Protective Services for the Elderly - Connecticut's Experience (From Abuse and Maltreatment of the Elderly, P 292-302, 1983, Jordan I Kosberg, ed. - See NCJ-91500)

• NCJ Number: 92593
• Author(s): J C Walker
• Date Published: 1983
• Length: 11 pages
• Sale Source: John Wright, PSG Inc
• Language: English
• Country: United States of America

Annotation

Investigations by the Connecticut Ombudsman Office within the Department on Aging show that abuse of the elderly occurs in all economic groups, the majority of such victims are women 80 years or older, and the majority of abusers are family members.

Abstract

In July 1977, Connecticut established its Ombudsman Office and enacted a reporting law for protection of the elderly. This office consists of a State Ombudsman and Regional Ombudsmen who recruit and train volunteer patient advocates to work in nursing homes and homes for the aged. Regional Ombudsmen also receive and investigate reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of any persons 60 years or older. Connecticut's law requires professionals and paraprofessionals who come into contact with elderly clients to report cases of abuse and neglect, but elderly individuals must give their consent before services are arranged for them. If it is felt that an elderly person lacks the capacity to give this consent, a petition for custody may be filed in probate court. The elderly person must be represented by an attorney in these proceedings. The law allows appointment of a temporary conservator for no more than 30 days under specified conditions. The Ombudsman Office also periodically reviews reports on all cases from protective services workers. Connecticut's law delineates four categories reportable to the Ombudsman: abuse which includes physical and mental harm and willful deprivation, neglect, abandonment, and exploitation. The Ombudsman Office has investigated over 3,600 cases as of June 1981, with the largest proportion involving neglect by self or the caretaker. Advanced age, alcoholism, and psychiatric problems appeared to influence family members' handling of an older person. In many cases, abuse or neglect stopped when the burden of responsibility was removed from the caretaker/abuser and ancillary services were introduced. However, many caretakers abused older persons for money, property, or assets. The paper includes four footnotes.