2021’s States with the Best Elder-Abuse Protections

From Wallet Hub, Dec 1, 2021

Abuse happens every day and takes many forms. But vulnerable older Americans are among the easiest targets for this misconduct, especially those who are women, have disabilities and rely on others for care. By one estimate, elder abuse affects as much as 10% of the population older than 60, and many cases go unreported. Our elderly population is especially vulnerable during the COVID-19 pandemic, so it’s especially important to make sure they have adequate living conditions and don’t get taken advantage of financially.

Unless states take action to prevent further abuse, the problem will grow as America becomes an increasingly aging nation. The U.S. Census Bureau expects the population aged 65 and older to nearly double from 43.1 million in 2012 to 85.7 million in 2050, much to the credit of aging Baby Boomers who began turning 65 in 2011. And by just 2030, 1 in 5 U.S. residents will be retirement age.

Fortunately, states recognize that elder abuse is a real and growing issue. But sadly, only some are fighting hard enough to stop it. WalletHub compared the 50 states and the District of Columbia based on 16 key indicators of elder-abuse protection in 3 overall categories. Their data set ranges from the “share of elder-abuse, gross-neglect and exploitation complaints” to “financial elder-abuse laws.”

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