Growing numbers of Wisconsinites are living longer. More people are living to the age of 90 and the number of people over the age of 65 grew over 15 percent nationwide in the past decade. Currently about 13 percent of the country's population is over 65 years old and many elderly Wisconsin residents and their advocates are worried that the growing rise in the aging population will make nursing home abuse more likely.

Nursing home abuse is part of a more general trend of elder abuse in the state. The elderly are often weak and susceptible to neglect and undue influence from those who they depend on for their care. Often abuse goes on for a long period before it is detected by loved ones and more needs to be done to stem his troubling issue.

"We estimate that as many as one in 10 seniors at some point are victims of elder abuse," said one advocate. "A victim of elder abuse can be anyone. They can be rich or poor. They can be independent. They can live in a facility."

In the nursing home context, elder abuse and neglect can take many forms including the following:

  • Physical abuse and sexual abuse
  • Improper supervision and inadequate feeding
  • Medication errors
  • Improper restraints

Possible consequences of nursing home abuse include bed sores, illness, physical harm, malnutrition, emotional trauma, and death.

An experienced nursing home negligence attorney should be contacted in any case of suspected nursing home abuse. An experienced nursing home negligence attorney can help hold the operators of the nursing home accountable and see to it that your loved one is compensated for the trauma that he or she had to endure.

Source: USA Today, "As USA grays, elder abuse risk and need for shelters grow," Haya El Nasser, Jan. 10, 2012