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COMMON FORMS
OF ABUSE |
| Many people mistakenly assume that only battered paople are abused. |
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"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."
Dr. Margaret Mead |
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| Gary A. Jones |
| When Gary Jones became sick with terminal cancer, his caregiver denied him visitation with his children. |
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Click on a state to begin. The current laws in that state will be displayed below. |
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Massachusetts
In the state of Massachusetts, elder abuse is when a caregiver seriously harms an elderly person physically or emotionally, or steals or misuses the money or property of an elderly person. Elder abuse can also be self-inflicted if an elderly person living alone doesn't take care of his or her own basic needs.
Elder abuse can be physical abuse, emotional or verbal abuse, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, caretaker neglect or self-abuse (when a senior is living alone and doesn't properly care for him/herself).
More specifically, abuse is legally defined in Massachusetts 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 for him one or more of the necessities essential for physical and 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 being furnished or relies upon treatment in accordance with the tenets and teachings of a church or religious denomination by a duly accredited practitioner thereof.
Here are some links for reference on elder abuse in the state of Massachusetts:
http://www.massresources.org/pages.cfm?contentID=67&pageID=27&Subpages=yes
http://www.mass.gov/legis/laws/mgl/gl-19a-toc.htm
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