How to Report Elder Abuse in California

As adults grow older, their wisdom increases, and so can their vulnerability. According to the California Department of Justice, the elderly are very susceptible to a wide array of abuse, including physical abuse, financial abuse, sexual abuse and neglect. Once you identify the warning signs of elder abuse in the State of California, it is your responsibility and obligation to report the abuse so that appropriate interventions can be initiated promptly.

Things You'll Need

• Telephone access
• Camera

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Instructions

• 1

  Recognize the warning signs of elder abuse so that you know how to identify a victim of abuse. Some of the more obvious signs include unexplained bruising, malnourishment, bed sores and bone fractures. Taking photographs of your observations can help prove the existence and the extent of the injury.

• 2

  Contact the Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse if the individual resides in a hospital or long-term care facility. This includes assisted living facilities and skilled nursing homes. The bureau investigates all different types of insurance fraud and elder abuse, including physical, emotional and financial abuse. You can call the Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse at 800-722-0432 to report any type of elder abuse. If there is a life-threatening emergency, you should call 911 or your local law enforcement.

• 3

  Report all forms of suspected elder abuse to your local county adult protective services if the individual resides in his home, or other location, such as a relative's home. The State of California has a guide that discusses reporting elder abuse that can be found at http://www.ag.ca.gov/bmfea/pdfs/citizens_guide.pdf, which contains a listing of the phone number and address to each county's adult protective services branch in California.