Abuse can result from self-neglect, neglect by others and/or physical, financial, emotional or sexual exploitation. The Jefferson County Human Services department investigates abuse when a referral is received.
Abuse defined...
Physical Abuse is the willful infliction of physical pain, injury or unreasonable confinement. It includes, but is not limited to, beating, choking or burning, inappropriate medication or tying or locking a person up. It also includes sexual abuse, which occurs when a person has been forced, tricked, threatened or otherwise coerced into sexual contact against one's will.
Material Abuse, sometimes called financial exploitation, is the misuse of an elder's money or property. It includes deception, diverting income, mismanagement of funds and taking money or possessions against a person's will.
Neglect occurs when a caregiver's failure to provide adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical or dental care results in significant danger to the physical or mental health of an older person in his/her care.
Self-neglect means a significant danger to an elder person's physical or mental health because the elder person is unable or fails to provide him/herself with adequate food, shelter, clothing, medical or dental care.
To report suspected Abuse or Neglect, call 920-674-3105 (This phone line is operated on a 24-hour per day basis)
To report suspected Abuse or Neglect by staff working for a regulated entity (nursing homes, assisted living, adult day care centers), please go to the Division of Quality Assurance link under Links of Interest.
The caller's confidentiality is protected by law. No person may be found guilty of unprofessional conduct for reporting in good faith or be held civilly or criminally liable.
Elder Financial Abuse - To learn more click on the link:
