Abuse

Abuse includes physical abuse, neglect, intimidation, cruel punishment, fiduciary abuse, abandonment, or other treatment with resulting physical harm or pain or mental suffering, or the deprivation by a care custodian of goods and services that is necessary to avoid physical harm or mental suffering. All health care professionals and care givers, health educators, designated employees of adult protective services agencies, and designated employees of local law enforcement agencies are required by law to report incidents of suspected abuse (physical abuse, sexual abuse, fiduciary abuse, neglect, abandonment, and isolation) of any elder or dependent adult. An immediate phone report is required to a 24-hour crisis line at the Department of Aging at 800-231-4024. A written report (Department of Social Services form SOC341) must be sent within 48 hours to either the long-term care ombudsman coordinator or to a local law enforcement agency when the abuse is alleged to have occurred in a long-term care facility. A written report (Department of Social Services form SOC341) must be sent within 48 hours to either the county adult protective services agency or to a local law enforcement agency when the abuse is alleged to have occurred anywhere else.