Elder Abuse Prevention
Elder abuse is abuse of an anyone 65 years of age or older, or abuse of a "dependent adult". A dependant adult refers to individuals ages 18-64 with mental or physical limitations that restrict his/her ability to carry out normal activities or to protect his/her rights.
How to Report Elder Abuse
Anyone who knows or suspects that an elder or dependent adult is being
neglected or abused should immediately report concerns to Adult Protective
Services (APS).
Call APS: (415) 355-6700
You Can Help - IOA Survey
Elder Financial Abuse Survey
IOA and the UCSF/UC Hastings Consortium on Law, Science and Health Policy
are conducting research on seniors' awareness of elder financial abuse. The
research project goal is to promote the financial wellbeing, independence
and health status of vulnerable elders by providing recommendations to policy
makers that will improve civil legal responses to elder financial abuse.
Please help by taking this confidential, 10 minute survey.
About the Survey
- The survey is voluntary and you can stop at any time.
- No personal or identifying information will be asked and neither the researchers nor this organization will be able to see your e-mail addresses or your responses.
- Information gathered from the survey will be used to make recommendations to policy makers and information will only be reported in aggregate- no individual responses will be reported.
- There is no compensation for completing the survey.
- The survey will be open until February 10, 2012.
How to Take the Survey
Click the following link and you will be taken to the secure SurveyMonkey website to input your anonymous responses: www.surveymonkey.com/s/K5S3FWF.
To learn more about the project, visit the project website: www.ucsf-hastingsconsortium.org/content/san-francisco-elder-financial-abuse-collaboration.
If you have questions regarding the survey, please contact IOA's Erika
Falk: (415) 750-4140 x232.
IOA Recommends
Wise Money: Be Wise, Be Aware
A documentary from the Elder Financial Prevention Network. Hear from elder abuse survivors and experts, and learn more about how to protect elders in your community from financial exploitation.
Watch now
Who Abuses?
Ninety percent (90%) of abuse of elders and dependent adults is committed by family, usually spouses or adult children. Often the abuser is misusing drugs or alcohol, is financially dependent on the victim, and/or has untreated mental health issues.
Reasons Elder Abuse May Not Be Reported
Elder abuse often goes unreported and seniors and dependent adults continue to suffer. The mistreated person may not know their rights, may be afraid of reprisal or simply may not know how to get help.
Other reason abuse many not be reported:
- Negative attitude toward older adults (ageism)
- Disbelief
- "It's not my business"
- Lack of knowledge about signs of abuse or proper reporting procedure
- Reluctance/fear of confronting the offender
- Fear of jeopardizing relationship with person or person's family
- Mistreated person requests that abuse not be reported (believe they are at fault; innate distrust of authorities; fear of institutionalization).
Elder abuse & neglect can take many forms including physical, emotional, psychological and financial.
Physical Abuse
Includes physical force that may result in bodily injury or physical pain. Physical abuse includes acts such as striking, hitting, beating, pushing, shoving, shaking, slapping, kicking, pinching, and burning. Inappropriate use of drugs and physical restraints, force-feeding, and physical punishment are also examples.Sexual Abuse
Sexual contact of any kind without permission, as well as sexual contact with any person incapable of giving consent.Emotional or Psychological Abuse
Causing mental pain by threatening, intimidating, humiliating, harassing, or isolating an older person or dependent adult.Neglect
Failure to provide care to a frail or impaired person by not providing life necessities such as food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, medicine, comfort, or personal safety. If a caregiver has assumed financial responsibilities, refusal to pay for these necessities can be considered abuse.Financial Abuse
Illegal or improper use of an elder's or dependent adult’s money, property, or assets. Examples include cashing a person’s checks without permission, forging a signature, misusing or stealing money or possessions, coercing or deceiving a person into signing any document (e.g., contracts or will), and the improper use of legal documents.Abandonment
Leaving an elder or dependent adult alone in a situation that could harm them is abuse.Abduction
Removal from California of any elder or dependent adult who does not have the capacity to consent can be abuse, or removal of a conservatee without the consent of the conservator or the court.Isolation
Isolation can be abuse when someone violates the personal rights of an elder or dependent adult. Abuse by isolation can take the form of false imprisonment and restraint, preventing delivery of mail, telephone calls, or visiting from family, friends, and service providers.Domestic Violence
Domestic violence in late life is violence between spouses, intimate partners, or couples who are dating. This can be physical, emotional, or sexual abuse, and can occur in both heterosexual and homosexual couples.Self-neglect
Self-neglect is when an elder or dependent adult is unable or unwilling to provide for his or her own health or safety. For example, refusal or failure to provide self with adequate food, water, clothing, shelter, personal hygiene, medication, or safety precautions.Risk Factors for Elder Abuse
- Female
- Older (+80 years)
- Isolated (including language barrier)
- Low income
- Physical or mental impairment
- Substance abuse (by caregiver or by older person)
- Psychological disorders (of caregiver or of older person)
- Previous history of family violence
- Caregiver burnout or frustration
If you know an elder or dependant adult, you can help protect them from elder abuse by watching for the following indicators of mistreatment.
General Indicators
Reluctance to provide access or answer questions; implausible or vague explanations for situation; irregular pattern of behavior.Home
Newspapers/mail accumulating; lack of attention to house; large numbers of people using home; drug activity; odd noises, bad odors.Financial
Irregular pattern of spending/withdrawals; frequent purchases of inappropriate items; withdrawals made in spite of penalties; bills not paid; utilities turned off; talks about meeting a "new best friend."Physical Signs
Multiple bruises; pattern injuries; elder lacks necessary helping devices.Mental Health/Emotional Signs
Elder is depressed, appears to have dementia, shows signs of anxiety, fears a caregiver, and/or is isolated by the caregiver.Caregiver
Caregiver is excessively concerned about costs of services or supplies, attempts to dominate elder, is verbally abusive of elder or you, and/or shows evidence of substance abuse or mental health problems. Financial dependence on the elder is also a warning sign.Save the Date - Friday, June 1, 2012
Say "Hey!" to Willie Mays | An Autograph Signing Event
Join
us Friday, June 1st, 2012 for an autograph signing event
with baseball legend Willie Mays. Bring baseballs, caps,
photos, jerseys and more for the Say Hey Kid to sign (learn more about the
items
you may bring). The
Say
"Hey!" autograph event is an IOA fundraiser supporting critical services for
San Francisco Bay Area older adults. Learn more and get
your tickets today!
Contact Information
Institute on Aging
San Francisco, Marin County & the Peninsula
3575 Geary Boulevard
San Francisco, CA 94118
Phone: (415) 750-4111
Toll Free: (877) 750-4111
Email: info@ioaging.org
Hours: 8am - 5pm
Meet Willie Mays!
June 1, 2012
Join IOA for an autograph signing event with baseball legend Willie Mays. Proceeds benefit IOA services for older adults, including homecare, social day programs, geriatric assessment services and affordable health care. Bring items to be autographed!
IOA Services | Elder Abuse Services
IOA provides elder abuse prevention and counseling services.
Individual
Counseling & Psychotherapy
Center
for Elderly Suicide Prevention
Friendship
Line
Support Groups
IOA Partners | Elder Abuse Prevention & Advocacy
IOA provides training, advocacy & legal assistance to elder abuse
victims and the professionals who serve them.
Elder
Abuse Prevention Consortium
Coordinates services for abused seniors, promotes public awareness,
provides training & education to seniors & professionals, and
advocates for policies that protect elders.
San
Francisco Elder Abuse Forensic Center
Crucial meeting point for professionals & agencies that assess,
investigate, and prosecute elder and dependent adult abuse.