A recent report published in renowned journal Annals of Internal Medicine reveals a growing problem of elder abuse within nursing facilities being committed by fellow residents of such communities. According to researchers, roughly 20 percent of those residing in these types of care facilities suffer some sort of abuse from another resident.
It has been estimated that the total of Maine residents aged 85 and up will grow by approximately 90 percent by 2030. Clearly, this sizable segment of the population will place a heavy demand on the state’s long-term and residential nursing care resources which already serve a large number of the region’s seniors.
Earlier this month, the Massachusetts public health commissioner announced an initiative aimed at substantially boosting oversight of nursing facilities across the state. The initiative would establish a specialized unit designed to make surprise inspections and impose financial sanctions on facilities found to have serious problems.
