Elder abuse is
unfortunately a lot more common than you may think. Many seniors are abused
each day around the world. For every one case of Elder Abuse that is reported,
at least 5 more go unreported.Make sure to do your part and report any
suspected elder abuse. Read below for some different alternatives on how to
report suspected elder abuse.
Different Types of Elder Abuse:
·
Physical
·
Emotional
·
Sexual
·
Neglect or
Abandonment
·
Financial
Exploitation
If You Suspect Elder Abuse – Report it. Here’s How:
If you suspect elder
abuse, report it.
County Adult Protective Services (APS)
The County APS agencies
investigate reports of suspected elder abuse and dependent abuse for those who
live in private homes, hospitals, and health clinics. The California Department
of Social Services has offices in all 58 counties in California. For a
comprehensive list of all counties visit their website at www.dss.cahwnet.gov/cdssweb . Once you
click on the DSS website, follow the “Report Abuse” link to find your county. Or click on one of the links below to print
out a form which you can submit.
To Report Suspected Dependent Adult/Elder Abuse:
To
Report Suspected Dependent Adult/Elder Financial Abuse:
Department of Public Health (DPH) – Licensing and Certification Program
The
California Department of Public Health Licensing and Certification Program
oversee health facilities such as nursing homes. If you suspect elder abuse
that is happening in a nursing homeyou may not want to discuss the problem with
the facility directly. The facility itself should have the Licensing and
Certification office location and number posted in the facility, however you
can also find the proper office to contact by visiting the Department of Public
Health website at www.cdph.ca.gov/programs/LnC/Pages/LnC.aspx
.
California Department of Aging - Long Term Care Ombudsman’s Office
To report suspected elder mistreatment in long-term
care facilities, contact the elder abuse hotline at 1-800-231-4024 or you can
contact your local ombudsman office.
Orange County Social Los Angeles County
Services Agency Community and Senior Services
P.O.
Box 22006 3333
Wilshire Blvd., 4th Floor
Santa
Ana, CA 92702 Los
Angeles, CA 90010
(800)
451 – 5155 (877)
477 – 3646 or (626) 579 – 6905
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Long-Term Care Ombudsman
Program – Orange County Program
– Los Angeles
1971
East Fourth St., Suite 200 P.O.
Box 769
Santa
Ana, CA 92705 Santa
Monica, CA 90406
(714)
479-0107 (310)
393-3618
For a comprehensive
list of local Ombudsman Programs statewide you can visit their website at http://oag.ca.gov/bmfea
California Attorney General of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse
The
California Attorney General Bureua of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse works to
protect elders from abuse or neglect in both nursing homes and long-term care
facilities. To report elder abuse to the Attorney General’s office contact
their free elder abuse hotline at (800) 722-0432
Local Law Enforcement Agency
Elder
abuse is a crime, so don’t forget that if you suspect elder abuse you can also
contact any local law enforcement agency.
The Elderly need our help, don’t let another
case go unreported. Do your part and report any suspected abuse to one of the
many available resources listed above.