Dear Missy,
Missy, your concerns are understood, and many people share in this worry. Having a loved one enter a nursing home can be very difficult on a family. There are many emotional, as well as logistical, problems to work through. One such problem is particularly terrifying – what happens when I’m not there? The thoughts come all too frequently and can keep you up at night. While there is no way to completely rule out any possible issue, there are protocols in place to try and make sure that our loved ones are protected when they’re at their most vulnerable. Mandated reporters are one way in which our loved ones are protected from possible abuse.
What is a mandated reporter? Mandated reporters are professionals, or their delegates, who are engaged in a host of disciplines who are required, by law, to report possible abuse of vulnerable adults to the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center. The state government will then come to investigate the report and if they find evidence of abuse, they’ll do what they can to remedy the situation.
Who are mandated reporters? A list of professions that are mandated reporters in Minnesota can be found in the statute 626.5572 Subd. 16. An abbreviated version of that list is individuals who work in: social services, law enforcement, education, the care of vulnerable adults, employees of rehabilitation centers, medical examiners and coroners, doctors, nurses, physical therapists, dentists and even veterinarians. Many professions are mandated reporters to assist in preventing abuse of vulnerable adults.
You’re probably asking, “well, who exactly is a vulnerable adult?” Vulnerable adults are defined by the legislature, and a good definition can be found on the Minnesota Department of Human Services’ website.
“A vulnerable adult can be anyone over age 18 who:
- has a physical, mental or emotional disorder that makes it difficult for the person to care for themselves without help and to protect themselves from maltreatment
- is in a hospital, nursing home, transitional care unit, assisted living, housing with services, board and care, foster care or other licensed care facility
- receives services such as home care, day services, personal care assistance or other licensed services.
This can encompass a great many individuals. The mandated reporters are supposed to look out for vulnerable adults who could be being maltreated by either a facility, a loved one, or anyone at all. Maltreatment can be broadly defined as well. Any form of abuse: physical, emotional, sexual, or financial. There is unfortunately a large array of ways in which a vulnerable adult can be abused. Mandated reporters are individuals who are supposed to be trained to look out for signs of maltreatment and then let the proper authorities know.
Why do we have mandated reporters? Legislatures long ago realized that those of us who are at our most vulnerable need to be protected. The best way in which to prevent the abuse is to incentivize people who come into close contact with vulnerable populations to report neglect. This is done through statute. Mandated reporters have a duty to report neglect. If there is a reasonable belief of mistreatment, they must report it. If they don’t, and they should have, they’re potentially liable for the damages that occurred from their negligence. Conversely, if they do report, they won’t be held liable.
Remember, even if you’re not someone whose profession makes them a mandated reporter, you can report abuse too. Any abuse of a vulnerable adult needs to be investigated and stopped. If you have a reasonable belief that a vulnerable adult is being mistreated, you can call the Minnesota Adult Abuse Reporting Center hotline at 1-844-880-1574. This hotline is active 24/7 to make sure that vulnerable adults are protected. If you make a good faith report to try and help someone, it could make a huge difference in their life. However, this number is not for emergencies. If you see someone being immediately harmed, call 9-1-1! The police can assist in the more direct matters, and they’re also mandated reporters.
Missy, it’s entirely understandable to be worried when a loved one goes into any type of different housing. While mandated reporters aren’t a cure-all, they are able to help those who are in a vulnerable position. Mandated reporters are here to help you and your vulnerable loved ones when you need it the most.
