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Elder Protective Services

 

Reporting Elder Abuse or Neglect

If you have reason to believe you or someone you know, age 60 or older, is being abused, neglected, or exploited, Report It!

Call the Elder Abuse Hotline
800-922-2275.

Elder abuse is any act or omission which results in serious physical or emotional injury to, or financial exploitation of, an elder.

Every individual age 60 or over living in the community who suffers physical or emotional injury, is neglected or financially exploited by a person(s) with whom he/she has an on-going relationship such as a relative, friend, or caregiver is covered by the law.

  • Physical Abuse: non-accidental use of physical force that results in bodily injury, pain, or impairment or threats of physical abuse.
  • Sexual Abuse: non-consensual sexual contact of any kind.
  • Emotional Abuse: non-accidental infliction of serious emotional injury including severe anxiety, fear, depression, or withdrawal.
  • Neglect: intentional or non-intentional failure by a caregiver to provide one or more of the necessities essential for physical, intellectual, and emotional well-being, such as food, shelter, medical, or personal care.
  • Financial Exploitation: the non-accidental act or omission by another person without the consent of the senior which causes substantial monetary or property loss to the elder, or substantial monetary or property gain to the other person
  • Self Neglect: failure or refusal by a senior to provide for one or more of his/her essential needs, including food, clothing, shelter, personal care, supervision and medical care.

Mandated Reporters

Mandated reporters subject to fine under the law for failure to report abuse include: physicians and medical interns, dentists, nurses, family counselors, probation officers, social workers, police officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, licensed psychologists, coroners, registered physical therapists and occupational therapists, podiatrists, executive directors of homemaker service agencies, and executive directors of licensed home health agencies.

Mandated reporters not subject to fine include: executive directors of Aging Services Access Points, case managers, homemakers, home health aide or other staff of home care corporations, licensed home health agencies or homemaker service agencies who are not licensed social workers, nurses or counselors, psychologists or family.

Anyone reporting alleged abuse in good faith shall not be liable in any civil or criminal action provided he/she did not inflict the abuse. The identity of the reporter is strictly confidential.

What happens after a report is made?

Once the report is determined to fall within the program statute, a Protective Services Investigator will be assigned. Protective Services staff, sensitive to the needs of seniors, will balance the mandate to protect seniors with a senior's right to self-determination. If there is reasonable cause to believe abuse has taken place, a case will be opened and protective services offered. Protective services may include home care services, medical treatment, counseling, legal services, information and support. Staff will exercise the least restrictive means of intervention, with the goal of maintaining seniors in their own homes. A competent senior has the right to accept or refuse protective services.

 

For more information about this program, Just Contact Us!