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Elder Abuse

Information & Resources

Thank you for choosing to get informed about or maybe just review what elder abuse is and what you can do about it if you suspect it. You are not alone in your work to make our community a safer place.

Many people report elder abuse, and it makes a world of difference.

What Elder Abuse Looks Like

Elder Abuse is more common than you think. Abuse, including neglect and exploitation, is experienced by about 1 in 10 people aged 60 and older who live at home. From 2002 to 2016, more than 643,000 older adults were treated in the emergency department for nonfatal assaults and over 19,000 homicides occurred.

Elder abuse is an intentional act or failure to act that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult (defined as someone aged 60 or older). The abuse often occurs at the hands of a caregiver or other trusted person. At the very least, this experience is traumatic for the survivor of abuse. Over time, elder abuse can harm the survivor’s physical and psychological health, destroy social and family ties, and/or cause devastating financial loss.

1 in 6 older adults have experienced some form of elder abuse. Why?

Many older adults may be living alone or spending more time alone than they did when they were younger, making them open to accepting what seems like a meaningful connection with someone. They may require care, which can make them vulnerable to undue influence, manipulation, or violence perpetrated by a caregiver or someone they trust. Or they may not have the critical thinking abilities that they had when they were younger and therefor believe false stories and scenarios, allowing scammers to gain access to their life savings.

Only 1 in 24 cases of elder abuse are reported to the authorities.

Don't stand by. Stand up to elder abuse. You can make a difference.

Get educated on what elder abuse looks or sounds like. Be aware of signs of abuse. Pay attention to the older adults in your community – your neighbors, your customers, or someone on the street. You can report any suspicion you have that an older adult is being abused. You will find helpful information about this below.

You can also help by providing overburdened caregivers with emotional or physical support, such as asking how they are doing or getting help so they can have some rest. This can include help from:

Friends or family
local relief care groups
caregiver support groups, counseling
having the older adult attend an adult day care program.

You don’t have to be a nurse or social worker to report a suspicion of elder abuse. Some people do work in jobs that requires them to report their suspicion – this is called being a mandated reporter. There are many, many people who want to speak up about what they see in their community. It may feel like no one else is doing what you do, but they are, and it is making a world of difference!

Keep in mind—all competent adults have the right to self-determination and voluntarily accept or decline help from the authorities. And all adults are presumed to have competency unless determined by the court. Adults retain all their civil and constitutional rights unless a court adjudicates otherwise.

California Legal Requirements for Reporting Elder Abuse

Halftone collage: a hand with a pencil writing on paper, with a speech-bubble outline in the background.

Who is Required to Report Elder Abuse?

Certain individuals, known as mandated reporters, are legally obligated to report suspected elder abuse (per California Welfare and Institutions Code § 15630).

These individuals include, but are not limited to:

Healthcare providers (e.g., doctors, nurses, medical staff)
Caregivers and nursing home staff
Social workers
Law enforcement officers
Employees in long-term care facilities
Financial institutions and bank employees
Those who have taken on the responsibility of caring for older adults

Voluntary Reporting: In some cases, individuals or entities may choose to voluntarily report an event that is not required by law but may still be beneficial for public safety or organizational integrity.

What to Report

Elder abuse includes, but is not limited to, the following forms of harm:

Physical, Sexual, Neglect/ Self-neglect, Emotional, Financial Exploitation, Abandonment

Any suspicion of one or more of these forms of abuse must be reported, even if the abuse is suspected but not conclusively verified.

You do not have to have proof to report it!

Confidentiality: While making a report, be aware that the identity of the reporter is kept confidential. However, after reporting, you will not get a call back with updates.

Reporting Timeline and Process

Immediate Reporting Requirement: Mandated reporters must immediately report suspected elder abuse to the appropriate agency or authority.
Where to Report: Elder abuse must be reported to one of the following entities

- - Adult Protective Services (APS) in the county where the elder resides
  - Local law enforcement or police
  - Long-term care ombudsman (if the abuse occurred in a long-term care facility)

Method of Reporting and Providing the Information: Reports should be made via Adult Protective Services hotline or in writing online.

Conclusion

As a mandated or voluntary reporter, you are essential in protecting vulnerable adults from harm. Timely and thorough reporting helps ensure that those affected receive the necessary care, intervention, and protection. Always act with the utmost urgency and care when faced with suspected elder abuse. In this way, you not only protect the older adult, but keep our entire community safer.

» Continue to learn more at the CDC website

» Protecting Our Elders: How to Spot and Stop Abuse - YouTube (Video)

» APS Public Awareness Clip (Video)

Step-by-Step Guide to Reporting Elder Abuse

Step 1: Identify Signs of Elder Abuse

Before making a report, it's important to recognize the signs of elder abuse. Common indicators include:

Physical Abuse: Infliction of bodily injury, physical harm, or pain. This can look like unexplained bruises, cuts, burns, or fractures. Multiple bruises at different stages of healing.
Neglect or Self-Neglect: Failure to provide adequate care to the older adult under your care or for the older adult to fail do so for him/herself, including food, shelter, and medical attention. Looks like poor hygiene, dehydration, malnutrition, or untreated medical conditions. Could be piled up mail, unkempt yards or homes, not coming out of the home for long periods of time.
Emotional Abuse: Verbal assaults, threats, or mental harm causing psychological distress. Looks like withdrawal, fear of certain individuals, or signs of depression.
Financial Exploitation: Unauthorized use of an older adult’s financial resources or assets. Looks like sudden changes in financial status, missing funds, or unexplained withdrawals. Unknown people coming over to pick up packages from the home at odd hours.
Sexual Abuse: Any non-consensual sexual contact. Looks like unexplained genital injuries or sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
Abandonment: Leaving an older adult without adequate care or supervision, where the older adult is left alone for extended periods or without proper care.

