HOME CARE and CARE MANAGEMENT
Marin, San Rafael, Novato,
Santa Rosa, Healdsburg & North Bay

Elder Abuse Awareness

Everyday, thousands of aging adults are vulnerable to strangers who prey upon them and who use their vulnerability to their own advantage. Predators may use the telephone or an on-line chat or email platform to seek out victims to manipulate. 

Their bottom line is to get the senior person to give them money. Some of their methods are shockingly and blatantly demanding and verbally threatening.  Elder persons who are particularly vulnerable are those who are isolated, who may fall prey more easily to scams and to callers who know how to get them to comply.

Elder Abuse Awareness is so important. Of course, physical and emotional abuse is horrible to think about, but it happens sadly, every day. Some care takers have resorted to actual physical abuse, emotional trauma and severe neglect.

Each County has agencies and services that can help.  Also, we can do our part to be sure we educate our parents and grandparents about those phone calls from strangers, that ask for private information over the phone. They may call several times developing rapport with them and helping them to feel comfortable about giving them their credit card information.
Inform them to not give any private information to anyone over the phone. 

The article below has examples to help to become informed about the various areas of abuse and the important issues to warn your loved-one to be watchful of.

National Council on Aging Article on Elder Abuse

If you suspect your elder friend, loved-one or family member is being abused, gather as much information about the suspect and victim as possible and call your local California Listing of County Departments of Adult Protective Services to report it.  You will need the victims name, address, phone number, date of birth, family member's names and phone numbers and the suspected abuser's name, phone number, address, etc. 

To complete a form if you suspect abuse and want to document it and send it to your County Adult Protective Services. Suspected Dependent Adult Abuse Reporting