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Elder Abuse
What
is Elder Abuse?
The aging of our society presents challenges to many sectors of our
community. Increasing numbers of older persons are being cared for
in their own homes, where resources to provide sufficient care may
be limited. Adult children and spouses are caring for substantial
portions of our seniors. Recent reports from the House Select
Committee on Aging focus attention on the problem of elder abuse.
Elder abuse is not a new problem. However, conditions in our society
now encourage a closer examination of this problem.
Click here to
learn more about elder abuse definitions.
Abuse and/or neglect may be intentional or due to a care giver’s
lack of knowledge or capacity to care for the older person. Abuse
also can be reflective of a stressed family or long-standing
difficult parent-child relationship. Elder abuse can be found
anywhere that senior citizens are located—in the home, in
residential or convalescent facilities, or in other areas of the
community. Abuses can be family members, care givers, employees, or
strangers.
You may, if you chose, report anonymously or call to discuss your
concerns without making a report. An investigation into the
suspected abuse may be initiated based on the information that you
are able to provide.
If you suspect that a senior is being abused,
contact:
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Online Report Forms
Please use these simple online forms to report any elder abuse.
Click here for forms.
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Adult Protective Services
San Joaquin County- 468-2202
Toll Free # 1-888-800-4800
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Ombudsmen
San Joaquin County - 468-3785.
Senior-care custodians, health practitioners,
financial institutions, or
employees of County Adult Protective Services Agencies who,
within their professional capacity or within the scope of the
employment, suspect an incident of abuse or neglect, MUST REPORT
immediately by telephone and in writing within two working days
to Adult Protective Services, Long-Term Care Ombudsmen Services,
or to the police. IN CASE OF EMERGENCY, CALL 911.
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