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42 C.F.R. § 488.301
Abuse: The willful infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or punishment with resulting physical harm, pain or mental anguish
Misappropriation of resident property: The deliberate misplacement, exploitation, or wrongful, temporary or permanent use of a resident’s belongings or money without the resident’s consent
Neglect: The failure to provide goods and services necessary to avoid physical harm, mental anguish, or mental illness
Tenn. Code Ann. § 68-11-901
Every nursing home resident/patient has the following minimum rights: (21) To be free from willful abuse or neglect, as these terms are defined by § 71-6-102
Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-6-102
(1) "Abuse or neglect" means the infliction of physical pain, injury, or mental anguish, or the deprivation of services by a caretaker that are necessary to maintain the health and welfare of an adult or a situation in which an adult is unable to provide or obtain the services that are necessary to maintain that person's health or welfare. Nothing in this part shall be construed to mean a person is abused or neglected or in need of protective services for the sole reason that the person relies on or is being furnished treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone in accordance with a recognized religious method of healing in lieu of medical treatment; further, nothing in this part shall be construed to require or authorize the provision of medical care to any terminally ill person if such person has executed an unrevoked living will in accordance with the provisions of the Tennessee Right to Natural Death Act, compiled in title 32, chapter 11, and if the provisions of such medical care would conflict with the terms of such living will.
(8) “Exploitation” means the improper use by a caretaker of client funds that have been paid by a governmental agency to an adult or to the caretaker for the use or care of the adult.
(12) “Sexual abuse” occurs when an adult, as defined in this chapter, is forced, tricked, threatened or otherwise coerced by a person into sexual activity, involuntary exposure to sexually explicit material or language, or sexual contact against such adult’s will. Sexual abuse also occurs when an “adult,” as defined in this chapter, is unable to give consent to such sexual activities or contact and is engaged in such activities or contact with another person.
Tenn. Code Ann.:
T.C.A. 33-2-402
(1) “Abuse” means the knowing infliction of injury, unreasonable confinement, intimidation, or punishment with resulting physical harm, pain, or mental anguish;
(4) “Misappropriation of property” means the deliberate misplacement, exploitation, or wrongful, temporary or permanent use of belongings or money without consent;
(5) “Neglect” means failure to provide goods or services necessary to avoid physical harm, mental anguish, or mental illness, which results in injury or probable risk of serious harm.
Tenn. Comp. R. & Regs.:
0940-5-1.01(10): Emotional Abuse - - Any threatening behavior or statement directed toward a client that causes emotional trauma or fear including, but not limited to, ridicule; gestures which subject the client to humiliation or degradation; threatening motions or noises intended to startle or frighten the client.
0940-5-1-.01(27): Physical Abuse - - Harmful or painful physical contact, including, but not limited to, the intentional striking, shoving, or pushing of a client by anyone, including another client. Also included is the use of excessive force when restraining a client (e.g., using methods restrain a client which are not outlined in staff training) and acts which constitute sexual activity.
0940-5-1-.01(36): Verbal Abuse - - Insulting or coarse language directed toward a client which subjects the client to humiliation or degradation, including, but not limited to, swearing at a client, name calling, taunting, and other inappropriate verbal behavior.
(1) "Abuse or neglect" means the infliction of physical pain, injury, or mental anguish, or the deprivation of services by a caretaker which are necessary to maintain the health and welfare of an adult or a situation in which an adult is unable to provide or obtain the services which are necessary to maintain that person's health or welfare. Nothing in this part shall be construed to mean a person is abused or neglected or in need of protective services for the sole reason that the person relies on or is being furnished treatment by spiritual means through prayer alone in accordance with a recognized religious method of healing in lieu of medical treatment; further, nothing in this part shall be construed to require or authorize the provision of medical care to any terminally ill person if such person has executed an unrevoked living will in accordance with the provisions of the Tennessee Right to Natural Death Law, compiled in title 32, chapter 11, and if the provisions of such medical care would conflict with the terms of such living will.
(8) “Exploitation” means the improper use by a caretaker of client funds which have been paid by a governmental agency to an adult or to the caretaker for the use or care of the adult.
Tenn. Code Ann.
T.C.A. § 37-1-102(b)
(1) “Abuse” exists when a person under the age of eighteen (18) is suffering from, has sustained, or may be in immediate danger of suffering from or sustaining a wound, injury, disability or physical or mental condition caused by brutality, neglect or other actions or inactions of a parent, relative, guardian or caretaker.
(21) "Severe child abuse' means:
T.C.A. § 37-1-602
(3)
(7) "Mental injury" means an injury to the intellectual or psychological capacity of a child as evidenced by a discernible and substantial impairment in the child's ability to function within the child's normal range of performance and behavior, with due regard to the child's culture.