Elder abuse up in Massachusetts

The number of elderly residents being abused or neglected is on therise in Massachusetts, and advocates for the elderly say the state isnot properly funding a program that was designed to protect vulnerableseniors.  Elderservice agencies northwest of Boston say they do not have enough moneyto run the state-sanctioned protective services program, so they areforced to pull funds from other important programs. As state officialswork on next year’s budget, advocates for seniors are putting on afull-court press to draw attention to the problem. They hope more moneywill be set aside for the program next year.  “These are the mostvulnerable elders in the state,” said Sue Temper, director ofSpringwell, an elder services agency in Watertown that serves Belmontand several surrounding communities. “We need to fund a service likethis.” 

Source/more:  Boston.com, http://www.boston.com/news/local/articles/2008/04/06/elder_abuse_up_in_state/