Domestic Elder Abuse generaly refers to any of several forms of maltreatment of an older person by a person who has a special relationship to the elder (a spouse, a sibiling, a child, a friend, or a caregiver), that occures in the elders home or home of the caregiver.

Red Flags

• Physical Abuse:
  • Inadequately explained fractures, bruises, welts, cuts, sores, and burns.
  • Pressure “bed” sores.
  • Bruise or burn patterns like those found with child abuse/domestic abuse.
  • Medications used to restrain victim.

• Neglect (by self or others):
  • Lack of basic body hygiene
  • Lack of adequate food.
  • Lack of medical aids (glasses, walker, teeth, hearing aid, needed medications).
  • Lack of clean, appropriate clothing.
  • Demented victim left unsupervised.
  • Bed bound victim left without care.
  • Home cluttered, filthy, in disrepair, or having fire and safety hazards.
  • Home lacking minimum equipment and facilities (stove, refrigerator, heat, cooling, working plumbing, and electricity).
  • Animal hoarding.
• Financial Abuse:
  • Lack of amenities that victim could afford.
  • Victim “voluntarily” giving inappropriate financial reimbursement for needed care and companionship. (This is criminal when victim is under undue influence).
  • Caretaker has control of victim’s money but is failing to provide for victim’s needs.
  • Caretaker “living off” victim.
  • Victim has signed property transfers, Power of Attorney, new will, etc, when unable to comprehend the transaction.
  • In financial abuse cases it is important to get social security numbers and banking information to conduct a complete investigation.
• Psychological Abuse:
  • Caretaker isolates victim - Restricts visits, phone calls (doesn’t want to let you into home or speak to victim).
  • Caretaker is violent, aggressive, controlling, addicted, or uncaring.

The identity of the individual who reported the abuse to law enforcement is to be kept confidential, even from the victim.

W&I Code 15633

Law Enforcement Officers are

Of elder and dependent adult abuse.

If you observe, are verbally informed, or have knowledge that leads you to be reasonably suspect that an elder or dependent adult is being abused or neglected you must call:

As soon as practically possible, but within 24 hours

And follow up within 2 working days with the SOC 341 report form.

If you respond to situation involving an elder or a dependent adult (see definitions on the reverse) evaluate for the following types of possible abuse:

Physical Abuse: The infliction of physical pain or bodily harm not limited to:

Assault/Battery Sexual Abuse

Constraint Isolation

Abduction Abandonment

Common charges: 240, 242, 243(d), 245, 368(b)(1), 368(b)(2), 368(b)(3), 368©, 166(a)(4), 166(c)(1), 187, 206, 347, 261(a)(1), 289(a), 220, 243.4, 286, 288a

Neglect (by others): Refusal or failure to fulfill care taking obligations, such as abandonment or isolation, denial of food, shelter, clothing, medical assistance, or personal needs, or the withholding of necessary medication or assertive devices. Neglect can be intentional or unintentional.

Common Charges: 368(b)(1), 368(b)(2), 368(b)(3), 368©, 187, 192, 206

Financial (Material): The illegal or improper exploitation of funds or other resources (stealing or misusing possessions, property, or money).

Common Charges: 115, 182, 368(d), 368(e), 170, 484-487, 496

Psychological/Emotional Abuse: The infliction of mental anguish (threatening, humiliating, intimidating, isolating behaviors or statements.

Common Charges: 368(b)(1), 368(b)(2), 368(b)(3), 368(c)

Self-Neglect: The failure of an elder or dependent adult to adequately take care of themselves and meet the demands of daily living to eat, pay bills, meet personal hygiene needs and take medications.

W&I Code 15630(b)(1)

Click Here to print or download Elder Abuse Reporting Form

You must have Adobe Acrobat installed to open this form. Get it free here