How To You should report elder abuse in California.
If you suspect someone is being abused, it's important to report it.You can report abuse in California by calling the police department, Adult Protective Services, and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman.It's important to know the signs of abuse if you work with the elderly.
Step 1: Call the police.
Getting the medical they need is the first step in helping an elderly person.If the elderly person is in need of medical attention, call the emergency services.
Step 2: You can talk to the police.
It's a good idea to make a report with the police if you don't need to call immediately.You can report the abuse by calling your local number.Many police departments have an elderly abuse unit.Elderly abuse is a crime and the police will check on the situation.
Step 3: You can find the Adult Protective Services number in your county.
You need to find the appropriate number in your county for elderly abuse to be reported.
Step 4: The Long-Term Care Ombudsman can be contacted to report long-term care facilities.
When reporting a long-term care facility, you need to make an additional call to the Ombudsman, who investigate claims of abuse in facilities.The crisis number is open 24 hours a day.You can find a local number at the website.
Step 5: The appropriate department can be contacted for specific facilities.
You need to contact the state department for mental hospitals.The departments have jurisdiction over these facilities.Call the California Department of State Hospitals for mental hospitals.The number is for human rights.Visit http://www.dsh.ca.gov for other numbers.The California Department of Developmental Services has a general number.Other contact information can be found at http://www.dds.ca.gov.
Step 6: Who is responsible for reporting?
If you are a clergy member, a medical professional, or a professional care giver, you must report abuse.If you care for an elderly person outside of professional care, you must report abuse.You can be convicted of a crime if you don't report abuse.
Step 7: Look for signs of physical abuse.
Abuse can be physical or sexual.Physical restraint without cause is also included.This category includes the holding of food or water.Accidents can be a sign of abuse.There are injuries that do not have a good explanation that can be physical evidence of abuse.
Step 8: Look for signs of neglect.
The effects of neglect can be just as devastating.Not giving the person appropriate food, water, and shelter is a form of neglect.A person can be neglected if they don't protect them from danger.Poor hygiene, dirty clothes, matted hair, undernourishment, dehydration, and medical conditions are signs of neglect.
Step 9: There are signs of emotional abuse.
When the person is under emotional duress, it's called emotional abuse.It can be anything from threats to intimidation to not providing emotional support.Isolation is a form of emotional abuse.There are signs of emotional abuse, such as the person withdrawing, becoming frightened, or not wanting to talk about their condition.
Step 10: Financial abuse is something to pay attention to.
Abuse is connected to finances.Many people take advantage of the elderly because they are not aware of what is happening.There are signs of financial abuse that include a drain on the person's accounts, items going missing around the house, signatures on checks that don't match the signature, and signed checks.You have to be aware of the person's finances to notice warning signs.The person doesn't have things they need, such as basic care items.A new person may have befriended the senior and offered to take over their finances.