Nevada County Grand Jury • 2005-2006

Elder Abuse in Nevada County Reason for Investigation Statistics uncover a frightening picture of elder abuse in

Published: May 30, 2006 4 pages
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Findings and Recommendations 14 findings

F1
Elder abuse laws cover seniors 65 years of age or older and dependent adults 18 through 64 years of age who have a physical or developmental disability.
No recommendations for this finding
F2
California’s Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act provides protection for elders from financial abuse, physical abuse and neglect. Under the Act, elder abuse is defined as: a. Physical abuse b. Neglect c. Financial abuse d. Abandonment e. Isolation f. Abduction g. Other treatment of an elder which results in physical harm or pain or mental suffering h. A caregiver depriving an elder of goods or services necessary to prevent physical harm or mental suffering
No recommendations for this finding
F3
Physical abuse includes assault, battery, unreasonable physical constraint, deprivation of food or water, sexual assault or inappropriate use of physical or chemical restraint.
No recommendations for this finding
F4
Neglect includes failure by a caregiver to provide food, clothing or shelter, failure to assist in personal hygiene, failure to provide medical care, failure to protect the elder from safety hazards, or failure to prevent malnutrition/dehydration.
Related Recommendations (1)
R5
Social services programs, both governmental and private, affecting seniors at risk should be supported and strengthened. The areas include housing, nutrition, health and transportation. These programs provide for a healthy constructive life environ- ment, offsetting opportunities for abuse to occur, identifying where abuse does occur, and implementing effective remedial action. RESPONSES No Response Required
F5
Financial abuse includes situations where one or both of the following apply: (1) a person, including a caregiver or other trusted person, takes an elder’s money or property for wrongful use, or with intent to defraud; (2) a person gets property from an elder who lacks mental capacity and refuses in bad faith to return the property when the elder or his/her representative requests it.
No recommendations for this finding
F6
The U.S. Census Bureau projects that California’s elderly population will nearly double within the next 20 years from 3.7 million to more than 6.6 million.
No recommendations for this finding
F7
Nevada County has the 7th highest proportion of elder population per county in California. Nearly 30% of Nevada County residents were over 55 years of age as of the 2000 census.
No recommendations for this finding
F8
One of every 20 elderly people will be a victim of neglect or physical, psychological or financial abuse this year.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Any person who suspects that abuse of an elder has occurred can and should report it immediately. Another’s assets, health, dignity and/or life may depend on the courage to act.
F9
Elders control 70% of the wealth in our country making them obvious targets of financial abuse.
Related Recommendations (1)
R1
Any person who suspects that abuse of an elder has occurred can and should report it immediately. Another’s assets, health, dignity and/or life may depend on the courage to act.
F10
Abusers are most often family members or care givers.
Related Recommendations (1)
R4
All member agencies in the criminal justice system should ensure that effective programs and polices are in place and that laws and ordinances are enforced to guarantee pro- secution of family or other offenders who commit crimes and acts of abuse against elders.
F11
Adult Protective Services is the primary contact for suspected elder abuse that does not immediately jeopardize the life or well being of the victim and occurs outside a licensed care facility.
Related Recommendations (1)
R2
Suspected elder abuse outside of a licensed care facility should be immediately reported to Nevada County Adult Protective Services at (530) 265-1639 or (888) 339-7248. These numbers are available 24-hours per day seven days per week.
F12
The Office of the Ombudsman is the primary contact for suspected elder abuse that occurs in a licensed care facility.
Related Recommendations (1)
R3
Suspected elder abuse inside a licensed care facility in Nevada County should be immediately reported to the Long Term Care Ombudsman at (530) 274-2825 or (916) 376-8910.
F13
Law enforcement is the primary contact for suspected elder abuse that immediately jeopardizes the life or well being of the victim.
No recommendations for this finding
F14
Under California law, certain individuals are legally mandated to report known or suspected instances of elder abuse. Mandated reporters include physicians and medical professionals, clergy, employees of health care facilities, law enforcement and any individual who assumes responsibility for the care or custody of an elderly person. CONCLUSIONS
No recommendations for this finding

Conclusions 4