Older Adult Abuse & Neglect

WHAT WE DO

Adult Protective Services (APS) responds to reports of abuse of Alameda County residents age 60 years and older and dependent adults between ages 18-59 who, for mental or physical reasons, cannot protect their rights or carry out typical daily activities.

APS services are provided without regard for income, and acceptance of service is voluntary.  

Reports may be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, mail, online and fax.

The identity of the individual who reported the abuse to APS is to be kept confidential, even from the victim, unless the reporting party waives confidentiality. 

Call us now at (510) 577-3500 or 1-866-CALL-APS 

Help prevent adult abuse by learning about resources, warning signs and knowing the benefits of reporting abuse.

1. Learn the Warning Signs

• Inconsistent explanations for injuries
• Recent changes in personality and attitude
• The caregiver is angry or aggressive
• Personal items or documents are missing
• Lack of basic necessities and amenities
• The caregiver has a history of abuse
• Inconsistencies in the client's banking
• For more information on warning signs and types of abuse click here.

2. Request APS In-service Presentations
Our staff is available to lead presentations to community groups and other organizations regarding abuse prevention, awareness and resources. Please call 510-577-3500 to schedule a presentation. 

3. Participate in an Online Training
Designed for Mandated Reporters, the California State Department of Social Services has created an online training that is informative for all. Please check it out here.

4. Understand the Benefits of Reporting Abuse

• The older adult will be given options to keep themselves safe
• The APS worker can link the older adult and their family to needed community resources
• Family and friends can be alerted to help
• The APS worker can help caregivers identify supports for caregiver burnout
• In some cases, the abuse perpetrator can be prosecuted, preventing harm to others
• The reporter can feel relief that the situation is being assessed by a professional

Did you Know?

Alameda County APS facilitates and supports many multi-team efforts, including a Financial Abuse Specialist Team, a collaboration between the District Attorney’s Office, the Tax Collector, County Counsel, law enforcement partners and others to combat criminal elder abuse

• Elder abuse can happen in different forms; physical, sexual, psychological, financial, neglect and self-neglect.

Listed below are the different types of abuse and warning signs you may encounter:

1. Physical Abuse

The infliction of physical pain or great bodily harm, which can include, but is not limited to; assault or battery, abduction, constraint, sexual abuse, isolation and abandonment.

Warning Signs:

• Inadequately explained fractures, bruises, welts, cuts, sores, and burns
• Pressure "bed" sores
• Bruise or burn patterns like those found in child or domestic abuse
• Medications used to restrain victims

2.  Psychological Abuse

The infliction of mental anguish which can include, but is not limited to; threatening, humiliating, intimidating, and isolating behaviors.

Warning Signs: 

• Caretaker isolates victim. For example, they restrict visits, phone calls, or won't let you into their home.
• Caretaker is violent, aggressive, controlling, addicted, or uncaring.

3.  Financial Abuse

The illegal or improper exploitation of funds or other resources. This may include theft of personal property, such as money or jewelry, misusing possessions or perpetrating scams. Victims may be subject to undue influence or more direct tactics when this abuse occurs.

Warning Signs:

• Lack of amenities that the victim could afford
• The victim "voluntarily" giving inappropriate financial reimbursement for needed care and companionship. This is criminal when the victim is under undue influence
• The caretaker has control of the victim's money but is failing to provide for the victim's needs
• The caretaker is using the victim's money to support themselves financially
• The victim has signed property transfers, Power of Attorney, a new will or other documentation when they are unable to comprehend the transaction

4.  Neglect

• Self-Neglect

The failure of an elder or dependent adult to adequately take care of themselves and meet the demands of daily living to eat, pay bills, meet personal hygiene needs and/or take medication.

• Neglect by Others

This is the refusal or failure to fulfill caretaking obligations. This includes abandonment or isolation; denial of food, shelter, clothing, medical assistance or personal needs; the withholding necessary medication or assistive devices. Neglect can be intentional or unintentional.

Warning Signs:

• Lack of basic body or personal hygiene
• Lack of adequate food or water
• Lack of medical aids such as; glasses, walker, wheelchair, hearing aid, dentures or medications
• Lack of clean, appropriate clothing or linens
• Demented victim left alone and unsupervised
• Bedbound victim left without proper care
• Home cluttered, filthy, in a state of disrepair, or having health, fire and safety hazards
• Home lacking the minimum equipment and facilities such as; stove, refrigerator, heat, cooling, working plumbing, and electricity
• Animal hoarding

Did you Know?

While APS receives more than 6,000 reports of abuse each year, it continues to be one of the most underreported crimes, with only an estimated 1 in 7 cases reported, and:

• More than 50% are self-neglect
• More than 50% of dependent adult abuse involves physical and/or sexual abuse
• In cases with an outside perpetrator, more than 50% are forms of financial abuse

Everyone should report all observed, known, or suspected senior and dependent adult abuse to Adult Protective Services.

• In the case of a life threatening emergency situation, please call 911.
• Reports may be made 24 hours a day, 7 days a week by phone, mail, on-line and fax.
  • Call: (510) 577-3500 or 1-866-CALL APS
  • Mail: 6955 Foothill Blvd., 3rd Floor, Oakland, 94605
  • On-Line: https://reporttoaps.org/ 
  • FAX: (510) 577-5615

Remember that all reports are confidential.

Mandated Reporters

Who They Are

Mandated Reporters are individuals who work with seniors or disabled adults, that are required by law to report any suspected abuse. These include, but are not limited to:

• Health care practitioners and their office staff
• Members of the clergy
• Adult personal care providers
• Adult and Child Services staff
• Law enforcement officers
• Officers & employees of financial institutions
• Medical examiners
• Any person who has assumed full or intermittent responsibility for the care of a senior or dependent adult

When to Report

If you are a Mandated Reporter, you are required to report if:

• You witness an incident
• You have information or evidence of an incident
• A victim tells you about an incident or presents any of the warning signs

All reports will be confidential, and only shared with other investigative agencies if required.

You can find more information in the Protection Act.

Participate in an online training for Mandated Reporters here.

1. Communication
   If an individual or mandated reporter needs to report a suspected case of abuse, Adult Protective Services can provide more information, instructions on how to proceed, and referrals to other agencies if needed. 
2. Confidentiality
   The identity of anyone who reports abuse is confidential and may be disclosed only among APS agencies and partners.
   Partners include:
   Local law enforcement agencies
   Long-Term Care Ombudsman Programs
   The California State Attorney General Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse
   Licensing agencies or their counsel
   The Department of Consumer Affairs Investigators
   The District Attorney
   The Probate Court
   The Public Guardian
   
   APS appreciates and depends on the community to provide information that protects older and dependent adults. We may not be able to provide information regarding abuse reports you make or the clients we serve. APS is bound by laws and principles that protect the rights of clients and their personal information. For information regarding the rights of individuals under APS, click here.
3. Investigation
   Once a report has been made, Adult Protective Services (APS) will investigate the case. This is done through an investigation of the allegations and involvement with the alleged victim. A social worker will be assigned to the case and they will assess the situation. Other law enforcement agencies may be involved if further investigation is required.
   It isn't mandatory for the alleged victim to cooperate with the investigation, and any involvement with APS will always be voluntary, unless a penal code section has been violated.
4. Cooperation
   Social Workers can provide connections to community services and other support to the client. They may also work closely with family, friends and others to offer further assistance.
   Remember, the client may withdraw their consent to assistance at any time in the process.

Did you Know?

Collaboration with APS is both voluntary and confidential, and because you may not receive an update it doesn’t mean that APS isn’t working hard to remedy abuse.