Legal Question in Elder Law in Massachusetts

Against the law to leave a disabled parent

My sister-in-law is taking care of her elderly father. She is 38 & he is 86. Anyway, she is under the impression that if she leaves for any prolonged period of time or forever, she will get arrested for abandonment of a elderly parent. I belive the father is pulling a serious guilt trip. Is there such a law where she actually has to worry about her freedom if she vacations or in fact moves out permanently from living with her ''controlling'' elderly father?


Asked on 1/29/08, 12:03 pm

1 Answer from Attorneys
Alexandra Golden Golden Law Center

Re: Against the law to leave a disabled parent

There certainly are laws concerning elder abuse; although I have found that they are seldom enforced unless the situation is VERY bad and results in substantial physical or medical harm or financial exploitation.

If you genuinely believe that this isn't the situation, pass on my suggestion to your sister-in-law that she contact her local elder services agency for information concerning geriatric care management and respite services. A little help from a geriatric social worker could do wonders here. (If anything, her father is more at risk if a burned-out child has a melt-down while trying to take care of him.) In addition to the local Council on Aging, the state's Executive Office of Elder Affairs web site has a list of resources in the community

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Answered on 1/29/08, 12:15 pm


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