly, international studies reveal that 34% to 62% of these caregivers abuse their dementia patients. A similar American study produced the same results; 47.3% of the caregivers surveyed abused or neglected their dementia patients in some ways.
About 60% of abuse is verbal in nature, whereas five to ten percent of abuse becomes physical. Another 14% of the abuse that occurs to dementia patients takes the form of neglect.
While some abuse and neglect cases may seem relatively straightforward to you, it can be difficult to get a long-term care facility or nursing home to take responsibility for the injuries that your loved one has sustained. The Madison abuse and neglect attorneys of Boller & Vaughan will meet with you at no cost in order to evaluate the facts relevant to your situation. Once we have heard all of these facts, we can assess your case and determine the best strategy for handling your case. Take the first step and call our office today to set up your free consultation with one of our Wisconsin abuse and neglect lawyers.
According to the National Institute of Justice, there are several different causes of elder abuse. Some abusers may feel that violence is the only way to solve a problem or get a certain income. Others, […]
Increasing incidents of elder abuse have brought an awareness of this serious issue to the forefront. As a result, there are several simple steps that anyone can take in order to prevent elder abuse, according […]
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We live in Friendship, Wisconsin, and Boller & Vaughan came to our doorstep to discuss our mother’s wrongful death claim on a Saturday morning. Not only were we pleased with the large recovery, we were so thankful to have lawyers who were willing to explain to us every twist and turn along the way. It is great to know there is a law firm that will fight for the rights of elderly people all over Wisconsin.
Mr. Boller and Ms. Vaughan were incredible in working on my case and my daughter’s case. I was out of work and in the hospital with a new baby. Mr. Boller and Ms. Vaughan protected our rights and it was a pleasure to work with them. I hope never to be in another motor vehicle accident, however, if I am and I am injured, I will contact Boller & Vaughan immediately.
I was referred to Michelle through a friend. I have never had a better experience. It took a little over a year to get my settlement but the staff there stayed in constant contact and kept me in the loop. Oh, and Michelle actually got me MORE money than we discussed. I will refer anyone to this firm. Words cannot do justice the thanks that I have for Michelle and her staff (Mary especially) thank you guys so much!
After my husband died as a result of a motor vehicle accident, Boller & Vaughan spent countless hours talking with me, meeting with me in person, and making sure that I was okay. The drunk driver who hit us did not have any insurance, and we had to make a claim through our own insurance. Boller & Vaughan was fantastic at explaining the law to me and the handling of our claims.
After my son was injured in a daycare setting, Ms. Vaughan took the time to thoroughly investigate our case and my son’s injuries. Michele was approachable and had answers to our questions. Talking with her helped to relieve many of our anxieties.
