elder abuse Archives | Galiher DeRobertis & Waxman LLP

The state’s healthcare system is facing a growing crisis that puts the state’s kupuna—our cherished elderly residents—at serious risk. Hospitals and care facilities across the islands are struggling to fill 4,600 vacant medical staff positions. According to the Healthcare Association of Hawai’i (HAH), the situation is so severe that it’s directly affecting the quality of care for seniors. Now, healthcare leaders are sounding the alarm about the growing gap between available caregivers and the needs of the state’s aging population.

The Impact on Nursing Home Care

Nursing homes and long-term care facilities are being hit the hardest. Hawaii currently lacks more than 600 certified nurse aides and over 300 nursing assistants. Home health aides are also experiencing a 30% vacancy rate.

These roles are critical in ensuring the well-being of elderly residents. As Wes Lo, CEO of Ohana Pacific Health, told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser:

“As people age, their healthcare needs grow more complex, with potentially more severe illnesses. We are seeing greater demand for nursing home beds and home health. Certainly, the aging population is starting to catch up with us.”

In other words, seniors need more specialized care, precisely when there aren’t enough trained professionals to provide it.

Billions of dollars are lost each year to financial elder abuse, and, sadly, the damage often goes beyond the pocketbook—neglect, physical abuse, emotional and sexual abuse are rampant.

GDW attorney Anthony Carr went on the Rick Hamada Show on KHVH today to spread awareness of this critical yet little-known issue. Simply click play to hear the interview:

In 2014, the Hawai‘i Adult Protective Services branch reported 801 cases of elder abuse, but most cases go unreported, and it’s safe to say that the true number of cases last year is ten to twenty times higher. 85+ is the fastest growing age group in America, which means that the problems will only increase over the coming years.

We’ve had the unfortunate honor of litigating several elder abuse cases against local senior care homes, and as we’ve dug in and started learning more about elder abuse and some of the numbers, we learned how troubling they were and so we want to take it upon ourselves on this day to hopefully contribute to the awareness and spread some information that might help some local families make more informed decisions when they do play their loved ones in local care facilities.

—Anthony Carr, Attorney at GDW

Compounding the problem is the low public awareness of these issues. Prevention is difficult, but if we put the information out there, we can help give our seniors the protection they need and deserve. Check out our new website, with information about the issues, as well as the free Elder Abuse in Hawai‘i Guide. They have information such as what to ask a care home if you’re thinking of placing an elderly relative there, as well as community resources that can help if you think abuse may have occurred.

To learn more about this widespread problem, please click the image to the left to download a free copy of the guide, or click the following link to visit our new website: https://galiherlaw.com/elders

Tag: elder abuse

Hawai’i Caregiver Shortage Is Putting Seniors in Danger

The Impact on Nursing Home Care

Help for Victims of Elder Abuse in Hawai‘i