What to Do If You Suspect Adult Abuse in California

My daughter works in Child Protective Services in California and one day last week, our phone conversation drifted to the abuse of older adults. While I'm not at that age, just yet, I'm certainly close enough that thoughtful consideration of the problem weighs heavily. Since the baby boomers started getting older, a lot more people are aware of the problem of elder abuse. In fact, according to California State Adult Protective Services, reported incidents grew in California from 75,852 to 93,513 in just five years between 2001 and 2006. That's a 23 percent increase. If you live in the state of California and have reason to believe an older person is being abused, you need to know where and how to report the problem.

According to the U.S census, the number of people over 65 in the United States will go from 3.7 million to 8.4 million in 22 years, a growth rate of more than 227 percent. That's a huge increase of seniors. To make matters worse, it also increases the number of older people living alone. They easily become targets for people looking for unsavory ways to make money. Those who live with family members may be vulnerable to caretakers who can't cope with the stress of providing daily care. Seniors in facilities also experience abuse from workers that suffer their own mental demons.

There are different types of abuse. State Adult Protective Services of California states that neglect accounts for the largest portion at 20 percent verbal, emotional and psychological abuse explains 15 percent, as does financial exploitation. Actual physical abuse only accounts for 11 percent and sexual abuse for 1 percent. If you work in a financial institution and believe that someone is unjustly using the funds of an elderly person, it's your responsibility to report it to Adult Protective Services. The same holds true for anyone aware of mistreatment of seniors or handicapped adults.

You have to fill out the form, either online or one sent to you, after you call the county Adult Protective services. Regardless of whether the perpetrator is a nursing home, private individual or hospital, you need to fill out the form. The agency doesn't release your name to the perpetrators and it's only known to those working on the case. The appropriate agency then handles the matter once the form comes into Adult Protective Services. Mandated reporters have two days to return the form. If you're reporting abuse at a long-term care facility, the same form is used but the complaints need to go to an ombudsman at the Department of Aging. Check the website in references below for contact information.

You're a mandated reporter if you work in a financial institution, a health practitioner or a custodial caregiver. Once you're aware a situation, and don't report it, there's a penalty of up to 6 months in county jail and $1000 fine. If the adult dies because of your neglect to report, then the civil penalties increase to a maximum of $5000. You don't have a choice; so if you suspect a problem, don't think you're butting in but report it and let the authorities decide.

While this is just about California, simply because the information my daughter provided made it easy to glean the facts, there's an agency in every state to report these incidences. When you contemplate the loneliness of the abused senior, you'll realize how important reporting incidences become. Once you understand that they have limited connections to the outside world, you'll feel the pain that they endure, knowing that there's no one to turn to in their time of distress. Frequently people know there's abuse, but fail to report it, allowing either the senior's resources depleted or the downward spiral of their health. Don't leave a senior to the hands of their abuser. Call if you suspect abuse and allow the county to investigate. You may be the only voice this senior has available. The county provides emergency 24-hour services