Protection from Elder Abuse in Texas

As residents of Texas, the State upholds the right of you and your family to be protected from any form of abuse. This means everyone, including older family members. Whether elderly Texans reside in their own homes, with family or in a nursing home or assisted living community, they are entitled to full protection from abuse under Texas law.

The Office of the Attorney General of Texas offers some guidance as to what constitutes mistreatment of senior citizens here, and the kind of behavior from which they should always be protected. These include (but are not necessarily limited to):

·         Neglect

·         Exploitation

·         Involuntary seclusion

·         Intimidation

·         Humiliation

·         Harassment

·         Threats of punishment

·         Deprivation

·         Hitting/slapping/pinching/kicking

·         Any type of corporal punishment

·         Sexual assault or coercion

·         Sexual harassment

·         Verbal abuse

·         Any oral, written, or gestured language that includes disparaging or derogatory terms, regardless of the person’s ability to hear or comprehend.