Topics on this page
- Mandatory Reporting
- Signs of Abuse
Mandatory Reporting
Maryland law requires health practitioners, police officers, andhuman service workers who havereason to believe that a vulnerable adult is in danger to report that fact to the local department of social services. If these individuals are acting as a staff member of a hospital or public health agency, then they must immediately notify the head of the institution. In addition, any concerned person may also make such a report.
The law's purpose 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:
- Abuse is 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 is any action involvingthe misuse of a vulnerable adult’s funds, property, or person.
- Neglectis the willful deprivation of adequate food, clothing, medical treatment, or habilitative therapy, shelter, or supervision from a vulnerable adult.
- Self-Neglect is a vulnerable adult'sinability to provide for his/her physical or mental health, which impairs or threatens theirwell-being.
- A Vulnerable Adultis a person aged 18 or over who lacks the physical or mental capacity to provide for her or his daily needs.
Read the Law: Md.Code, Family Law§ 14-101,§ 14-302
It is a crime for a household member, family member, or anyone responsible for the supervision of a vulnerable adult to neglect or abuse the vulnerable adult or intentionally and maliciously inflict severe emotional distress on the vulnerable adult. Any abuse or neglect that results in sexual abuse, serious harm, or death is afelony of abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult in the first degree and is punishable by up to 10 years in prison and/or up to $10,000 in fines. Any abuse, neglect, or infliction of severe emotional distressnot rising to first degree abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult may still be prosecuted as misdemeanor of abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult in the second degree. On conviction, this misdemeanor is punishable by up to five years in prison and/orup to $5,000 in fines.
Read the Law: Md.Code, Criminal Law §§ 3-604, 3-605
If you are a victim of these types of treatment or think that someone else is, contact:
Responding to Abuse or Neglect from the Maryland Courts
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.
Types & Signs of Abuse from the Maryland Courts
Physical Abuse
- multiple injuries
- injuries that normally would not occur together
- bruises, welts, or abrasions
- the use of physical restraints, such as tying
- burns that could come from cigarettes or immersion inwater that is too hot
- a caregiver's refusal to allow visitors to see the person alone
- lab findings indicating over-medication
Physical Neglect
- dehydration
- malnourishment without a cause related to illness
- failure to provide physical aids, such as glasses, hearing aids, or false teeth
- bed sores
- lack of compliance with medical care instructions
Signs of Neglect from the Maryland Courts
Signs of Self-Neglect from the Maryland Courts
Psychological Abuse
- statements about a caretaker that indicate fear
- threats or insults by caretaker
- caretaker talks of person as a burden
- person is withdrawn,gives short answers to questions, averts gaze
- person is not given opportunity to talk to others alone
- caregiver leaves person alone for long periods of time
- caregiver ignores person; gives "silent treatment"
- person shows signs of infantile behavior, antisocial behavior
Financial Neglect or Exploitation
- someone has the person's mail sent to their own address
- person is confused about his or her income and resources
- possessions and quality of life seems substandard given the resources the person has
- frequent or large gifts to a caregiver
- frequent checks written to caregiver
- unusual activity in bank accounts
- personal belongings missing
- person signs as surety or co-signer on loans
- someone lives with the person and refuses to leave
- numerous unpaid bills despite adequate income
- other persons added to bank accounts
Financial Exploitation from the Maryland Courts
If you are a victim of these types of treatment or think that someone else is, contact:
How to Prevent Abuse & Neglect from the Maryland Courts
FAQs
Signs of emotional and psychological abuse in elders include:
- Appearing depressed, withdrawn, or scared.
- Avoiding eye contact.
- Different eating or sleeping patterns.
- Isolation from friends and family.
- Low self-esteem.
- Mood swings.
- Sudden changes in behavior/personality.
Some types of abuse of older adults involve violation of their rights. Financial abuse is considered the most common form of abuse of older adults. Neglect can be part of abuse. Neglect involves not doing something, such as not providing the older person with food, shelter, medication, or care.
