Definitions

For purposes of sections 17b-461-1 through 17b-461-9 (a) "Abandonment" means the desertion or wilful forsaking of an elderly person by a caretaker, or the foregoing of duties, the withdrawal or neglect of duties and obligations owed an elderly person by a caretaker or other person. (b) "Abuse" includes, but is not limited to, the wilful infliction of physical pain, injury or mental anguish, or the wilful deprivation by a caretaker of services which are necessary to maintain physical and mental health. (c) "Capacity to consent" means the ability to understand, make and communicate responsible decisions concerning one's own person. (d) "Caretaker" means"caretaker" as defined in Section 17b-450 of the Connecticut General Statutes. (e) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Social Services. (f) "Department" means the Department of Social Services. (g) "Elderly person" means any resident of Connecticut who is sixty years of age or older. (h) "Exploitation" means advantage taken of an elderly person by another person or caretaker whether for monetary, personal, or other benefit, gain or profit. (i) "Neglect" means "neglect" as defined in section 17b-450 of the Connecticut General Statutes. (j) "Protective Services" means the provision, by the state or other governmental or private organizations or individuals, of services necessary to prevent abuse, neglect, exploitation or abandonment. (k) "Report" means a complaint received by the Commissioner or his designee which presents reasonable cause to believe that an elderly person is being or has been abused, neglected exploited or abandoned. (l) "Reasonable cause" means sufficiently substantiated allegations of an elderly person's physical, mental, emotional or financial condition, and of the action or inaction of any other person(s) with regard thereto establishing a basis for suspicion or belief that the elderly person is being or has been abused, neglected, exploited or abandoned. (m) The term "services which are necessary to maintain physical and mental health" includes, but is not limited to, the provision of medical care for physical and mental health needs, the relocation of any elderly person to a facility or institution able to offer such care, assistance in personal hygiene, food, clothing, adequately heated and ventilated shelter, protection from health and safety hazards, protection from maltreatment the result of which includes, but is not limited to, malnutrition, deprivation of necessities or physical punishment, and transportation necessary to secure any of the above stated needs, except that this term shall not include taking such person into custody without consent except as provided in Sections 17b-450 to 17b-461, inclusive, of the Connecticut General Statutes.