Safe Way to Report Elder Abuse

By San Diego County Aging & Independence Services

If you suspected that your elderly neighbor was being taken advantage of by a grandson, would you: A) Do something to help your neighbor; or B) Mind your own business?

People would probably say they'd do "A," but most end up doing "B." They aren't being heartless. As a culture that respects individual privacy, we tend not to get involved in someone's situation unless the person asks for help. Beyond that, many people don't know whom to call to investigate. Others fear for their own well-being if they do step in, or worry that it will hurt their relationship with the neighbor.

There is a "safe" way to put your mind at ease. You can contact your local Adult Protective Services. A trained social worker will visit your neighbor, talking with him/her away from the grandson, and will assess if there might be a problem in the household that could be considered some form of elder abuse. Your identity as the reporting party will never be divulged to your neighbor.

Elder abuse takes many forms: physical, emotional, sexual, financial, neglect or abandonment, isolation or abduction. Many APS cases involve more than one type of abuse. And, most commonly, family members are the abusers. With your elderly neighbor, the grandson might be forcing her to write checks for him, intimidating her, maybe even hurting her physically. But you may never actually see any direct harm coming to the woman.

Instead, you could see other clues that she might be a victim of abuse, such as the woman being agitated or depressed, the grandson restricting your access to her, weight loss, or a change in hygiene and personal appearance. Usually there are several signs of trouble. There could be other explanations for these changes, but wouldn't you want to put your mind at rest?

You don't have to wait to be absolutely sure there's a problem before reporting your suspicions of elder abuse. Just call and describe what you're noticing that causes you to suspect trouble. People are protected from civil and criminal liability if they make a report of elder abuse in good faith.

The general public is not required to report elder abuse, but there are mandated reporters among social, health and law enforcement professionals, plus the clergy and caregivers. Mandated reporters can suffer penalties for not reporting elder abuse, including jail for up to six months or/and a fine up to $1,000. Penalties increase if the victim suffers great bodily harm or dies as a result of abuse that went unreported.

Elder abuse reporting lines are available seven days a week, 24 hours a day. Mandated reporters are required to fill out and send in a form (SOC 341) within 48 hours of making the verbal report.

Unfortunately, once you've made a report, you may not discover what transpires because APS has strict confidentiality requirements. The social workers can't disclose personal information about the family to the person who reported suspected abuse. If you're a neighbor, you might see someone visiting the family, or later see an improvement in the situation, but unfortunately you won't be kept in the loop unless your neighbor shares with you what's happening.

Making a report to APS does not necessarily mean that law enforcement and/or prosecution will be involved. In many situations, legal measures are unnecessary. Sometimes another family member can be brought in to handle the problem. Or bringing help into the home, such as money management assistance or home care, can make enough of a difference to alter an abusive situation.

You should be aware that even competent elderly persons make what others think are bad decisions. Your neighbor's grandson may indeed be taking advantage of her, but if she knows what he's doing and she still wishes to indulge him, there's nothing that can be done. People can, and do, refuse help from APS workers.

Self-neglect is also a form of elder abuse. If your neighbor who lives alone appears to be changing dramatically mentally and/or seems to be having trouble taking care of himself/herself, report the situation.

If you have any suspicion of self-neglect, or elder abuse by others, contact Adult Protective Services or the Elder Abuse Reporting Line in your area.