 |
| Protective Services Program |
|
|
| Protective Services Program |
| Massachusetts law defines abuse as an act or omission which results in serious physical or emotional injury to an elderly person or financial exploitation of an elderly person; or the failure, inability or resistance of an elderly person to provide him one or more of the necessities essential for physical adn emotional well-being without which the elderly person would be unable to safely remain in the community; provided, however that no person shall be considered to be abused or neglected for the sole reason that such person is furnished or relies upon treatment in accordance with the tenets and teachings of a church or religious denomination by a duly accredited practitioner thereof. Protective services agencies work under the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (M.G.L. c.19A, s.14; c.107, s.1 of the Acts of 1990 amending G.L. c.19A, s.14; and 651 CMR 5.00.) The law protects persons who are age 60 and over, living in the community, regardless of sex, race, color, creed or income. |
 |
Reportable
Conditions
Reporting Elder Abuse To Make a Report Indicators of Abuse |
|
Physical abuse: The non-accidental infliction of serious physical injury or threat of serious physical injury when it is believed the individual has the capacity and intent to carry out the threat. The individual must have a personal relationship with the elder. Sexual abuse: Sexual assault, rape, sexual misuse, sexual exploitation, or the threat of sexual abuse when the individual is believed to have the capacity and intent to carry out the threat. The individual must have a personal relationship with the elder. Emotional abuse: The non-accidental infliction of serious emotional injury when there is a relationship between abusive actions, behavior, or language and a resulting effect on the emotional state or functioning of the elder. The individual must have a personal relationship with the elder. Financial exploitation: An act or omission by a person with a personal relationship to the elder which causes substantial monetary or property loss to the elder or gain to the other person. This condition does not include gifts, acts or omissions which have the elder's informed consent or any trades or commerce declared unlawful by the Consumer Protection Law. Neglect: The failure or refusal by a caregiver to provide one or more of the necessities essential for physical, intellectual, and emotional well-being such as food, clothing, shelter, social contact, personal care, and medical care, which results in serious physical injury or when there is substantial reason to believe the failure or refusal will immediately result in serious physical injury. Self-Neglect: The inability of an elder to meet their emotional needs for food, clothing, safe and secure shelter, personal care, supervision and medical care, due to mental or physical impairments, substance abuse, or cultural or linguistic barriers; and unable to remain safely in the community without assistance.
Anonymity of the person reporting is protected. The following professionals are mandated reporters subject to fine and are required by law to report suspected cases of elder abuse:
For the communities of :
Please call Elder Home Care Services of Worcester Area at 508-756-1545 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. For the communities of:
Please call Springwell at 617-926-4100 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. During non-business hours, call the 24-hour Elder Abuse Hotline at
1-800-922-2275 to make a verbal report.
We welcome your questions or comments about our Web site. Fill out this form. |