In our last post we discussed the rapidly shifting age demographics in Boston and around the country and the fact that the growing ranks of senior citizens may mean that more people will suffer from nursing home negligence.

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

The new wave of aging adults means that local care facilities may become overburdened with patients and residents. Many people may try to take advantage of a vulnerable adult, and an experienced nursing home negligence attorney can make sure that those who harm senior citizens are held accountable for their actions.

One of the most common forms of elder abuse is financial. It is not uncommon for a senior citizen to feel dependent on his or her caregivers. This dependence may make it easier for the caregivers to make an elderly person give over undue control of their finances.

"A few months later they find out they don't have a house, their bank account is cleaned out," the retirement community CEO said. "They have essentially nothing."

The most high profile recent case of elder abuse involving finances was that of Mickey Rooney. The 91-year-old famous actor said that his stepson had financially abused him and even withheld food and medicine at one point. This highlights that even prominent individuals can be exposed to elder abuse as they age and become dependent on others.

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