Victims of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation are three times more likely to die at an earlier age.

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. South Carolina In the state of South Carolina, abuse is defined as follows: Physical abuse means intentionally inflicting or allowing to be inflicted physical injury on a vulnerable adult by an act or failure to act. Physical abuse includes, but is not limited to, slapping, hitting, kicking, biting, choking, pinching, burning, actual or attempted sexual battery as defined in Section 16-3-651, use of medication outside the standards of reasonable medical practice for the purpose of controlling behavior, and unreasonable confinement. Physical abuse also includes the use of a restrictive or physically intrusive procedure to control behavior for the purpose of punishment except that a therapeutic procedure prescribed by a licensed physician or other qualified professional or that is part of a written plan of care by a licensed physician or other qualified professional is not considered physical abuse. Physical abuse does not include altercations or acts of assault between vulnerable adults. Psychological abuse means deliberately subjecting a vulnerable adult to threats or harassment or other forms of intimidating behavior causing fear, humiliation, degradation, agitation, confusion, or other forms of serious emotional distress. Exploitation means causing or requiring a vulnerable adult to engage in activity or labor, which is improper, unlawful, or against the reasonable and rational wishes of the vulnerable adult. Exploitation does not include requiring a vulnerable adult to participate in an activity or labor which is a part of a written plan of care or which is prescribed or authorized by a licensed physician attending the patient. It also can mean an improper, unlawful, or unauthorized use of the funds, assets, property, power of attorney, guardianship, or conservatorship of a vulnerable adult by a person for the profit or advantage of that person or another person; or causing a vulnerable adult to purchase goods or services for the profit or advantage of the seller or another person through: undue influence, harassment, duress, force, coercion, or swindling by overreaching, cheating, or defrauding the vulnerable adult through cunning arts or devices that delude the vulnerable adult and cause him to lose money or other property. Neglect means the failure or omission of a caregiver to provide the care, goods, or services necessary to maintain the health or safety of a vulnerable adult including, but not limited to, food, clothing, medicine, shelter, supervision, and medical services. Neglect may be repeated conduct or a single incident, which has produced or can be proven to result in serious physical or psychological harm or substantial risk of death. Noncompliance with regulatory standards alone does not constitute neglect. Neglect includes the inability of a vulnerable adult, in the absence of a caretaker, to provide for his or her own health or safety which produces or could reasonably be expected to produce serious physical or psychological harm or substantial risk of death. Here are some links for reference on elder abuse in the state of South Carolina: http://www.scstatehouse.net/code/t43c035.htm http://www.state.sc.us/dss/aps/