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Reporting Elder Abuse or NeglectIf 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
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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.
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.
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.