• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Our Firm
    • About Our Firm
    • Attorney and Staff Profiles
  • Services
    • Asset & Business Planning
    • Dental Practice Law
    • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
    • Estate Planning Services
    • Family-Owned Businesses & Farms
    • Financial Planning Assistance
    • Incapacity Planning
    • IRA & Retirement Planning
    • Legacy Planning
    • LGBTQ Estate Planning
    • Medicaid and Elder Law
    • SECURE Act
    • Special Needs Planning
    • Trust Administration
  • Elder Law
    • Coping With Alzheimer’s
    • Emergency Medicaid & Nursing Home Planning
    • Guardianship & Conservatorship
    • Hospice Care
    • Medicaid Planning
    • Veteran’s Benefits
  • Resources
    • DocuBank
    • Elder Law
      • Elder Law & Medicaid Definitions
      • Elder Law Reports
      • Elder Law Resources
        • Carmel, Indiana Elder Resources
        • Fishers Indiana Elder Law Resources
        • Greenfield, Indiana Elder Law Resources
        • Greenwood Elder Resources
        • Indianapolis Elder Law Resources
        • Lawrence Elder Law Resources
        • Plainfield Elder Resources
        • Zionsville Elder Law Resources
    • Estate Planning
      • Estate Planning Checkup
      • Estate and Gift Tax Figures
      • Estate Planning Definitions
      • Estate Planning Reports
        • Advanced Estate Planning
        • Basic Estate Planning
        • Estate Planning for Niches
        • Trust Administration
      • Incapacity Planning Definitions
      • Is Your Estate Plan Outdated?
      • Top 10 Estate and Legacy Planning Techniques
    • Free Estate Planning Worksheet
    • Frequently Asked Questions
      • Asset Protection Planning
        • Business Succession Planning
      • Elder Abuse
      • Elder Law
        • Medicaid
        • Medicaid Planning
        • Planning for Long-Term Care
      • Estate Planning
        • Avoiding Estate Taxes
        • Estate Planning for Parents
        • Frequently Asked Questions for Families Without an Estate Plan
        • LGBTQ Estate Planning
        • Women and the Need for Estate Planning
      • Financial Planning
      • Incapacity Planning
      • Legacy Wealth Planning
      • Pet Planning
      • Philanthropy in Your Estate Plan
      • Probate
      • Power of Attorney
      • Small Estate Administration
      • Trusts
        • Trust Administration
        • Trust Administration
        • Serving as Executor
      • Understanding Your Social Security Retirement Benefits
      • Wills
        • Contesting a Will
    • Newsletter
    • Pre Consultation Form
    • Probate and Trust Administration
      • Bereavement Resources
      • How to Know if You Need Extra Help With Your Grieving
      • Loss Of A Loved One
      • Probate Resources
        • Carmel, Indiana Probate Resources
        • Greenfield Probate
        • Greenwood Probate
        • Indianapolis Probate
        • Plainfield Probate
        • Indiana Probate
        • Zionsville Probate
      • Things You Need To Do When a Loved One Passes Away With a Trust
      • The Mourner’s Bill of Rights
      • Things You Need To Do When a Loved One Passes Away With a Will
      • Trust Administration & Probate Definitions
  • Reviews
    • Our Reviews
    • Review Us
  • Areas We Serve
    • Boone County
      • Lebanon
      • Zionsville
    • Hamilton County
      • Carmel
      • Fishers
    • Hancock County
      • Greenfield
    • Hendricks County
      • Brownsburg
      • Plainfield
    • Johnson County
      • Franklin, Indiana
      • Greenwood
    • Marion County
      • Central Indiana
      • Indianapolis
  • Blog
  • Contact Us

Frank & Kraft, Attorneys at Law

Indianapolis Estate Planning Attorneys

CONNECT WITH US TODAY(317) 684-1100

Attend a Free Workshop
Home » Indiana Ranks in the Middle for Elder Abuse Protection

Indiana Ranks in the Middle for Elder Abuse Protection

January 28, 2019Elder Law

elder abuse

As the Baby Boomer generation moves into their retirement years, the number of older Americans continues to increase at a historic rate. In fact, the U.S. Census Bureau expects the population aged 65 and older to nearly double from 43.1 million in 2012 to 83.7 million in 2050. For the first time in history, the number of older adults (age 65 and older) is expected to outnumber their younger counterparts (age 21 and younger) that same year. With the increase in seniors, we are also experiencing a corresponding increase in elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The individual states are scrambling to initiate procedures and enact laws to combat the problem of elder abuse in the U.S. A recent study takes a look at how those states are doing with the State of Indiana ranking in the middle of the pack for elder abuse protection.

