Abuse and Neglect Of Elderly
Persons - Maryland Law
Under Maryland law any health practitioner,
police officer, or human service worker who has reason to believe that a
vulnerable adult is in danger is required to report that fact to the
local department of social services. Any concerned person may make
such a report.
The purpose of the law is to
prevent or remedy neglect, self-neglect, abuse, or exploitation of
vulnerable adults who are unable to protect their own interests and are at
risk of immediate harm to their own person or to others. The
following definitions are very important
- Vulnerable Adult - a person aged 18 or over who lacks the
physical or mental capacity to provide for her or his daily needs.
- Neglect - the willful deprivation of adequate food, clothing,
medical treatment, or habilitative therapy, shelter, or supervision
from a vulnerable adult;
- Self-Neglect - the inability of a vulnerable adult to provide
for his/her physical or mental health and well-being;
- Abuse - the sustaining of any physical injury by a vulnerable
adult as a result of cruel or inhumane treatment or as a result of a
malicious act by any person;
- Exploitation - any action which involves the misuse of a
vulnerable adult’s funds, property, or person.
Anyone who is a victim of any of these types of treatment, or anyone
thinks that someone else is, can contact the Adult Protective Services
office at their local Department of Social Services. or can call the
Maryland Department of Human Resources at 1-800-917-7383. You can
find the address and phone number of your local Department of Social
Services at the state Department
of Human resources web site.
What are some signs of abuse?
The items on this list are not proof of abuse, but could be clues
that there is abuse, neglect, or exploitation. Any one, or many of
the things on this list can occur for many reasons other than abuse or
neglect.
Physical abuse:
Physical Neglect:
Psychological Abuse:
Financial Neglect or Exploitation:
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