Elder abuse funding lower, fewer reports substantiated in CT

In 2009 CT officials received 3800 reports of elder abuse but substantiated only 446 after investigations, a rate in the bottom fifth of states reporting, according to a report by the Health I-Team. Our rate of reported abuse cases is higher than most states, but most are not fully investigated including for possible criminal referral. CT spends far less than other states on adult protective services and receives no federal money to support those services. DSS claims that CT’s focus is on meeting needs rather than punishment. Advocates for the elderly believe that the reports may be hiding a larger problem – that many elders do not report abuse, especially financial abuse, due to fear or embarrassment – and that CT needs to devote more resources to protecting the elderly.