Elder Abuse Facts and Figures

To get an idea of how serious the elder abuse, neglect and exploitation problem is, considering the following facts and figures:

  • Experts believe more than one in 10 seniors will be the victim of elder abuse
  • Each year, there are over 5 million instances of financial exploitation with a senior victim
  • For every instance of elder abuse reports, as many as 14 go unreported.
  • More than 40% of nursing home residents have reported abuse, and more than 90% report that they or another resident of the facility have been neglected.
  • Research from 2010 indicates that up to half of all nursing home attendants have admitted abusing or neglecting elderly patients

The Wallet Hub Study

To get an idea of how the states are faring in their efforts to prevent elder abuse, Wallet Hub conducted a study. The study compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on 14 key indicators of elder-abuse protection in three overall categories – prevalence, resources, and protection. They then evaluated these dimensions using 14 relevant metrics. Each metric was scored on a 100-point scale, with 100 representing the “best protection against elder abuse.” The results were compiled into an overall ranking for elder abuse protection. Individual sub-category rankings were also provided for the top five and bottom five in each sub-category. The 14 metrics used in the study are as follows:

  • Prevalence – Total 40 Points
    • Share of Elder-Abuse, Gross-Neglect and Exploitation Complaints
  • Resources – Total 30 Points
    • Total Expenditures on Elder-Abuse Prevention per Resident Aged 65 & Older
    • Total Expenditures on Legal-Assistance Development per Resident Aged 65 & Older
    • Total Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Funding per Resident Aged 65 & Older
  • Protection – Total 30 Points
    • Financial Elderly-Abuse Laws
    • Eldercare Organizations & Services per Resident Aged 65 & Older
    • Presence of Elder-Abuse Forensic Centers
    • Presence of Elder Abuse Working Groups
    • Certified Volunteer Ombudsmen per Resident Aged 65 & Older
    • Frequency of Assisted-Living Facilities Inspections
    • Quality of Nursing Homes
    • Presence of Laws Allowing Surveillance Cams in Nursing Homes
    • Presence of Elder Justice Task Forces
    • Presence of Elder-Abuse Shelters

How Did Indiana Compare?

Indiana ranked 27th overall with a composite score of 46.41 out of 100.  The Commonwealth of Massachusetts garnered the first place spot in the WalletHub study with an impressive overall score of 63.68 out of 100, followed by Wisconsin with 60.66 and Nevada with a score of 59.57. Coming in at the bottom of the list were New Jersey, Wyoming, and South Carolina with scores of 19.10, 17.57, and 15.49 respectively. Indiana actually scored well in the Prevalence category, ranking 9th in the nation; however, Indiana ranked 49th and 46th in the Resources and Protection categories. Indiana also ranked low (48th) in the sub-category for “Lowest Total Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program Funding.”

If you suspect that a loved one is the victim of elder abuse, it is imperative that you speak up and act on your suspicions. Many elderly victims are reluctant to admit that they are a victim, either because they are embarrassed or because they fear retribution from the abuser on whom they may remain dependent. Consult with an experienced elder law attorney about your legal options.

Contact Indiana Elder Law Attorneys

For more information, please download our FREE estate planning worksheet. If you have questions or concerns about elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation in Indiana, contact the experienced Indiana elder law attorneys at Frank & Kraft by calling (317) 684-1100 to schedule an appointment.

  • Author
  • Recent Posts
Paul A. Kraft, Estate Planning Attorney
Paul A. Kraft, Estate Planning Attorney
Paul Kraft is Co-Founder and the senior Principal of Frank & Kraft, one of the leading law firms in Indiana in the area of estate planning as well as business and tax planning.

Mr. Kraft assists clients primarily in the areas of estate planning and administration, Medicaid planning, federal and state taxation, real estate and corporate law, bringing the added perspective of an accounting background to his work.
Paul A. Kraft, Estate Planning Attorney
Latest posts by Paul A. Kraft, Estate Planning Attorney (see all)
  • Is a Senior Life Settlement Right for Me? - February 2, 2023
  • Understanding the Annual Exclusion - January 31, 2023
  • Updated Federal Gift and Estate Tax Figures for 2023 - January 26, 2023

Other Articles You May Find Useful

Indianapolis elder law attorneys
Is a Senior Life Settlement Right for Me?
caregiver
What You Need to Know If You Are a Caregiver
Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
November is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month
Indianapolis elder law attorneys
A Pre-Paid Funeral Plan Might Not Be a Wise Choice
Indianapolis elder law attorney
How to Find the Right Caregiver for a Parent
Indianapolis elder law attorneys
What You Need to Know about Elder Financial Exploitation

Primary Sidebar

Frank & Kraft, Attorneys at Law

Download our free Estate Planning Worksheet

There's a lot that goes into setting up a comprehensive estate plan, but with our FREE worksheet, you'll be one step closer to getting yourself and your family on the path to a secure and happy future.

Follow Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkdin
  • Youtube

Blog Subscription

Where We Are

Frank & Kraft Attorneys at Law
135 N. Pennsylvania Street Suite 1100
Indianapolis, IN 46204-2485
Phone: (317) 684-1100
Fax: (317) 684-6111

See Larger MapGet directions

Office Hours

Monday8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Tuesday8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Wednesday8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Thursday8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Friday8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

Map

frankkraft_sidbr_map

Footer

  • Advantages of Working With Our Firm
  • About The American Academy
  • Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Contact Us

Connect with Us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Linkdin
  • Youtube
footer-logo

Frank & Kraft Attorneys at Law
Attorney Advertisement

© 2023 American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc.

© 2023 · American Academy of Estate Planning Attorneys, Inc. | Disclaimer | Privacy Policy | Sitemap | Contact Us