SAFETY TIPS FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

Elder Abuse
Elder abuse can take many forms: neglect such as denying medical treatment or food; illegal or improper financial exploitation including stealing possessions or money; and emotional abuse or physical assaults on a person over 65-years-old.

There is often great reluctance and/or fear on the part of the elder to report abuse. Threats of placement in a nursing home or shame that a family member may be involved often prevent the elder from seeking help. Therefore, sensitivity to these issues must guide those wishing to offer assistance in suspected abuse cases.

Elder Abuse Hotline:
1 -800-523-6444

Physical Abuse:
Any physical pain or injury which is willfully inflicted upon an elder by a person who has care or custody of, or who stands in a position of trust with that elder, constitutes physical abuse. This includes, but is not limited to, direct beatings, sexual assault, unreasonable physical restraint, and prolonged deprivation of food or water.

Financial Abuse:
Any theft or misuse of an elder's money or property, by a person in a position of trust with an elder, constitutes financial abuse.

Neglect:
The failure of any person having the care or custody of an elder to provide that degree of care which a reasonable person in a like position would provide constitutes neglect. This includes, but is not limited to:

1. Failure to assist in personal hygiene or the provision of clothing for an elder.

2. Failure to provide medical care for the physical and mental health needs of an elder. *This does not include instances in which an elder refuses treatment.

3. Failure to protect an elder from health and safety hazards.

Self-Neglect:
Failure to provide for self through inattention or dissipation. The identification of this type of case depends on assessing the elder's ability to choose a life-style versus a recent change in the elder's ability to manage.

Psychological/Emotional Abuse:
The willful infliction of mental suffering, by a person in a position of trust with an elder, constitutes psychological/emotional abuses. Examples of such abuse: verbal assaults, threats, instilling fear, humiliation, intimidation, or isolation of an elder.

Abandonment:
Abandonment constitutes the desertion or willful forsaking of an elder by any person having the care and custody of that elder, under circumstances in which a reasonable person would continue to provide care of custody.

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Report Elder Abuse
It is important to report a case of suspected abuse. If abuse is suspected, check it out, ask questions. Although you may not be sure a case actually involves elder abuse, it is best to contact the agency in your area that receives reports about elder abuse and let the professionals make the determination.

Anyone who comes upon a situation of suspected abuse, including friends, neighbors, community workers, home health aids, etc., is strongly encouraged to report her/his findings. Symptoms and conditions of suspected abuse should be defined clearly, specifically, and objectively.

Rights of Elders:
The elder has the right to determine her/his affairs to the full extent of her/his ability.

• The elder has the right to receive protective services in the least restrictive environment possible to achieve freedom, safety, and least disruption of lifestyle.
• The elder's freedom to choose is of higher priority than the elder's safety. That is, if the elder is competent to choose, that choice may include living self-destructively, as long as the elder commits no crimes and harms no one.
• When interests compete, the elder has the right to make decisions until s/he voluntarily delegates responsibility to another, or the court grants this responsibility to another.
• The elder has the right to confidentiality: Information regarding the client's affairs should only be shared between agencies as authorized by the client. Written client consent forms are suggested.

Important Numbers and Addresses:
Elder Abuse Hotline:
1 -800-523-6444

Elder Abuse and Neglect:
County of San Diego Adult Protective Services
Reporting Hotline: 1-800-510-2020

San Diego City Attorney's Office
1200 Third Avenue, Suite 700
San Diego, CA 92101

Case Management:
Area Agency on Aging
9335 Hazard Way, Suite 100
San Diego, CA 92123
(619) 495-5216

Elder Help of San Diego
4069 30th Street
San Diego, CA 92104
(619) 284-9281

Food/Home Delivered Meals:
Meals on Wheels of Greater San Diego
METRO: (619) 295-9501 SHARE Program
1-800-773-7407
(Call for dates, times and places for pickup)

Medical Equipment/Supplies:
The Access Center of San Diego
1295 University Avenue, Suite 10
San Diego, CA 92103
(619) 293-3500

San Diego County Medical Services
(619) 492-4444

HICAP
(Health Insurance Counseling and Advocacy Program)
Call for site nearest you: (858) 565-8772

In Home Support:
Department of Social Services - In-Home Support
County of San Diego
(619) 338-2418
San Diego Hospice
(619) 688-1600

General Information:
Senior Information and Assistance
(619) 560-2500 Ombudsman Services
(619) 560-2507
24 hr Crisis Line: 1-800-231-4024

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