older woman appearing worried for elder abuse information

I have to compliment Mikala for her excellent, professional help. I can’t tell you how kind and patient and hard-working she has been on my behalf, with me living alone and having the issues I have, and dealing with so many stressors I’ve never dealt with in my entire life.

Protecting Elders at Risk of Abuse

In any community, there are seniors who suffer from abuse, financial exploitation or neglect, and there are also seniors who put themselves at risk. Seniors who are being abused, as well as people who are worried about a senior family member, friend or neighbor, need a safe, confidential place to call for help.

OVERVIEW

Springwell’s Protective Services Program is designed to help eliminate or alleviate the abuse or neglect of a senior. Once an allegation is received, a Springwell Protective Services worker investigates the allegation and provides crisis intervention and short term case management if appropriate. Caseworkers work in conjunction with community agencies providing health, mental health, legal, and social services. Support offered may include, but is not limited to: counseling, safety planning, family intervention, homemaker/health aide services, transportation, housing, legal assistance, and advocacy.

WHY SPRINGWELL

Springwell is designated by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to investigate reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elders and has been in operation since 1977. Our skilled Protective Service Workers are experienced in working with families at risk. The goal of the Protective Services Program is to alleviate or reduce risk of harm to elders.

COST

This is a free service

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

60 years of age or older
Alleged to be victim of emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, financial exploitation, self- neglect or caregiver neglect.
The alleged victim must live in one of the following communities: Ashland, Belmont, Brookline, Dover, Framingham, Holliston, Hopkinton, Natick, Needham, Newton, Sherborn, Sudbury, Waltham, Watertown, Wayland, Wellesley, or Weston.
Mandated Reporters must fill out and submit a Mandated Reporter Form to Springwell within 48 hours of making a verbal report.

SERVICE DETAILS

Abuse may be reported 24 hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week by calling the state-wide Elder Abuse toll-free HOTLINE: 1-800-922-2275 (Urgent and non-urgent calls accepted) or go to the secure state online form (Online form is for NON-URGENT REPORTS ONLY). The HOTLINE will contact a Springwell Protective Services caseworker if necessary.

If you are a Mandated Report you are required to completed a Mandated Reporter Form and send it to Springwell within 48 hours of making the verbal report.

Click here for a copy of the form.

The form should be mailed to:

Springwell, 307 Waverley Oaks Road Suite 205, Waltham MA 02452 (Attn: PS) or faxed to 617-926-9783.

Please note: The Mandated Reporter Form does not take the place of a verbal report. Springwell is not able to respond to a report until a verbal report is received. To make a report the reporter must call the state-wide Elder Abuse Hotline at 1-800-922-2275 (Urgent and non-urgent calls accepted) or go to the secure state online form (Online form is for NON-URGENT reports by mandated reporters only).

Have questions about how to report elder abuse?

LEARN MORE

Contact Us

NOTE: Reports of abuse cannot be made using the online form. You MUST call the phone number provided.

An individual seeking to report abuse or neglect should call the 24/7 Statewide Elder Abuse hotline at 1-800-922-2275.