Ventura County Grand Jury • 2003-2004

Incidence of Elder Abuse within Ventura County

Published: May 27, 2004 4 pages
View Original PDF

Findings and Recommendations 19 findings

F01
The Ventura County Adult Protective Services Department breaks down statistical information on elder abuse into eight categories.
No recommendations for this finding
F02
Within Ventura County, the City of Oxnard is the origin of the majority of the elder abuse case referrals followed by Simi Valley.
No recommendations for this finding
F03
Statistics provided by the APS indicate the greatest percentage of referrals concerning elder abuse is in the category of financial abuse, followed by neglect, psychological/mental and physical abuse.
No recommendations for this finding
F04
The incidence rate of elder abuse by category in Ventura County cities considers the relative percentage with respect to the overall population figures to determine the extent of the problem.
No recommendations for this finding
F05
A review of APS statistics from July 2002 through June 2003 indicates that Caucasian and Hispanics are the ethnic groups with the greatest incidence of elder abuse in Ventura County.
No recommendations for this finding
F06
The statistics provided by the County suggest equal numbers of referrals for alleged self-abuse or neglect to those referrals that identify a perpetrator.
No recommendations for this finding
F07
The APS Program Administrator sits as a consultant on FAST and there is an open invitation to all APS social workers to attend the monthly FAST meetings.
No recommendations for this finding
F08
APS takes an active role in assisting elders or dependent adults that are targeted by investment and telemarketing scams. APS reports the crime and the company to the appropriate oversight agency or any other request the elderly would have to protect them.
No recommendations for this finding
F09
APS conducts monthly outreach meetings to educate elders and dependent adults on how to protect themselves and their assets as well as to agencies and programs who provide services to these populations.
No recommendations for this finding
F10
APS provides quarterly training to mandated reporters (i.e. care custodians and health practitioners) who then train their staff on elder and dependent adult abuse and how to report it.
No recommendations for this finding
F11
The reporting of elder abuse in Ventura County is accomplished through a contract with INTERFACE social service agency to manage a 24-hour hotline where calls are taken and referrals are directly faxed to the appropriate regional office. The office assigns the problem to a trained professional the same day. If there is an imminent danger, then a social worker responds immediately. Should no imminent danger exist, the state mandates a social worker to respond within ten calendar days.
No recommendations for this finding
F12
APS receives a number of referrals for abuse and neglect from family, friends and neighbors of a senior victim. Referrals are also received from social workers and nurses of hospitals and home health agencies, law enforcement, fire departments, and Behavioral Health.
No recommendations for this finding
F13
There does appear to be some hesitancy by elders to report abuse incidents, because the perpetrator is often an adult child, a grandchild, a spouse, or a parent.
Related Recommendations (2)
R01
There is a need for an increased level of outreach with the Ventura County District Attorney's Office Victim Assistance Unit, and the FAST to immediately address the critical needs identified in the elder abuse problem within Ventura County.
R03
The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging should assume a more active role on the issue of elder abuse either through its Advisory Council Meetings or staff involvement with the APS. Responses Required Recommendations R-01 R-02 Responses Required From: Board of Supervisors X Ventura County District X Attorney’s Office Responses Requested Recommendations R-01 R-02 R-03 Responses Requested From: Human Services Agency X X X Area Agency on Aging X
F14
There seems to be a certain level of shame in the admission that this person would take advantage of them or abuse them physically, or that the elder would willingly allow this type of situation to occur.
Related Recommendations (2)
R01
There is a need for an increased level of outreach with the Ventura County District Attorney's Office Victim Assistance Unit, and the FAST to immediately address the critical needs identified in the elder abuse problem within Ventura County.
R03
The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging should assume a more active role on the issue of elder abuse either through its Advisory Council Meetings or staff involvement with the APS. Responses Required Recommendations R-01 R-02 Responses Required From: Board of Supervisors X Ventura County District X Attorney’s Office Responses Requested Recommendations R-01 R-02 R-03 Responses Requested From: Human Services Agency X X X Area Agency on Aging X
F15
There is also the fear that once the abuse is reported, the elder or dependent would have to leave their home.
Related Recommendations (2)
R01
There is a need for an increased level of outreach with the Ventura County District Attorney's Office Victim Assistance Unit, and the FAST to immediately address the critical needs identified in the elder abuse problem within Ventura County.
R03
The Ventura County Area Agency on Aging should assume a more active role on the issue of elder abuse either through its Advisory Council Meetings or staff involvement with the APS. Responses Required Recommendations R-01 R-02 Responses Required From: Board of Supervisors X Ventura County District X Attorney’s Office Responses Requested Recommendations R-01 R-02 R-03 Responses Requested From: Human Services Agency X X X Area Agency on Aging X
F16
The Program Administrator of APS is responsible to train mandated reporters on their legal responsibilities to report abuse and neglect of elders and dependent adults. Training is performed on a monthly basis either at the request of the employer or at the offer of Adult Protective Services.
No recommendations for this finding
F17
The APS and the District Attorney’s Victim Assistance Unit are on the Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Council where they conduct joint presentations to the public as well as other agencies on the topic of elder abuse.
No recommendations for this finding
F18
Human Services Agency's social workers work closely with the Victim Assistance Unit when one of their clients is in need of a restraining order or someone to accompany them to court.
No recommendations for this finding
F19
The elder population in the United States is increasing and California has the highest elder population in the country. This requires substantial state and federal funding to address senior issues including elder abuse. Conclusions C-01. The incidence of elder abuse is on the rise within Ventura County. The APS is actively involved in a public education program to increase the general public awareness, concerning the necessity of assisting individuals who are involved with elders so that they are less at risk. APS educates them in how to report incidences of abuse affecting seniors. (F-01, F-02, F-03, F-04, F-05, F-06, F-19) C-02. The APS staff has developed a comprehensive plan to address the incidence of elder abuse through the established network with the District Attorney's Office, FAST and other agencies within Ventura County. (F-09, F-10, F-11, F-12, F-14, F-15, F-16, F-17) C-03. The APS staff has developed a comprehensive training program for its social worker staff and the mandated reporters to address the elder abuse problem. (F-07, F-10) Recommendations
No recommendations for this finding

Additional Recommendations 1

These recommendations are not explicitly linked to specific findings.

Conclusions 1

Agency Responses 1

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

No Responses Found 2

Government entities assigned to respond to this report. No response documents have been linked in our database.

Ventura County Board of Supervisors Elected County Office
Ventura County District Attorney Elected County Office