If you observe any of these signs or suspect elder abuse, proceed to the next step.

Step 2: Report to the Appropriate Authority

A. Reporting Elder Abuse in Long-Term Care Facilities (e.g., nursing homes)

Contact the Long-Term Care Ombudsman:
- If the abuse occurs in a long-term care facility, you must report to the Long-Term Care Ombudsman immediately. The Ombudsman is responsible for advocating for residents and ensuring facilities comply with state regulations.
- Contact: Call 707-255-4236 for Ombudsman Long Term Care Napa.
Report to Local Law Enforcement:
- You may also report the abuse to local law enforcement if the situation involves physical harm, sexual abuse, or any criminal activity.
- Contact: Call 911 or the local police department.

B. Reporting Elder Abuse Anywhere Else In The Community (outside Long-Term Care Facilities)

Adult Protective Services (APS) for Napa County:
- Call Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. 707-253-4398
- Nights and Weekends Phone: 888-619-6913
Report to Local Law Enforcement:
- You may also report the abuse to local law enforcement if the situation involves physical harm, sexual abuse, or any criminal activity.
- Contact: Call 911 or the local police department.

Step 3: Provide the Required Information

Documenting Suspicion: It is important to document your observations, including any relevant details (e.g., signs of physical injury, statements made by the elder or others). This documentation can support your report and assist investigative authorities.

When making the report, provide the following information as clearly and thoroughly as possible. It is not a requirement that you know all the details:

Personal Information: Your name, contact information, and your professional role (if applicable).
Details of the Elder: The name, age, and address of the elder involved in the suspected abuse.
Type of Abuse: A detailed description of the abuse (physical, emotional, financial, etc.) and how it was discovered.
Suspected Abuser: Any information you have about the person(s) suspected of committing the abuse.
Immediate Risk: Whether the elder is in immediate danger and requires urgent intervention.
Evidence: Any evidence you have (e.g., photographs, medical records, statements) to support the suspicion of abuse. You may also add in any other person who might have witnessed or is knowledgeable about the situation.

Step 4: Follow-Up and Documentation

Follow Up: Some agencies, such as APS, may follow up with you for additional details. It’s essential to stay available and cooperate with authorities if further information is needed. They will not call back to report on findings or outcomes.
Documentation: Keep a record of your report, including:
- The date and time of the report.
- The person or agency you reported to.
- Any responses or actions taken following your report.

Halftone collage showing a worried person listening on the right, with a large red warning triangle on the left, signaling caution.

What Adult Protective Services Wants Abuse Reporters to Know

There may be times when a report is made to APS, and it appears that no changes occurred for the reported adult. Every action taken by APS must balance the duty to protect the safety of the vulnerable adult with the adult’s right to self-determination.

Responsibilities of APS

Responsibilities of APS are:

APS has the responsibility to examine all aspects of reported maltreatment while not revealing the identity of the reporter. Confidentiality laws may also prevent the release of a reported adult’s personal information or the outcome of the investigation.
When resources are available, APS has the duty to inform and assist an adult in obtaining needed services but cannot require a competent adult to accept services. Every service plan for a competent adult is driven by the adult…not APS, family or others.
The goals of APS are to help adults maintain their independence and cannot involuntarily remove someone from their home or interfere with a competent adult’s chosen lifestyle.
When a report is received involving an adult that the court has determined to lack competency, APS will take appropriate steps to ensure the reported adult’s safety.
APS focuses on the least restrictive intervention possible in order to preserve an adult’s independence. Whenever possible, services are provided in an adult’s home to help them avoid nursing home placement.
The objective of APS is not to “fix” a situation, but to investigate and provide assistance when possible.

If you have made a report to APS on behalf of someone you see often and then continue to have concerns or suspicions of the elder abuse/ self-neglect continuing, you should call to report it to APS again.

Competent persons have the right to self determine..

All competent persons have the right to self-determination, choose their own values, principles and lifestyles. And all adults are presumed to have competency unless determined by the court. Adults retain all their civil and constitutional rights unless a court adjudicates otherwise.

In instances where it appears that no change has occurred after a report was made, the reason may be the result of a competent person choosing to:

Remain in an unsafe, unhealthy or unclean environment. Adults have the right to make decisions that do not conform with societal norms as long as these decisions do not harm others.
Refuse services, including adult protective services.

Please note: After a report to APS has been made, if there is a substantial negative change to an adult’s situation, a second report may be made to ensure APS is aware of a harmful or adverse change in the adult’s circumstances.

Information on SCAMS

If you suspect a scam but it hasn’t happened yet:

Call the Napa County District Attorney’s office, Consumer Protection Unit (Donna), at 707-253-4059

After you believe you are scammed:

If it was involving your credit card, call your credit card company.
Call the Police to make a report.
Call a credit reporting company – they will alert the other 2 companies. Put on a Fraud Alert.
Change your passwords.
You can get one free credit report a year with just one call. Get one after a scam and review it closely for inquiries or charges. (annualcreditreport.com)

Other Contacts