Which example of elder abuse is most clearly classified as neglect? ›
A caregiver leaving an elderly person in a cluttered, unclean house with bags of trash stacked by the front door is most clearly classified as neglect. Elder abuse can take many forms, including physical, emotional, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as neglect.
What happens if an elderly person cannot take care of themselves? ›
In many cases, a senior who is neglecting themselves must be officially deemed incompetent so that decisions can be made for them to protect their health and provide a safe and clean living environment.
What are four 4 possible signs of elder abuse? ›
Signs of elder abuse
- malnutrition and dehydration.
- poor personal hygiene or dirty clothes.
- untreated medical problems.
- fearful, anxious, withdrawn or cowed behaviour.
- unexplained and frequent injuries such as black eyes and broken bones.
- unexplained bruises or cuts on the genitals or anus.
Unusual Behavior
Giving away money, transferring assets to people, unusual spending behavior, checks being written to cash or the unexplained disappearance of cash or property are warning signs that something isn't right.
What is the most serious form of elder abuse? ›
Sexual Elder Abuse
Elder sexual abuse is a serious problem with potentially devastating consequences. Victims of sexual elder abuse may suffer from physical injuries, emotional trauma, and sexually transmitted diseases.
What is passive neglect? ›
Passive neglect is the non-willful failure to fulfill care-taking responsibilities because of inadequate caregiver knowledge, infirmity, or disputing the value of prescribed services. Self-Neglect. This is the adult's inability, due to physical and/or mental impairments, to perform tasks essential to caring for oneself ...
Who are older adults most frequently abused by? ›
Perpetrators include children, other family members, and spouses—as well as staff at nursing homes, assisted living, and other facilities. Physical abuse means inflicting physical pain or injury upon an older adult.
Which type of abuse is the most unreported? ›
Sexual abuse may be the most underreported form of abuse because adults often lure children into secrecy, shame and silence. Signs may include: Unusual interest or knowledge of sexual things – for example, a child who uses in–depth sexual play with peers (beyond “playing doctor”) Inappropriate displays of affection.
Neglect is the ongoing failure to meet a child's basic needs and the most common form of child abuse2. A child might be left hungry or dirty, or without proper clothing, shelter, supervision or health care. This can put children and young people in danger.
What types of evidence would you report for a case of elder abuse? ›
Again, on physical evidence as an officer, you want to look for bruises, rashes, and bedsores on that subject. Bedsores can be absolutely indicative of abuse or neglect. Photograph, get statements from neighbors, social workers, family members, physicians, and nurses.
What happens to elderly people with no money? ›
Elderly individuals who are unable to turn to family for financial support and have no money can become a ward of the state. This may be the case if the senior develops a health emergency and is no longer able to live alone.
How do you know if an elderly person can't live alone? ›
Changes in hygiene and appearance, memory lapses, reduced mobility, lack of housekeeping and yard work, unopened mail and unpaid bills, withdrawal from friends and activities, and mood swings are all warning signs that an elderly person may no longer be able to live alone.
What should you not say to an elderly parent? ›
What NOT to Say to Your Aging Parents
- “This isn't hard—why are you struggling to do this?” ...
- “You've already told me that.” or “We've already been through this.” ...
- “How can you not remember your own family member's name?” ...
- “What does this have to do with anything?” ...
- “I want your money/heirloom/house when you die.”
What are the ten different types of abuse?
- Physical abuse.
- Domestic violence or abuse.
- Sexual abuse.
- Psychological or emotional abuse.
- Financial or material abuse.
- Modern slavery.
- Discriminatory abuse.
- Organisational or institutional abuse.
Common signs of elder abuse include physical injuries, negative behavioral changes, or unexplained transactions. By learning about all the warning signs of elder abuse, families can be better prepared to keep their loved ones safe.
How to tell if someone is taking advantage of an elderly person? ›
Warning signs of financial exploitation
- Sudden changes in bank accounts or banking practices, including an unexplained withdrawal of large sums of money by a person accompanying the older adult.
- The inclusion of additional names on an older adult's bank signature card.
