ELDER ABUSE AWARENESS & PREVENTION
If you feel you or someone you know is the victim of Elder Abuse,
REPORT THIS CRIME NOW!
How do I report elder abuse?
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If the victim is in IMMEDIATE danger, CALL 911
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If the victim is NOT in immediate danger, contact your local county Adult Protective Service
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If the victim is a resident of a long term care facility, contact:
PSA 2 Ombudsman Services
(530) 229-1435
1649 Hartnell Ave., Ste. 5
Redding, CA 96002
What is Adult Protective Services (APS)?
The Adult Protective Services (APS) program is supervised by the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) and administered locally by each county (most often the Department of Social Services). It provides assistance to elderly and dependent adults who are functionally impaired, unable to meet their own needs or are victims of abuse, neglect (including self neglect), or exploitation.
Adult Protective Service agencies investigate reports of abuse which occur in private homes, acute care hospitals, clinics, adult day care facilities and social day care centers. APS may also provide various services to address the abuse or neglect, such as case management, emergency shelter or in-home protection, transportation, counseling, etc., to guarantee the safety of an endangered elder (dependent on each county's budgetary resources).
What is the Ombudsman Program?
The Ombudsman program is funded through the Federal Older Americans Act and is administered by the Administration on Aging and The California Department of Aging (CDA). Within the CDA, the office of the state long-term care Ombudsman provides policy direction and oversight. The program is mandated to identify, investigate and resolve complaints made by or on behalf of residents in long-term care facilities.
Local APS Contact Information
LASSEN COUNTY ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES
(530) 251-8158
720 Richmond Road
Susanville, CA 96130
MODOC COUNTY ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES
(530) 233-6501
120 N. Main Street
Alturas, CA 96101
SHASTA COUNTY ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES
(530) 225-5798 Main Office and 24 Hour Hotline
2640 Breslauer Way
Redding, CA 96001
SISKIYOU COUNTY ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES
(530) 841-4200 (during business hours) or
(530) 842-7009 24 Hour Emergency Hotline
2060 Campus Drive
Yreka, CA 96097
Siskiyou County Sheriff's Office - Anonymous Tips!
TRINITY COUNTY ADULT PROTECTIVE SERVICES
(530) 623-1314 – 24 Hour Reporting Line
#51 Industrial Park Way
Weaverville, CA 96093
Who should report the crime?
A concerned friend or family member, a Mandated Reporter or, if possible, the victim.
What is a Mandated Reporter?
Under California law, certain individuals are legally mandated to report known or suspected instances of elder abuse. The following is a partial list of mandated reporters:
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Physicians and medical professionals
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Clergy
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All employees of health care facilities, such as hospitals, skilled nursing facilities, adult day care centers and residential care facilities
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Any individual who assumes responsibility for the care or custody of an elderly person
Any mandated reporter who fails to report elder abuse may be guilty of a crime. (California Welfare and Institutions Code section 15630)
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
"Coming of Age" Lecture Series
These two 20-minute elder abuse lectures are presented by Laura Mosqueda, M.D, geriatrician, researcher and Co-Director of the Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse at University of California, Irvine. The "Coming of Age" lecture series is produced at University of California, Davis Center for Healthy Aging and UC San Diego Academic Geriatric Resource Center.
Elder Abuse: An Overview
Intended for general audiences
Forensic Markers of Elder Abuse
Intended for professionals who work with older adults
A Citizen's Guide to Preventing & Reporting Elder Abuse
This educational tool offers guidance on ways seniors and their caretakers can identify the tell-tale signs of elder abuse and practical advice on how to avoid and report victimization. The guide is available to the public at no cost and may be obtained online or by writing the Office of the Attorney General, 1300 I Street, Suite 1150, Sacramento, CA 95814.
Resource provided by the California Department of Justice.
