What is elder abuse?

Elder abuse may be an intentional act that is a conscious attempt to inflict suffering (abuse), or it may be unintentional because of inadequate knowledge, infirmity, or laziness on the part of the person responsible (neglect). Elder abuse crosses all social, economic and ethnic lines - any elderly person could become a victim. It is important to become aware of elder abuse and to recognize signs that might suggest its occurrence.

Physical Abuse

Physical abuse is the infliction of physical harm or injury upon an elder by a person who stands in a position of trust or who has care or custody of the older person. This includes, but is not limited to, direct beatings, sexual assault, unreasonable physical restraint, or prolonged deprivation of food or water.

Physical indicators include but are not limited to:

• Unexplained bruises or welts
• Injuries that are incompatible with explanations
• Cuts, pinch marks, skin tears, lacerations or puncture wounds
• Malnourished or dehydrated
• An untreated medical condition
• Injuries that reflect outline of object used to inflict it - electric cord, belt, hand
• Soiled clothing or bed
• Torn, stained or bloody underclothing
• Home and yard in obvious need of repair
• Bruises or welts in various stages of healing

The willful infliction of mental suffering, by a person in a position of trust with the elder person, constitutes psychological abuse. Examples of such abuse are: verbal assaults, threats, instilling fear, humiliation, intimidation or isolation.

Behavior indicators include but are not limited to:

The elderly victim may be:

• Confused
• Frightened
• Extremely forgetful
• Withdrawn
• Depressed
• Helpless
• Angry
• Disoriented about time and place
• Telling implausible stories
• Hesitant to talk freely

Neglect occurs when a caretaker denies an older person food, medication, proper clothing, hygiene or medical attention. Unfortunately, neglect is an all-too-common occurrence. In many cases, the caretaker who neglects an elder is not aware of or sensitive to how severe the consequences of his/her actions can be.

Social indicators include but are not limited to:

• Elder is isolated or lonely with no friends or relatives who drop by
• Elder is exposed to health and safety hazards
• Elder's interaction or activity within the family is restricted or prohibited
• Elder is not given the opportunity to speak for him/herself or see others without the caregiver present

Financial abuse occurs when a caretaker or a person in a position of trust with the elder person misuses that person's funds or property, commits theft, embezzlement, extortion or fraud.

Financial indicators include but are not limited to:

• Unusual activity in bank acconts
• Signatures on checks and other documents incompatible with the elders's signature
• Lack of amenities - TV, personal grooming items, appropriate clothing
• Pattern of spending changes - purchases of things the elderly person doesn't need or cannot use
• Numerous unpaid bills and overdue rent
• The elder is denied neccessary placement and/or services because caregiver is unwilling to spend the money.

Caregiver indicators:

• Caregiver asks only financial questions, not questions related to care
• Caregiver has no obvious means of support
• Caregiver feels overwhelmed by the level of care needed by the elder
• Caregiver has the following problems or behavior:
  - Problems with alcohol or drugs
  - Previous history of abuse of others
  - Anger or indifference toward the elder
  - Emotional or psychiatric problems
  - Unwilling or reluctant to comply with service providers
  - Inappropriate defensiveness
  - Aggressive behavior towards the elder - threats, harassment, insults
  - Concern that too much money is being spent on the care of the elder

Preventing Elder Abuse

Don't be a victim. Don't let others be victims. It's very important for the elderly, their family members and friends to be part of the solution to the problem of elder abuse. Be aware of elder abuse and the indicators, and report it to proper agencies or law enforcement.


Reporting Elder Abuse

Reporting suspected elder abuse is not difficult. The following agencies and law enforcement can often intervene before serious injury occurs. Report what you see or what you hear and the responsible authorities will take it from there.

To report suspected Elder Abuse taking place in a nursing home, convalescent hospital or extended care facility: Long Term Care Ombudsman Services 24-hr hotline (800) 231-4024 (805) 656-1986

To report suspected Elder Abuse: Human Services Agency Adult Protective Services 24-hr hotline (805) 654-3200

Resources:
Local Police Agencies:

• Police Protection Emergency Situations 911
• Camarillo Police/Sheriff's Department (805) 388-5100
• Fillmore Police/Sheriff's Department (805) 524-2233
• Moorpark/Thousand Oaks Police/Sheriff's Department (805) 494-8200
• Ojai Police Department (805) 646-1414
• Oxnard Police Department (805) 486-1663
• Port Hueneme Police Department (805) 986-6530
• Santa Paula Police Department (805) 933-4231
• Simi Valley Police Department (805) 583-6950
• Ventura Police Department (805) 339-4400
• Ventura County District Attorney's Office (805) 654-2500

Local Elder Services

• Area Agency on Aging (805) 477-7300 or 1-800-510-2020(in county only)
• District Attorney Consumer Complaints Line Consumer Complaints (805) 654-3180 (closed12:00noon - 1:00p.m.)
• District Attorney Crime Victims' Assisance Program (805) 654-3622
• Grey Law Legal Services (805) 658-2266
• Human Services Agency Adult Protective Services (805) 654-3200 (24 hour hotline)
• Jewish Family Services (805) 641-6565
• Long Term Care Ombudsman Services (805) 656-1986 (24 hour hotline 1-800-231-4024) `
• Senior Outreach Services (805) 652-7820