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Rhode Island General Laws 42-66-8.1. Abuse of elderly persons – Telephone line

     

The director shall provide, for the use of the general public, a statewide toll free, twenty-four (24) hour a day, seven (7) days a week telephone line, to report abuse, neglect, exploitation and self-neglect of the elderly.

History of Section.
P.L. 1988, ch. 303, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 84, § 1; P.L. 2007, ch. 209, § 1.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 42-66-8.1

  • Abuse: means physical abuse, sexual abuse, and/or emotional abuse of an elderly person by a caregiver as defined in subsection (5). See Rhode Island General Laws 42-66-4.1
  • Exploitation: means the fraudulent or otherwise illegal, unauthorized or improper act or process of an individual, including, but not limited to, a caregiver or fiduciary, that uses the resources of an elder for monetary or personal benefit, profit, gain, or that results in depriving an elder of rightful access to, or use of, benefits, resources, belongings, or assets by use of undue influence, harassment, duress, deception, false representation or false pretenses. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-66-4.1
  • Neglect: means the willful failure by a caregiver or other person with a duty of care to provide goods or services necessary to avoid physical harm, mental harm or mental illness to an elderly person, including, but not limited to, "abandonment" (withdrawal of necessary assistance) and denial of food or health related services. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-66-4.1
  • Self-neglect: means a pattern of behavior in an elderly person that directly, imminently and significantly threatens his/her own health and/or, safety. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-66-4.1

Rhode Island General Laws 42-66.8-1. Legislative findings

     

It is found and declared as follows:

(1)  Rhode Island has one of the highest proportions of elderly persons in the nation. Persons age eighty-five (85) years old and over are the fastest growing segment of the state’s population.

(2)  A significant number of Rhode Island elderly have difficulty carrying out basic life activities, and many are at high risk for institutionalization due to chronic illness and disability.

(3)  There is a growing consumer preference for more housing and care alternatives designed specifically for persons who need assistance with basic life activities, but do not need the level of skilled nursing care and therapy that nursing homes provide.

(4)  There exists a lack of private sector initiatives to create assisted living options which are affordable to low and moderate income frail elderly and other frail persons.

(5)  It is imperative for state government and long-term health providers to develop cost effective means of caring for at-risk elderly, and in particular those low and moderate income frail elderly whose needs are appropriate for assisted living placement but who cannot afford the costs of market rate, private pay assisted living facilities.

(6)  An alternative form of housing and care must be developed in Rhode Island for low and moderate income frail elderly and other frail persons to enable them to live in a residential setting as independently as possible while achieving cost savings in the state Medicaid program.

(7)  An assisted living demonstration program, sponsored by the state through the collaboration and cooperation of the Rhode Island housing and mortgage finance corporation, the department of elderly affairs, and the department of human services, will allow the state to provide appropriate housing and care needed by frail elderly and other frail persons in Rhode Island and to evaluate the cost savings and other benefits of assisted living.

History of Section.
P.L. 1997, ch. 198, § 1.

Terms Used In Rhode Island General Laws 42-66.8-1

  • Corporation: A legal entity owned by the holders of shares of stock that have been issued, and that can own, receive, and transfer property, and carry on business in its own name.
  • Mortgage: The written agreement pledging property to a creditor as collateral for a loan.
  • Rhode Island housing: means that public corporation authorized and created by §?42-55-4. See Rhode Island General Laws 42-66.8-3