Brought to you by the California Department of Justice Co-sponsored by P R

Brought to you by the
California Department of Justice
INV
EST
IGA
TE
PRO
SECUT
E
Co-sponsored by
California Department of Justice
PROTECT
IA
CALIFORN NERAL
STATE OF
Y GE
TTORNE
A
E
H
T
E OF
OFFIC
December
2002
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uide to Preve
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The result is
igence
er Abuse.”
ld
with your dil
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p
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Reportin
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rity
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live with secu
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ly
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ti
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California’s
perience and
ensuring that
in
st
Decades of ex
si
as
l
il
resource w
and care, this
and dignity.
Dear Fellow
Californians:
Introduction
Table of Contents
This guide is divided into three chapters. Chapter 1 addresses
three of today’s most prevalent areas of elder abuse:
Chapter 1: Elder Abuse.....................2-19
• Physical and emotional abuse
• Financial abuse
• Abuse in long-term care facilities
In each of these areas, the guide provides (1) a basic
overview and definition; (2) a discussion of the most common
warning signs; and (3) practical advice on how to protect
yourself, a loved one or friend from victimization.
Chapter 2 explains how to report elder abuse and to whom.
Chapter 3 provides a collection of valuable websites to
readers in search of additional advice and information.
Acknowledgments
This guide was prepared by the California Department of
Justice’s Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud & Elder Abuse and Crime
& Violence Prevention Center, in conjunction with AARP.
The Department of Justice gratefully acknowledges the
following organizations for their contributions:
Contributors (In alphabetical order):
California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform, California
Community Partnership for the Prevention of Financial Abuse,
California Welfare Directors Association, Department of
Justice-Government Law Section, Office of the Alameda
County District Attorney, Office of the Contra Costa County
District Attorney, Office of the San Diego County District
Attorney and University of Southern California.
Part A: Physical and
Emotional Abuse ................................3-4
What is Physical and Emotional
Elder Abuse? ...............................................3
Recognizing the Warning Signs ..................3-4
Part B: Financial Elder Abuse .....5-13
What is Financial Elder Abuse? ..................5
Recognizing the Warning Signs ..................6
Telemarketing Fraud ...................................7-8
Identity Theft................................................9
Home Improvement Scams.........................10-11
Estate Planning Hazards.............................12-13
Part C: Elder Abuse in the
Long-Term Care Facility .................14-19
What is Long-Term Care? ...........................14
How to Choose a Long-Term Care Facility .14-15
Recognizing the Warning Signs ..................16-17
Residents’ Bill of Rights...............................18-19
Chapter 2: Reporting
Elder Abuse ..............................................20-34
Part A: How to Report .....................21
Part B: To Whom to Report ...........22-34
Adult Protective Services (APS)..................22-25
Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program......26-29
County Law Enforcement and
Prosecution Agencies..................................30-33
Department of Justice, Bureau of
Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse ................34
Chapter 3: On-Line Resources.....35-36
1