Help Prevent Elder Fraud and Abuse
Report Elder Abuse – Call 1-800-922-2275
A fundamental duty of government is to protect its most vulnerable population – children, the elderly, and those with physical and mental disabilities.
While anyone can and should report suspected abuse, Massachusetts requires certain professionals to report suspected abuse to the appropriate protective service agency. Those agencies conduct their threshold investigations and in turn must refer the most serious cases to the local District Attorney.
In the case of elders (persons age 60 and over), Massachusetts law requires physicians, nurses, dentists, social workers, police, firefighters, council on aging employees, assisted living personnel and others to file a report with the Department of Elder Affairs whenever they have reasonable cause to believe that an elderly person is suffering from or has died as a result of abuse.
The report must be made immediately to the Elder Abuse Hotline, 800.922.2275 (Voice/TTY)
The District Attorneys urge Massachusetts citizens to always give the benefit of the doubt to an elder’s safety.
When in doubt, REPORT!
from the Massachusetts Government website
Anyone can be a victim of financial abuse. There are lots of scam artists out there, and lots of people too willing to trust them. Seniors are often the target of these scams. The older generation is thought to be more trusting – raised to believe that a man’s word is his bond. And many have built up a nice nest egg from years of saving and investing. But by knowing what to look out for, and what not to fall for, you can keep your money and your belongings safe from greedy hands.
Physical abuse and neglect is one of the most dispicable types of crime. If you suspect abuse, take action!
Scambusters
FBI
Fraud Target: Senior Citizens
What to Look For and How to Protect Yourself and Your Family
Scam Articles
Senior Journal Alerts
National Consumer Law Center
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
The National Senior Citizens Law Center
National Council Against Health Fraud (NCAHF)
Quack Watch
National Center on Elder Abuse
Directed by the U.S. Administration on Aging, the NCEA is committed to helping national, state, and local partners in the field be fully prepared to ensure that older Americans will live with dignity, integrity, independence, and without abuse, neglect, and exploitation
nursinghomeabuse.net
Massachusetts Nursing Home Abuse Assistance
Nursing home abuse involving Massachusetts nursing homes should be reported!
Below are the names of state officials to whom you may report nursing home abuse or neglect
| State Long Term Care Ombudsman Mary McKenna State LTC Ombudsman Massachusetts Exec Office of Elder Affairs State LTC Ombudsman 1 Ashburton Place 5th Floor Boston, MA 02108-1518 Work: (617)727-7750 Fax: (617)727-9368 |
Office on Aging Jennifer Davis Carey Secretary MA Executive Office of Elder Affairs- I One Ashburton Place 5th Floor Boston, MA 02108 Work: (617)727-7750 Fax: (617)727-6944 |
| Licensure and Certifications Paul Dreyer Director of L&C Massachusetts Department of Public Health Division Health Care Quality 10 West Street, 5th Floor Boston, MA 02111 Work: (617)753-8100 Fax: (617)753-8125 |
Medicaid Fraud Unit Control Nicholas Messuri Director, MFCU Medicaid Fraud Control Unit of Massachusetts Office of the Attorney General 200 Portland Street 4th Floor Boston, MA 02114-1700 Work: (617)727-2200 Fax: (617)727-200 |
| Board of Examiners for Nursing Home Administrator Whitt Masters Board of Registration For NHA 239 Causeway Street Boston, MA 02114 Work: (617)727-9925 Fax: (617)727-2197 |
Medicaid Agency Beth Waldren Commissioner MA Division of Medical Assistance 600 Washington Street Boston, MA 02111 Work: (617)210-5690 Fax: (617)210-5697 |
| Quality Improvement Organization Kathleen McCarthy President/Chief Executive Officer Mass PRO 235 Wyman Street Waltham, MA 02451-1231 Work: (781)890-0011 Fax: (781)487-0083 |
Protection and Advocacy System Christine Griffin Executive Director Disability Law Center, Inc. 11 Beacon Street Suite 925 Boston, MA 02108 Work: (617)723-8455 Fax: (617)723-9125 |
| Adult Protective Service Agency Gregory Giuliano Director Executive Office of Elder Affairs Protective Services 1 Ashburton Place 5th Floor Boston, MA 02108 Work: (617)222-7464 Fax: (617)727-9368 |
Citizen Advocacy Group Arlene Germain MA Advocates for Nursing Home Reform 38 Banks Terrace Swampscott, MA 01907 Work: (781)890-2244 Fax: (781)890-4956 |
| Susan Walker Community Organizer Cape United Elders of Comm. Action Committee Cape United Elders 115 Enterprise Road Hyannis, MA 02601 Work: (800)845-1999 Fax: (508)775-7488 |
Susan Schneider Program Director Cape Cod & Islands Regional Program Long Term Care Ombudsman Prog 68 Route #134 South Dennis, MA 02660 Work: (508)394-4630 Fax: (508)394-3712 Area Served: Barnstable, Bourne, Brewster, Chatham, Chilmark, Dennis, Eastham, Edgartown, Falmouth, Gay Head, Harwich, Mashpee, Nantucket, Oak Bluffs, Orleans, Provincetown, Sandwich, Tisbury, Truro, Wellfleet, W Tisbury, Yarmouth areas |
… and contact an Elder Law Attorney if neccessary!