Elder Abuse

What is Elder Abuse and People with Disabilities Abuse?

Oregon Revised Statute (ORS) 124.050, defines an “Elderly Person” as any person 65 years of age or older who is not a resident of a long term care facility. A “Person with a Disability” (ORS 410.040 & 410.715) is defined as a person with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities, or a brain injury caused by extrinsic forces where the injury results in the loss of cognitive, psychological, social, behavioral or physiological function for a sufficient time to affect that person’s ability to perform activities of daily living.

As described in ORS 124.050, “Abuse” includes:

  • Any physical injury to an elderly person caused by other than accidental means, or which appears to be at variance with the explanation given of the injury.
  • Other types of abuse include: Neglect of an elderly person; Abandonment, including desertion or willful forsaking or the withdrawal or neglect of duties and obligations owed an elderly person by a caretaker or other person; Willful infliction of physical pain or injury upon an elderly person; Rape, Sodomy,  Unlawful Sexual Penetration, Sexual Abuse, Public indecency, Private Indecency or Incest; Verbal abuse of an elderly or a person with a disability; Financial exploitation of an elderly or a person with a disability; Sexual abuse of an elderly person; Involuntary seclusion of an elderly person for the convenience of a caregiver or to discipline the person; and Wrongful use of a physical or chemical restraint of an elderly person.

What do I do if I Suspect Abuse, but I am not Certain?

  • Contact the non-emergency number for your local Law Enforcement and ask for guidance. (See Other Resources law enforcement section tab.)
  • Contact Seniors and People with Disabilities at the Department of Human Services (DHS).
  • Speak with your or their doctor.

How and to Whom do I Report Abuse?

Make a report by telephone or otherwise to the local office of the Department of Human Services (DHS) – Seniors and People with Disabilities, or to a Law Enforcement Agency within the county where the person making the report is located. You may also call the Long-Term Care Ombudsman at 503-378-6533 for Elderly Facility Care or 503-378-6852 for People with Disabilities Care. In an emergency dial 911.

Am I a Mandatory Reporter?

Mandatory reporters are any public or private official having reasonable cause to believe that any person 65 years of age or older, or a developmentally disabled or mentally ill adult, has suffered abuse.  More information can be found at: https://secure.sos.state.or.us/oard/viewSingleRule.action?ruleVrsnRsn=254474

Where can I get help? (See Other Resources tab)

Call 911 if you believe an Elder or Disabled Person is in immediate danger.

If danger is not immediate call Non-Emergency Dispatch and request Law Enforcement to make a mandatory report. (See Other Resources law enforcement section tab.)

Call DHS Central Reporting at 855-503-7233 to make a mandatory report. (See Oregon.gov for information.)

Contact the local DHS – Senior and People with Disabilities Office  at 541-475-6773 in Madras or DHS – Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at 541-322-7554 in Bend for services and information.

File an Order of Protection for you or your parent/child/sibling’s etc. safety. Depending upon the situation you may have to file a Guardian ad Litem with the court. (See Orders of Protection tab and OregonLawHelp.)

Research legal options specific to the situation. (See Other Resources legal section tab and Courts.Oregon.)

Research resources to assist. (See Other Resources tab, OregonLawHelp, and Elder Protection Center.)

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