By 2030, the number of people ages 65 to 74 will grow 107 percent.

Overview What is elder abuse? Signs of abuse Myths about elder abuse Rights of vulnerable adults Maintaining connections Current laws Legislative updates Laws by state Articles of interest COMMON FORMS OF ABUSE Many people mistakenly assume that only battered paople are abused. → More TAKE ACTION "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 Gary A. Jones When Gary Jones became sick with terminal cancer, his caregiver denied him visitation with his children. → More Click on a state to begin. The current laws in that state will be displayed below. New Hampshire In the state of New Hampshire, abuse means any one of the following: Emotional abuse: The misuse of power, authority, or both, verbal harassment, or unreasonable confinement, which results or could result in the mental anguish or emotional distress of an incapacitated adult. Physical abuse: The use of physical force, which results or could result in physical injury to an incapacitated adult. Sexual abuse: Contact or interaction of a sexual nature involving an incapacitated adult without his or her informed consent. Neglect: An act or omission, which results or could result in the deprivation of essential services or supports necessary to maintain the minimum mental, emotional or physical health and safety of an incapacitated adult. Exploitation: The illegal use of an incapacitated adult's person or property for another person's profit or advantage, or the breach of a fiduciary relationship through the use of a person or a person's property for any purpose not in the proper and lawful execution of a trust, including, but not limited to, situations where a person obtains money, property, or services from an incapacitated adult through the use of undue influence, harassment, duress, deception, or fraud. Serious bodily injury: Any harm to the body, which causes or could cause severe, permanent or protracted loss of or impairment to the health or of the function of any part of the body. Self-neglect: An act or omission by an incapacitated adult, which results or could result in the deprivation of essential services or supports necessary to maintain his or her minimum mental, emotional or physical health and safety. Here are some links for reference on elder abuse in the state of New Hampshire: http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/.../161-F-mrg.htm http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/.../DEAS2003.pdf http://www.dhhs.state.nh.us/.../adult-protection.htm