South Dakota Elder Abuse Task Force Recommends Revising Definition Of SMI To Exclude Dementia

A South Dakota task force charged with studying elder abuse and its impact on the state recommended that the courts and the Department of Social Services (DSS) revise the legal definition of serious mental illness (SMI) to exclude people with dementia. The goal is to avoid involuntary civil commitment of older adults with dementia, who would not otherwise meet the criteria for involuntary civil commitment.

The recommendation was reported in “South Dakota Elder Abuse Task Force Final Report.” The task force was authorized by the legislature and formed by the South Dakota Unified Judicial System. The task force was charged . . .