The National Center on Elder Abuse estimates that two million elderly Americans are victims of elder abuse. Elder abuse can result in serious personal injuries, and even death. Many clients and their families are reluctant to file suit against the facilities that are responsible for elder abuse. However, they understand that, unless the perpetrators are held accountable, other elderly patients will suffer. Murphy & Landon’s personal injury attorneys have worked with elderly clients and their families to protect their rights in court and secure justice.
It is important for clients to have access to resources about elder abuse. The National Center for Elder Abuse (NCEA) is an important source for information. The NCEA is a national resource center dedicated to the prevention of elder abuse. It is an arm of the U.S. Administration on Aging.
If you suspect that an elderly family member or other person is being abused, there are a number of resources that you can access for information and assistance:
- The NCEA provides helpful information about the types of abuse, and what to do if you suspect abuse.
- If you live in Delaware and need information about elder abuse and how to report it, the NCEA website identifies key resources in Delaware to contact.
- The NCEA website provides a toll free number for the Delaware elder abuse hotline (800-223-9074 for suspected elder mistreatment in the home and in long-term care facilities), and the state and local agencies and offices that can be contacted.
- The NCEA website contains comparable information for Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Maryland.
- The United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) website also provides helpful information about elder abuse at: https://www.cdc.gov/. The CDC provides information about the risks and consequences of elder abuse, as well as prevention strategies. The CDC has a two-page fact sheet about understanding elder abuse, which discusses the most common types of elder abuse and offers practical advice to help prevent it.
- Important resources for Delaware residents can be found on the website for the Delaware Division of Services for Aging and Adults with Physical Disabilities. The Division has a toll free number (1-800-223-9074) and operates the Delaware Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC), which is designed to be a one-stop access point for information and services for older Delawareans.The Division also publishes a comprehensive Guide to Services for Older Delawareans and Persons with Disabilities, which is very useful.
- Delawareans can call the Aging and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) at 1-800-223-9074 if they have a concern about possible abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.
- Delaware also operates a 24-hour toll free hotline for long-term care complaints: 877-453-0012.
- Delaware has a Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program which provides opportunities for residents of long-term care facilities and their families to voice concerns about the care that patients receive. The Ombudsman program staff receives, investigates, and resolves a wide variety of concerns about conditions in long-term care facilities. The Ombudsman’s office can also be contacted at this toll free number: 1-800-223-9074. Confidentiality is strictly enforced and complaints can remain anonymous. Questions that involve public benefits, abuse, resident rights, and quality of care, are among the many issues handled by the Ombudsman program staff. Questions and complaints about elder abuse can also be directed to the Division of Long Term Care Residents Protection in New Castle County at 302-577-6661, and in Kent and Sussex Counties at 302-424-6377.
If a family member or loved one is the victim of suspected elder abuse in a nursing home, acute rehabilitation facility, or any long term or temporary care facility, in Delaware, Southeastern Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Maryland, contact Murphy & Landon for a free consultation: 302-472-8100 or toll free: 866-939-8100. Our attorneys serve clients and try cases in all three counties in Delaware: Sussex, Kent, and New Castle counties.
