Elder Abuse Statistics in California

Elder abuse is a rising problem in the state of California, and in other locations all across the United States.  It is important to report any suspected instances of elder abuse, as one of the major issues regarding elder abuse is that most cases are unreported.  In fact, it is estimated that for every reported case of elder abuse, there are four cases that go unreported.

California Elder Abuse Statistics

• According to the State of California Department of Justice, approximately 110,000 residents of the state live in about 1,300 licensed nursing homes. Approximately 150,000 live in 7,500 licensed residential long-term care facilities for elderly residents.  Another nearly 150,000 residents of California live in unlicensed assisted living facilities.
• The California Department of Finance estimates that the number of residents of California age 65 and up will nearly double between the years of 2010 and 2030. These are the residents who are most likely to need some form of long-term care or nursing homes.
• According to findings in 2000 by the United States Census Bureau, California’s elderly population will increase to 6.4 million by 2025, nearly doubling, which is a larger growth rate than any other state.
• The California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes reported in 2009 that 13 percent of the complaints to the state’s Office of Long-Term Care Ombudsman were complaints that involved cases of gross neglect, abuse, or exploitation at a rate of more than twice the national rate of 5 percent.

These scary statistics and projections for the future make it clear that there is an urgent need to address and fix the poor quality of care in California’s nursing home facilities.  If you have a loved one who has experienced nursing home abuse, contact the attorneys at the Peck Law Group today to get started on your case.