Elder abuse on rise

Theft by family members is more common than the violent crimes that tend to make the news, a prosecutor says

By Christine Donnelly

A Honolulu prosecutor says crimes against the elderly are "starting to snowball" and that the failing economy makes senior citizens even more vulnerable.

Two recent high-profile elder abuse cases -- against a nursing home worker accused of sexually assaulting dementia patients and a son accused of beating his ailing father -- put a spotlight on violent crimes allegedly committed by caregivers, but deputy prosecuting attorney Scott M. Spallina said financial exploitation committed by relatives is more commonly reported.

"The majority of perpetrators are family members. Maybe extended family, nieces, nephews, grandkids," said Spallina, who heads the city prosecutor's elder abuse unit. "There's a lot of property theft, burglary, stolen cars. The majority of seniors still reside in their own homes, so the majority of abuse happens there." Read full article ...