Good for the elderly
Nurses are required to report suspected elder abuse in order to assist avoid and restrict these devastating consequences. As such, they are responsible for identifying the many forms of elder abuse and the different ways it manifests itself.
An elder person or disabled adult can be subjected to a criminal offense if someone knowingly and willfully exploits them by inflicting physical pain or physical injury on them, sexually abusing them, imposing mental anguish on them, unreasonably confining them, or depriving them of essential services.
In contrast to their responsibilities in child protection, where nurses are mandated to act on suspicions of abuse in many countries, nurses who are dealing with elder abuse may feel their efforts are futile because the older person who has decision-making capacity may wish to maintain the status quo and be reluctant to take things further.
According to Georgia law, elder abuse can include physical and emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial abuse, financial exploitation, and neglect. Physical and emotional abuse are also prohibited.
Contact the Department of Community Health’s Healthcare Facility Regulation at 1-800-878-6442 to report abuse, neglect, or exploitation of an older adult or adult with a disability who is a resident of a long-term care facility (i.e. community living arrangements, personal care homes, intermediate care, or skilled nursing homes).
To be clear, elder abuse is a criminal offense in the state of Georgia. An elder person or disabled adult can be subjected to a criminal offense if someone knowingly and willfully exploits them by inflicting physical pain or physical injury on them, sexually abusing them, imposing mental anguish on them, unreasonably confining them, or depriving them of essential services.
16.5-201: Neglect of a handicapped adult, senior citizen, or resident.
Using an incapable or dependent adult or that adult’s resources for the benefit or advantage of another is referred to as ″exploitation,″ and it is a criminal offense.
(6) ″Elder person″ is defined as a person 65 years of age or older who is not a resident of the community. 31-8-81 of the Georgia Code (2020). (4). (1) Any individual who is a resident of a long-term care institution is defined as someone who is receiving treatment or care there.
Passive neglect is defined as the non-willful failure to complete care-giving tasks due to insufficient caregiver knowledge, disability, or disagreement over the value of prescribed services. Self-Neglect. An adult’s incapacity to care for himself or herself owing to physical and/or mental problems is referred to as a disability.
A component of the Georgia Department of Community Health, Healthcare Facility Regulation is responsible for regulating nursing homes in the state of Georgia. Healthcare Facility Regulation (or HFR) is responsible for a variety of tasks, including the licensing, oversight, and inspection of Georgia’s numerous health-care institutions.
On the Board’s website, at www.sos.ga.gov/plb/nursing, there is an online complaint portal where you may file a complaint. A suggestion is then given to the Board.
OCGA 30-5-4 (for those who live in the community) and O.CGA 31-8-82 (for individuals who work in the community) include the requirements for required reporters (for individuals living in a long-term care facility). The reporting of abuse, neglect, and exploitation by mandated reporters is required where there is a reasonable basis to think that the reporting is necessary.
Even if the claims are untrue, the CPS has the authority to investigate them. Any suspected child abuse must be reported to the authorities by mandated reporters. It is against the law for them not to comply. Doctors, attorneys, and therapists are among those who are required to report. Of course, reports can be sent by other individuals as well.
Contact your local police and Adult Protective Services at 1-866-552-4464 – Press ″3″ or go to www.aging.ga.gov and click on the Report Elder Abuse button to report abuse, neglect, and exploitation of an older adult or handicapped adult who lives in a private house.
Residents 65 years of age and older, handicapped persons 18 years of age and older who are mentally or physically incapable or who have Alzheimer’s disease or dementia, and residents of long-term care institutions are all protected by Georgia’s specific legislation.
The federal government, states, commonwealths, territories, and the District of Columbia all have laws designed to protect older adults from elder abuse and to guide the practice of adult protective services agencies, law enforcement agencies, and other organizations that work with older adults and their families. These laws differ significantly from one state to the next.
Criminal offenses and crimes against the person are covered under Title 16.Article 8 of Chapter 5: Crimes Against the Person