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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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New Mexico
In New Mexico, abuse means knowingly, intentionally or negligently and without justifiable cause inflicting physical pain, injury or mental anguish; or the intentional deprivation by a caretaker or other person of services necessary to maintain the mental and physical health of an adult.
In New Mexico, domestic elder abuse generally refers to any of several forms of maltreatment of an older person by someone who has a relationship with the elder such as a spouse, sibling or child.
Physical abuse is defined as the use of physical force that may result in bodily injury, physical pain or impairment. Physical abuse may include but is not limited to hitting, beating, pushing, shoving, slapping, kicking, pinching and burning. Additionally, the inappropriate use of drugs and physical restraints, force-feeding and physical punishment of any kind are examples.
Emotional and psychological abuse is the infliction of anguish, pain or distress through verbal assaults, insults, threats, intimidation, humiliation and harassment. Additionally, treating the elder like and infant or isolating an elderly person from friends and family are also examples.
Sexual abuse is defined as non-consensual sexual contact of any kind. It includes but is not limited to unwanted touching, rape, sodomy, coerced nudity and sexually explicit photographing.
Neglect or self-neglect typically means the refusal or failure to provide life necessities such as food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, medicine, comfort, personal safety and other essentials.
Abandonment is defined as desertion of an elderly person by an individual who has assumed responsibility for providing care for an elder, or by a person with physical custody.
Financial or material exploitation is defined as illegal or improper use of an elder's funds, property or assets. Examples include but are not limited to forgery, misuse or theft of an older person's money or possessions, coercing or deceiving an older person into signing any document, and the improper use of conservatorship, guardianship or power of attorney.
Here are some links for reference on elder abuse in the state of New Mexico:
http://www.nmaging.state.nm.us/
http://www.uihealthcare.com/.../research/pdf/newmexico.pdf
http://www.ago.state.nm.us/.../elderissues/elderabuse.pdf
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