The elder abuse community education program is designed to increase public education and awareness of how to:
• Identify abuse and identify individuals who are at high risk.
• Report abuse
• Access available community resources to prevent abuse and assist caregivers
To schedule a presentation on Elder Abuse Awareness for your community, fill out our Outreach Event Request Form below.
Elder abuse can take on many forms. It may include:
• Lack of basic amenities
• Cluttered, filthy living environment
• Unexplained or uncharacteristic in behavior
• Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases
• Unpaid bills, new credit cards, and/or increased cash withdrawals
• Harassment, coercion, intimidation, humiliation
• Caregiver isolates elder
You do not need to confirm abuse is happening to report abuse. If you suspect someone is being abused, you can report the situation based on where it occurred using the resources as follows:
Adult Protective Services (APS): Provides a system of in-person response to reports of abuse and self-neglect about developmentally disabled adults, physically and mentally disabled adults, and older people who may be victims of abuse.
Phone: 877-477-3646
Visit the web page, https://wdacs.lacounty.gov/videos/aps-home-safe-program/
The Long Term Care Ombudsman program provides advocacy for residents in long-term care facilities (skilled nursing and assisted living). The Ombudsman investigates complaints and conducts preliminary abuse investigations in that setting. You can contact them at (800) 334-9473 between 8:30 AM and 5:00 PM or (800) 231-4024 during after hours. You may also email them at ombudsman2@wiseandhealthyaging.org.
Scams can happen in many ways – in-person, through phone calls, online, emails, texts, and mail. According to research, Americans lose $40 Billion each year to fake and dishonest phone calls alone. 56-80% of these phone calls target older adults, and scams are becoming more elaborate.
Below are resources to learn about the warning signs and how to prevent yourself from being scammed:
FBI List of Common Fraud Schemes Protecting Seniors from Online Scams to report fraud, identity theft, or unfair business practice, please call the Federal Trade Commission at 1-877-382-4357To report an online scam or fraud, contact the FBI online fraud complaint at https://www.ic3.gov/default.aspx