Mandated Reporters of At-Risk Adult Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation

1. Mandated Reporters of At-Risk Adult Abuse, Neglect, and Exploitation

2. Who is an At-Risk Adult? O.C.G.A. § 16-5-100: • 65 and older • 18 and older with mental or physical disability

3. Mandated Reporters

4. Who is a Mandated Reporter? • Physicians licensed to practice medicine, interns, or residents • Hospital or Medical Personnel • Dentists • Licensed Psychologists and Persons Participating in Internships to Obtain Licensing • Podiatrists • Registered Professional Nurses or Licensed Practical Nurses or Nurse's Aides • Professional Counselors, Social Workers, or Marriage and Family Therapists • School Teachers • School Administrators • School Guidance Counselors, Visiting Teachers, School Social Workers, or School Psychologists • Child Welfare Agency Personnel • Child-Counseling Personnel • Child Service Organization Personnel • Law Enforcement Personnel • Reproductive Health Care Facility or Pregnancy Resource Center Personnel and Volunteers • Physical Therapists/Occupational Therapists • Day-Care personnel • Coroners/ Medical Examiners • EMS Personnel/EMT/Paramedics, Cardiac Techs or First Responder • Employees of a Public or Private Agency Engaged in Professional Health Related Services (to this population) • Clergy Members • Any employee of a Financial Institution

5. Mandated Reporters

6. Types of Abuse: Physical Abuse • Physical abuse is the use of physical force that may result in bodily injury, physical pain, or impairment. • May include, but is not limited to: • Striking • Hitting • Beating • Pushing • Shoving • Shaking • Slapping • Kicking • Pinching • Burning • Inappropriate use of drugs and physical restraints, • Force-feeding • Physical punishment of any kind

7. Signs of Possible Physical Abuse • Bruises, black eyes, welts, lacerations, and rope marks • Bone fractures, broken bones, and skull fractures • Open wounds, cuts, punctures, untreated injuries in various stages of healing • Sprains, dislocations, and internal injuries/bleeding • Broken eyeglasses/frames, physical signs of being subjected to punishment, and signs of being restrained • Laboratory findings of medication overdose or under utilization of prescribed drugs • An at-risk adult’s report of being hit, slapped, kicked, or mistreated • An at-risk adult’s sudden change in behavior • The caregiver's refusal to allow visitors to see an at-risk adult alone

8. Types of Abuse: Sexual Abuse • Sexual abuse is non-consensual sexual contact of any kind with an at-risk adult • May include, but is not limited to: • Unwanted touching • All types of sexual assault or battery, such as rape, sodomy, coerced nudity and sexually exploit photographing

9. Signs of Possible Sexual Abuse • Bruises around the breasts or genital area • Unexplained venereal disease or genital infections • Unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding • Torn, stained, or bloody underclothing • An at-risk adult’s report of being sexually assaulted or raped

10. Neglect • Neglect is the absence or omission of essential services to the degree that it harms or threatens to harm the physical or emotional health of an at-risk adult.

11. Neglect Refusal or Failure to Provide Life Necessities: • Food • Water • Clothing • Shelter • Personal Hygiene • Medicine • Comfort • Personal Safety

12. Signs of Possible Neglect • Dehydration, malnutrition, untreated bed sores, and poor personal hygiene • Unattended or untreated health problems • Hazardous or unsafe living condition/arrangements (e.g., improper wiring, no heat, or no running water) • Unsanitary and unclean living conditions (e.g. dirt, fleas, lice on person, soiled bedding, fecal/urine smell, inadequate clothing) • An at-risk adult’s report of being mistreated

13. Exploitation • Exploitation is the illegal or improper use of an at-risk adult or that person’s resources. • May include but is not limited to: • Cashing a check without authorization or permission • Forging an at-risk adult’s signature • Misusing or stealing an at-risk adult’s money or possessions • Coercing or deceiving an at-risk adult’s into signing any document • Improper use of conservatorship, guardianship or Power of Attorney

14. Signs of Possible Exploitation • Sudden changes in bank account or banking practice • The inclusion of additional names on an at-risk adult’s bank signature card • Unauthorized withdrawal of the at-risk adult’s funds using the at-risk adult’s ATM card • Abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents • Unexplained disappearance of funds or valuable possessions • Substandard care being provided or bills unpaid despite the availability of adequate financial resources

15. More Signs of Possible Exploitation • Discovery of an at-risk adult’s signature being forged for financial transactions or for the titles of his/her possessions • Sudden appearance of previously uninvolved relatives claiming their rights to an at-risk adult’s affairs and possessions • Unexplained sudden transfer of assets to a family member or someone outside the family • The provision of services that are not necessary and • An at-risk adult’s report of financial exploitation

16. Mandated Reporters “REASONABLE CAUSE TO BELIEVE” REPORT DOES NOT MEAN: INVESTIGATE, INTERROGATE, INVALIDATE, CONTAMINATE, OVERESTIMATE, EXASPERATE, ACCOMMODATE,INDOCTRINATE, INFURIATE, ELIMINATE, EVALUATE, REGULATE, PERPETUATE, SPECULATE, CONFISCATE, INGRATIATE, COMMISERATE, INCAPACITATE, CALCULATE, RECIPROCATE, EXTENUATE, OR SUBSTANTIATE.

17. Mandated Reporters ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES (APS) HEALTHCARE FACILITY REGULATION (HFR) AND LAW ENFORCEMENT

18. Adult Protective Services (APS)Abuse in the Community Call: 1-866-552-4464 - Follow Prompts www.aging.ga.gov Follow Link: Reporting Abuse Fax: 770-408-3001 ALSO CALL LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT!

19. Healthcare Facility Regulation (HFR)Abuse in Long-Term Care Facilities Call: 1-800-878-6442 www.dch.georgia.gov Follow Link: File A Complaint ALSO CALL LOCAL LAW ENFORCEMENT!

20. Law Enforcement • If emergency, call 911. • If not an emergency, call local law enforcement non-emergency number. • It is best to report to local law enforcement where the crime took place.

21. Why? Mandated Reporters GA Law As a mandated reporter It’s a crime not to report IT’S THE RIGHT THING TO DO

22. YOU MAY BE A VICTIM’S ONLY HOPE FOR HELP.

23. IF YOU SUSPECT ABUSE, REPORT IT.