Abuse can be an intentional act and/or a lack of knowledge in providing care to an elder (anyone 60 years or older) or dependent adult (anyone 18-59 years of age that has a mental or physical disability that impairs their ability to protect themselves).
Abuse is any act that constitutes taking advantage of a person for personal gain and/or not providing the proper care that the individual is dependent upon due to a disability or mental impairment. Generally, the basic categories or abuse are financial, physical, abandonment, isolation, neglect and self-neglect.
If the incident occurred in the community or in an individual home the report is made to Adult Protective Services at 868-1006 (24 hour Abuse Hotline) or please see Reporting Abuse tab. If the suspected abuse occurred in a Long Term Care Facility, the report is made to the Long Term Care Ombudsman at (661) 323-7884. If the incident appears to be an emergency, call 911.
Adult Protective Services or Long Term Care Ombudsman will investigate the suspected abuse by making contact with the suspected victim and alleged perpetrator. If the victim is willing to accept assistance, steps are taken to protect the individual and cross report criminal actions to Law Enforcement. If criminal action has occurred, then Law Enforcement completes the investigation for the purpose of prosecuting.
Generally, Adult Protective Services does not have the right to force the perpetrator out of the home without the permission of the victim and the involvement of Law Enforcement.
No, typically the victim will not report the abuse due to fear of retaliation or public exposure, embarrassment, humiliation, or potential loss of a relationship. Therefore, concerned parties, neighbors, family members and agencies mandated by law to report suspected abuse.
By regulations, Adult Protective Services has 10 days to respond unless it is considered an imminent danger requiring immediate attention or if Law Enforcement request immediate assistance with a victim.
No, nationally it has been reported that typically elder / dependent adult abuse involves a relationship with the victim and statistically 86.8% of all elder abuse crimes are committed by family members.
Yes, it is generally felt that elder abuse is increasing and will continue to increase as the older adult population grows in our nation. This is primarily due to the vulnerability of the aged, the unlikelihood of the crime being reported and the access to financial resources.
Report any suspected elder or dependent abuse. It only has to be suspected and not proven before reporting. Your identity as a reporting party will be kept confidential unless you choose to release that information. Elder Abuse will continue without your help by reporting suspected abuse.
