Missouri's Mandated Reporting of Elder Abuse

According to Missouri's Department of Health and Senior Services, there are three things that elder abuse can be classified as. It can be classified as abuse, neglect, or likelihood of serious physical harm. While all of these classifications sounds quite similar, there are some subtle differences. The Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services defines abuse as " the infliction of physical, sexual, or emotional injury or harm including financial exploitation by any person, firm, or corporation" ("Protective Services For Adults," n.d., para. 4). Elder neglect is "the failure to provide services to an eligible adult by any person, firm, or corporation with a legal or contractual duty to do so, when such failure presents either an imminent danger to the health, safety, or welfare of the client or a substantial probability that death or serious physical harm would result"("Protective Services For Adults," n.d., para. 4). Abuse, neglect, as well as likelihood of serious physical harm are all reportable by law. ("Protective Services For Adults," n.d).
According to Sections 660.250-660.295, RSMo, adults whom are over the age of 60 and unable to protect themselves or whom are unable to adequately perform or seek a service to help meet their essential human needs are eligible candidates for Adult Protective Services ("Protective Services For Adults," n.d). Other eligible candidates of Adult Protective Services include, 18 to 59 year old adults with disabilities making them unable to protect themselves or adequately perform or seek a service to help meet their essential human needs ("Protective Services For Adults," n.d). 660.250-660.295, RSMo states that if there is any suspicion of abuse, neglect or likelihood of serious ...

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...ults," n.d., para. 6)
Elder abuse is a very sad reality. With an understanding of what the term elder abuse encompasses, who is at risk, what the warning signs are, the statutes that are there to protect the elderly, who is mandated to report the abuse, and how to report the abuse, it is important to minimize the crime. As with all things, the most important way to prevent something from happening is to educate, and elder abuse is no different. If care takers had education about the numerous resources there are, such as support groups and counseling, elder abuse could possibly be decreased exponentially.

Works Cited

Protective services for adults. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://health.mo.gov/living/lpha/phnursing/protectiveservices.php
Touhy, T. A., & Jett, K. (2012). Toward healthy aging: Human needs & nursing response (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Mosby.