Teacher ShelleElderly Abuse
 TOKYO — Abuse of elderly people aged 65 or over by family members rose 4.9% in fiscal 2009 from a year earlier to a record 15,615 cases, the welfare ministry said Monday. The number of people who died as a result of such abuse came to 32, up eight from the previous year, tying the record set in fiscal 2006, when the Health, Labor and Welfare Ministry began compiling relevant data. Abuse by staff of elderly care facilities, such as nursing homes and group homes, rose 8.6% to 76 cases, also an all-time high, the ministry’s nationwide survey showed. The number of consultations and warning reports on abuse of elderly people by family members, relatives and cohabitants totaled 23,404, up 7.9%, of which 15,615 cases were verified, the ministry said. Of the 32 fatalities, 17 people were murdered by caregivers, while six died as a result of family members neglecting to provide care, it said. Another five died as a result of violence inflicted by family members. Of the overall cases of abuse, 41% involved the sons of the elderly victims, the ministry said. Authorities received a total of 408 consultations or warning reports alleging abuse at care facilities, of which 76 cases, including physical and psychological as well as sexual abuse, were verified, it said. The latest survey, the fourth of its kind, was conducted under the Law on the Prevention of Elderly Abuse and Support for Attendants of Elderly Persons enforced in 2006. source: www.japantoday.com |