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Elder Abuse
Elder & Dependent Adult Abuse
Services for Elders and Dependent Adults are a major focus at the AFJC. Unfortunately, these issues are highly under-reported for a number of reasons. But they are a difficult problem we must address.
The AFJC and Orange County Adult Protective Services has staff at the AFJC to help you.
Orange County Adult Protective Services
800-451-5155 (24 hour hotline)
Adult Protective Services (APS) are directed at preventing or remedying neglect, abuse or exploitation of adults who are unable to protect their own interests because of age or disability.
Population Served
Eligibility
Adult Protective Services are provided without regard to income or resources. A client must live in Orange County and be the victim of abuse either by self or by another that occurred in the community.
Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Facts
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The Orange County Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Registry received nearly 5,500 reports of elder and dependent adult abuse in 2005.
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Elder and dependent abuse reports have increased by 127% from 1994 to 2005.
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Between 450-550 reports are received at the Registry each month.
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Victims live through out the county and are at all income levels.
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Anyone who suspects, observes, or knows that an elder or a dependent adult is being abused need only call Orange County Adult Protective Services for help.
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Emergency assistance is available 24 hours per day 7 days a week.
Why Report?
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The elder or dependent adult will be given options to keep him/her safe from harm.
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The victim and their family members can be linked with appropriate community resources.
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Unaware family members and friends can be alerted to step in and help.
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The APS social worker can assist victims and their families in developing individualized care plans.
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The reporter can feel relief in knowing that a professional is assessing the situation.
Definitions of Abuse
Physical Abuse
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Beating, slapping, pushing, or kicking
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Restrictions on freedom of movement, such as confining the victim in the bedroom
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Overmedication
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Sexual exploitation
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Withholding food or water
Financial Abuse
The mismanagement of money or stealing property belonging to the victim. This can include:
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Theft (the act of stealing)
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Extortion (taking money or property through pressure, threats or intimidation)
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Fraud (taking money or property by deception or misrepresentation)
Psychological Abuse
Verbal harassment, threats, or other intimidating behavior that results in fear, agitation, confusion, severe depression, or other forms of serious emotional distress.
Neglect
Failure of a caregiver to provide basic necessities such as adequate food or water, shelter, medical treatment or personal care.
Abandonment
The desertion or willful forsaking of an elder or dependent adult by anyone having care or custody of that person under circumstances in which a reasonable person would continue to provide care and custody.
Abduction
The removal from this state and the restraint from returning to this state of any elder or dependent adult who does not have the capacity to consent to this removal.
Isolation
Actions, which prevent an elder or dependent adult from receiving mail or telephone calls. Falsely telling callers or prospective visitors that the elder or dependent adult does not want contact, if the purpose is to prevent contact with family, friends, or concerned persons. False imprisonment. Physical restraints, which prevent an elder or dependent adult from meeting with others.
Self-Neglect
An elder or dependent adult is unable to manage his/her personal needs in the areas of health care, food, shelter of finances, or cannot handle the basic activities of daily living.
What Can You Do?
If you suspect that an elder or dependent adult is the victim of abuse, call:
If you are not a mandated reporter but a relative, neighbor, friend to the victim or observed an elder or dependent adult being abused, only a phone call is necessary. You do not have to fill out any paperwork.
Confidentiality
The name of the reporting party is confidential. It is not disclosed to the victim, their family, or the alleged abuser.
More Services for Elder and Dependent Adults
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Alzheimer’s Association - provides services, education and advocacy for individuals, families, and the community affected by Alzheimer’s disease and other related memory disorders. http://www.alzoc.org/
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Adult Protective Services in other states - will provide the phone number of Adult Protective Services in other states. http://www.eldercare.gov/
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Council on Aging - office of the Long-term Care Ombudsman, HICAP, Fast, and Linkages. http://www.coaoc.org/
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In-Home Supportive Services - provides payment for providers of elderly and persons with disabilities. <../../../Elder_Disabled/In_Home_Care/IHSS/default.asp>
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Legal Aid -Senior Advocacy - provides free legal services to people at or below the poverty and age 60 and over who live in Orange County. http://www.legal-aid.com/
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Medi-Cal - Medi-Cal benefits for aged, blind or disabled persons. <../../../Health_Care/Medical_Services/Aged_Blind_Disabled/default.asp>
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Medi-Cal Skilled Nursing - Medi-Cal benefits for residents of skilled nursing facilities
<../../../Health_Care/Medical_Services/Skilled_Nursing/default.asp>.
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MultiPurpose Senior Services Program - provides case management and services to nursing home care level patients to remain at home <../../../Elder_Disabled/In_Home_Care/MSSP/default.asp.
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