Department of Aging and Adult Services FAQ's

Everyone is encouraged to report suspected elderly/dependent adult abuse and neglect.

All mandated reporters who, in their professional capacity, or within the scope of their employment have observed, suspects, or have knowledge of an incident that reasonably appears to be abusive or are told by an elder or a dependent adult that he or she has experienced behavior constituting in abuse must make a report.

Elder means any person residing in the State of California, 65 years of age or older.

Dependent adult means any person between the ages of 18 and 64 years who resides in California and who has physical or mental limitations that restrict his or her ability to carry out normal activities or to protect his or her rights, including, but not limited to, persons who have physical or developmental disabilities, or whose physical or mental abilities have diminished because of age.

Any person who has assumed full or intermittent responsibility for care or custody of an elder or dependent adult, whether or not that person receives compensation, including administrators, supervisors, and any licensed staff of a public or private facility that provides care or services for elder or dependent adults, or any elder or dependent adult care custodian, health practitioner, clergy member, or employee of a county adult protective services agency or a local law enforcement agency, is a mandated reporter.

Elder/dependent adult abuse is the mistreatment of an elder or dependent adult person. The law defines elder/dependent adult abuse as a single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, which causes distress or results in harm or loss to an elder or dependent adult.

• Nature of the harm or specific incident(s) that precipitated the report
• Date(s) and description(s) of the injuries or danger
• Identities of perpetrator(s) and their relationship/s to the victim
• Witnesses to the incident(s) and how they may be reached
• Details of any physical evidence available
• Does the perpetrator have current access to the elder/dependent adult?
• Present condition of the elder/dependent adult (alone, in need of medical
  attention, etc.)
• The location of the elder/dependent adult and directions to get there
• Any statements from the elder/dependent adult
• How the reporter came to know the information and the reporter’s thoughts
  about the likelihood of further harm to the elder/dependent adult

These are just several examples of the questions that may be asked when reporting abuse or neglect of dependent or elderly adults. The reporter’s
identity is confidential, but a name should be given so the Department could follow-up contact with the reporter if necessary. The reporter is free from
civil or criminal liability for reports of suspected elder/dependent adult abuse or neglect made in good faith.

When a person notifies the Department of Aging and Adult Services regarding possible abuse or neglect of an elder/dependent adult, Adult Protective Services (APS) social workers determine how quickly to proceed with an investigation by assessing the referral information and focusing on the present and future risks to the elder/dependent adult. Considering the condition of the elder/dependent adult and the risk of future maltreatment helps a social worker determine how quickly to respond to a APS referral and what priority to assign that referral. This process involves accepting oral or written allegations of elder/dependent adult abuse or neglect for further investigation, gathering the information to determine the need for APS and the urgency of the situation and initiating the appropriate response and an investigative plan.

Physical abuse includes assault, battery, assault with a deadly weapon, unreasonable physical constraint, prolonged or continual deprivation of food or water, sexual assault and rape.

Psychological/mental abuse includes fear, agitation, confusion, severe depression and other forms of serious emotional distress that are brought about by threats, harassment and intimidation.

Financial abuse can result from taking, secreting or appropriating money or property of an elder or dependent adult by a person who has the care or custody of, or who is in a position of trust to an elder or dependent adult.

Negligence occurs if a caregiver fails to assist the elder or dependent adult in personal hygiene; provide food, clothing or shelter; protect from health and safety hazards; or prevent malnutrition or dehydration.

Abduction means the removal from California and/or the restraint from returning to California of any elder or dependent adult who does not have the capacity to consent to the removal from or restraint from returning to California.

Abandonment means the desertion or willful forsaking of an elder or a dependent adult by anyone who has care or custody of that person under circumstances in which a reasonable person would continue to provide care and custody.

Isolation means prevention from receiving phone calls or mail, false imprisonment or physical restraint from meeting with visitors.

Neglect means the negligent failure of any person, including the individual having the care or custody of an elder or a dependent adult, to exercise that degree of care that a reasonable person, in a like position, would exercise, to include failure to assist in personal hygiene or in the provision of food, clothing or shelter; or failure to provide medical care, to protect from health and safety hazards, prevent malnutrition or dehydration.

In the case of an imminent danger, call 911 immediately!

Call the County Adult Protective Services (APS) agency CAAHL Center 24 Hour Toll Free Hotline 1-877-565-2020 or the local law enforcement agency immediately or as soon as practicably possible

Complete a written report on the Suspected Dependent Adult/Elder Abuse (SOC 341) Form and send to 412 West Hospitality Lane or fax to (909) 388-6718 within two working days.