Staying Financially Healthy

Educating seniors, professionals, caregivers, and the public on abuse is critical to prevention. If you’re an older adult, you can stay safe by:

• Taking care of your health.
• Seeking professional help for drug, alcohol, and depression concerns and urging family members to get help for these problems.
• Attending support groups for spouses and learning about domestic violence services.
• Planning for your own future. With a power of attorney or a living will, you can address health care decisions now to avoid confusion and family problems later. Seek independent advice from someone you trust before signing any documents.
• Staying active in the community and connected with friends and family. This will decrease social isolation, which has been connected to elder abuse.
• Posting and opening your own mail.
• Not giving personal information over the phone.
• Using direct deposit for all checks.
• Having your own phone.
• Reviewing your will periodically.
• Knowing your rights. If you engage the services of a paid or family caregiver, you have the right to voice your preferences and concerns. If you live in a nursing home, call your Long Term Care Ombudsman. The ombudsman is your advocate and has the power to intervene.

Here are some sources for Legal Assistance in California:

• Bet Tzedek Legal Services- 323-939-0506

• California State Attorney General- 800-952-5225
• Legal Aid Foundation of Los Angeles- 800-399-4529
• Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office Elder Abuse Hotline 877-477-3646
• Los Angeles County Bar Association Lawyer Referral & Information Smart Law 213-243-1525
• Los Angeles County District Attorney Elder Abuse Section 213-257-2290
• Los Angeles County Public Administrator Public Guardian 213-974-0515
• CANHR State Bar Certified Lawyer Referral Service 800-474-1116 

Here are the second three of the six categories of elder abuse. 

Neglect By Caregivers and Self-Neglect

• Unusual weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration
• Untreated physical problems, such as bed sores
• Unsanitary living conditions: dirt, bugs, soiled bedding and clothes
• Poor hygiene, lack of clean or appropriate clothing
• Unsafe living conditions (No heat or running water; faulty electrical wiring, fire hazards)
• Desertion of the elder at a public place

Financial Exploitation

• Significant or unauthorized withdrawals from the elder’s accounts
• Sudden changes in the elder’s financial condition
• Items of cash missing from the household
• Suspicious changes in wills, power of attorney, titles and policies
• Addition of names to the elder’s signature card
• Unpaid bills or lack of medical care, although the elder has enough money to pay for them
• Financial activity the elder couldn’t have done, such as ATM withdrawals by a bedridden account holder
• Unnecessary services, goods or subscriptions
• Unusual change in spending habits

Scams

• Constant phone calls from various phone numbers
• Elder/adult suddenly wiring money
• Large accumulation of lottery mail
• Elder/adult secretive about a relationship with someone they have not met in person

Mandatory Reporters
In most states, professions that engage in regular contact with children are listed as mandatory reporters. In at least 18 states, however, there are no listed mandatory reporters – anyone and everyone who knows or suspects that child abuse has occurred is required by law to make a report.

Mandated reporters are healthcare providers, licensed or unlicensed social service providers for vulnerable adults, paid or unpaid caretakers, care custodians, the clergy, and other professionals in a position of trust who suspect elder or dependent adult abuse or neglect, including self-neglect.

In states with defined mandatory reporter lists, however, the following professions are frequently listed:

• Day care workers
• Dental assistants and hygienists
• Doctors' office staff persons
• Emergency medical technicians
• Family practitioners
• Foster care workers
• Hospital personnel
• Medical examiners
• Nurse practitioners
• Police officers
• Practical nurses
• Psychiatrists and psychologists
• Registered nurses
• School administrators, advisors, and paraprofessionals
• Social workers
• Teachers and teachers' aides

The federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) maintains a list of mandatory reporters by state.

Elder abuse includes physical, sexual, financial, emotional or psychological, neglect or abandonment, and self-neglect of anyone age 60+. Though the definition of elder abuse may vary by state, elder abuse, like child abuse, is widely believed to be committed by those in a trusting relationship with the older adult. 

This is never an easy topic or conversation however, for the next four post, we will be addressing elder abuse. We will look at the signs so that we know what to recognize, and then we will list resources to contact if you suspect that elder abuse if being committed. 

Mandated reporters are healthcare providers, licensed or unlicensed social service providers for vulnerable adults, paid or unpaid caretakers, care custodians, the clergy, and other professionals in a position of trust who suspect elder or dependent adult abuse or neglect, including self-neglect.

Here are  the first three of the six categories of elder abuse. 

Physical Abuse

• Signs of being restrained, such as rope marks on wrists
• Unexplained signs of injury such as bruises, welts, scars, broken bones or sprains
• Over or under medication
• Broken eyeglasses or frame
• Caregiver’s refusal to allow you to see the person alone
• Report of drug overdose or apparent failure to take medication regularly
• Physical or chemical restraints for caregiver’s convenience

Emotional Abuse

• Threatening, belittling, or controlling caregiver behavior that you witness
• Caregiver isolates elder: refuses to allow access to visitors, mail, phone, etc.
• Uncharacteristic behavior such as withdrawal or changes in alertness

Sexual Abuse

• Bruises around breasts or genitals
• Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases or unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
• Torn, stained or bloody underclothing