ElderWeb

The Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services announced that 3,257 cases of suspected elder abuse and neglect were reported in Wisconsin during 1999. That figure represents an increase of nearly 6% over the number of cases recorded in 1998. Of the reported cases in 1999, there were 9 fatalities and 363 situations that were considered life-threatening cases.

"Elder abuse is a crime that often goes unreported," said DHFS Secretary Joe Leean. "For whatever reason, be it shame, guilt, feelings of helplessness or fear, older victims of abuse often fail to seek help when they are being hurt." The Secretary noted that his department has made a concerted effort to provide extensive training to health care workers, law enforcement and social workers to make it easier to spot cases of elder abuse.

"We want to make it easier to identify these cases of possible abuse and let victims know that there is help and it?s okay to get it. We also must work with families and communities to prevent abuse of our elderly citizens," Leean said.

The Secretary added that the 6% rise in reported cases over 1998 is a smaller increase than 1998?s 22% rise in reported cases over 1997. "The big jump between 1997 and 1998 coincided with the beginning of our public information efforts," Leean said.

Four categories of elder abuse are defined in Wisconsin law. According to the law, elder abuse occurs when a person aged 60 or older is subjected to material abuse, neglect, self-neglect or physical abuse, which includes sexual assault. State law mandates that each county provide a publicized phone number to receive reports of suspected elder abuse for investigation and reporting purposes. The law requires prompt investigation of all reported cases of abuse or neglect.

For more information, or a copy of the report, contact Jane Raymond, in the Department of Health and Family Services Bureau of Aging and Long Term Care Resources at (608) 266-2568.