Nearly 30% of substantiated elder abuse cases involve either financial exploitation, emotional, psychological or verbal abuse.

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. Tennessee In Tennessee, abuse is defined as follows: Physical abuse: The infliction of physical pain, injury or unreasonable confinement of an adult who is unable to protect himself. Confinement: Holding another person against his or her will and / or engaging in behavior that results in a person not feeling able to move about freely. Sexual abuse: Unwanted sexual contact, involuntary exposure to sexually explicit material or language, or sexual activity with a person who is unable to give consent. Emotional abuse: Infliction of mental or emotional anguish by threat, humiliation, intimidation or other verbal or non-verbal abusive conduct. Neglect: Deprivation by a caretaker of services necessary to maintain the health and welfare of an adult or a situation in which an adult is unable to provide or obtain the services that are necessary to maintain his/her own health and welfare. Denial of access: Refusing to allow entry of an adult protective services counselor and / or law enforcement officer into a homer or facility in which assistance is needed. Financial exploitation: Misappropriate, misuse, or blocking access to property, possessions, or other assets of the rightful owners. Note: The Adult Protective Services staff of the Tennessee Department of Human Services is authorized by state law to investigate ONLY those cases involving the misappropriation by a caretaker of an impaired adult's government benefits. Here are some links for reference on elder abuse in the state of Tennessee: http://www.state.tn.us/humanserv/aps-fieldguide.pdf http://www.tennessee.gov/humanserv/adpro.htm