Older Lexington County residents have reason to worry.
A new study found our state is the worst in the nation for elder abuse. 
Wallethub published their 2018 study ranking states with best and worst protections against elder abuse.
South Carolina ranked last.
By the numbers
The news is especially disturbing for Lexington County’s aging population. 
In 2017, 22% of the county’s population was 60 or older, according to US Census Bureau records. 
The US senior population is expected to double to nearly 84 million in the next 32 years. That equates to 1 of every 5 people being 65 or older.
The SC Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging reported 8,648 complaints against senior care facilities in 2017. That includes 1,666 cases of abuse, neglect or exploitation. 
Those complaints came from:
• Nursing homes - 1,240
• Residential care facilities - 382
• Department of Disabilities and Special Needs - 17
• Department of Mental Health - 27
Licensed healthcare facilities have reported serious incidents involving abuse, neglect, or exploitation to DHEC 3,229 times so far in 2018. 
That’s almost double 2017’s numbers and is the highest in the nation. And that’s only the reported cases.
Up to 95% of abuse cases go unreported, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse.
What you can do
The Lieutenant Governor’s Office on Aging was created to help citizens of South Carolina connect to local resources in their communities.
Visit www.getcaresc.com to find trusted caregivers in your area. 
If you suspect someone you know or love is being mistreated, contact the Lexington County Sheriff’s Deparment immediately.
View the full study at https://wallethub.com/edu/states-with-best-elder-abuse-protection/28754/ .