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Abstract: 

The elderly population residing in nursing homes represents a wide and vulnerable target for sex offenders. In 2000, there were about 17,000 nursing homes in the country with a total of 1.8 million beds and approximately 1.6 million residents. Of the total 65-years-old and over population, only about 4.5% live in nursing homes. However, of the elderly population over 85-years-old, about 18.2% live in nursing homes. The average age of admission in 1997 was 82-years-old. Seventy-two percent of all nursing home residents 65-years-old and over are female and more than one-half of all residents have no close relatives. Only 16% of nursing home residents have a living spouse and 13% never have any visitors. In an independent study, A Perfect Cause found 380 registered sex offenders residing in 289 nursing homes in 37 states. This article deals with the consequences of this and steps being taken to protect the elderly from these possible victimizers.

Keywords: state law remedies; civil action

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