Thank you for visiting our website. We hope the information is helpful to you. Below are some Frequently Asked Questions and related resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: I suspect that my adult relative/friend/neighbor/client/patient/acquaintance is being abused or neglected. Who can help?
A: In California, ask your local Aging and Disability Information Referral Line by dialing 1-800-510-2020. You can also find reporting information by visiting the California Department of Social Services website at https://www.cdss.ca.gov/complaints
Anywhere in the U.S., call the ElderCare Locator for a referral by dialing 1-800-677-1116. You can also visit the NCEA State Directory https://ncea.acl.gov/Resources/State.aspx to find agencies in your area
Q2: I’d like to learn about your elder abuse research and how the findings can be useful to service providers/investigators. Where should I start?
Q3: I’m developing a training course and would like to see what materials are already available.
A: You are welcome (with appropriate attribution) to use the materials we have posted here
We have some helpful links by professional discipline here
Feel free to contact us at centeronelderabuse@uci.edu if you have additional questions about training specific types of audiences.
Q4: I would like to inquire about having a customized training presented by Elder Abuse Training faculty. How can I get information/a quote?
A: Please send an email to centeronelderabuse@uci.edu and include specifics:
- Target audience
- Desired topic
- Type(s) of expertise desired
- Date(s)/Approximate date(s)
- Length of the training/presentation
- Location
- Honorarium
Download a one-page flyer (PDF) about our training packages
Q5: I would like information on statistics related to elder abuse.
With a multitude of variations between (and even within) service systems, it can be difficult to find and interpret data on elder abuse incidence, prevalence, types, victim and perpetrator demographics, etc. “The Availability and Utility of Interdisciplinary Data on Elder Abuse: A White Paper for the National Center on Elder Abuse” (NCEA, 2006) “highlights data sources on elder abuse in the health care, long term care, criminal justice, fiduciary, and legal services arenas, beyond adult protective services data.”
In California, sources of statistics include Adult Protective Services, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and the Attorney General’s Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse.
- Adult Protective Services RADR Data Tables, Trends and Reports
- California Department on Aging Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
- The California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes released a report in 2009 CA Elder Abuse Investigators: Ombudsman Shackled by Conflicting Laws and Duties
- California Attorney General Criminal Justice Statistics Center (CJSC) http://oag.ca.gov/crime includes statistics on Violent Crimes Committed Against Senior Citizens in California
- Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes (Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse)
Nationally, resources for statistical information include:
- Administration for Community Living National Center on Elder Abuse
- Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice National Criminal Justice Reference Services
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Elder Mistreatment Data Sources
- Industry research reports on Elder Financial Abuse include:
- MetLife’s 2009 “Broken Trust: Elders, Family, and Finances” and a follow-up analysis of news articles, the MetLife Study of Elder Financial Abuse
- The Investor Protection Trust (IPT)’s national “IPT Elder Investor Fraud Survey”
Q6: I heard your community has the nation’s first Elder Abuse Forensic Center. How can I learn more about it?
A: Visit our Elder Abuse Forensic Center page at http://www.centeronelderabuse.org/EAFC.asp and/or read related articles:
- “Elder Abuse Forensic Centers”
- Schneider DC, Mosqueda L, Falk E, Huba Gj
J Elder Abuse Negl, 22: (3-4); 255-274
- Schneider DC, Mosqueda L, Falk E, Huba Gj
- “Findings from an elder abuse forensic center.”
- Wiglesworth A, Mosqueda L, Burnight K, Younglove T, Jeske D
Gerontologist. 2006 Apr; 46(2):277-83
- Wiglesworth A, Mosqueda L, Burnight K, Younglove T, Jeske D
- “Combating elder and dependent adult mistreatment: the role of the clinical psychologist.”
- Wiglesworth A, Kemp B, Mosqueda L.
J Elder Abuse Negl. 2008; 20(3):207-30.
- Wiglesworth A, Kemp B, Mosqueda L.
Q7: I’m from an Elder Abuse Multi-Disciplinary Team and would like to consult the Orange County Elder Abuse Forensic Center about a case. Where do I start?
A: Please email us at centeronelderabuse@uci.edu
Q8: I’m a concerned citizen. How can I help prevent elder abuse in my community?
Thank you for wanting to prevent elder abuse in your community. Ways to help include:
Know it, see it, report it. Learn the signs and how to refer to community resources.
http://www.centeronelderabuse.org/Red%20Flags%20of%20Elder%20Abuse.asp
Raise awareness of abuse and neglect.
http://www.centeronelderabuse.org/related.asp Raising Public Awareness
Q9: My adult relative/friend/neighbor/client/patient experienced abuse, neglect or exploitation. How can I help him/her deal with the effects of abuse?
A:
- “How can I help a friend or family member who is being abused?” guidance from National Domestic Violence Hotline
- “Help for Victims and Friends of Victims” resources from National Organization for Victim Assistance
- “What Services Are Available?” a short guide by the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse
National
- Office for Victims of Crime, http://ojp.gov/ovc/#
- National Suicide Prevention Lifeline
1-800-273-TALK (8255) [24/7 hotline]
1-888-628-9454 (Spanish) 1-800-799-4889 (TTY) - National Domestic Violence Hotline
1-800-799-SAFE (7233) [24/7 hotline in English y Espanol]
1-800-727-3224 (TTY) - National Consumers League Fraud Center has tips and articles to help you recognize fraud and an online form to file a complaint
California
Q10: I would like information on preventing elder mistreatment in nursing homes.
A: Below are some resources that might help.
If interested in partnering with us to present a training on elder abuse, learn about our training packages
http://www.centeronelderabuse.org/docs/EATI_TrainingPackages2.pdf
and feel free to contact us with details about your training needs at
centeronelderabuse@uci.edu
The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care http://www.theconsumervoice.org/ (formerly NCCNHR):
- Advocates for public policies that support quality care and life;
- Empowers and educates consumers and families;
- Trains and supports individuals and groups to advocate for and empower consumers;
and - Promotes the critical role of direct-care workers and best practices in quality-care delivery
National Consumer Voice Factsheet on Abuse and Neglect
https://theconsumervoice.org/uploads/files/issues/abuse-and-neglect-fact-sheet-june2016.pdf
Join or support the Ombudsman programs. Long-Term Care Ombudsmen are dedicated to enhancing the lives of long term care residents through advocacy, education, and resolving resident complaints.
http://www.ltcombudsman.org/
Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) is a non-profit organization, based in Philadelphia, that is dedicated to improving the quality of life for vulnerable older people
http://www.carie.org/
Abuse Prevention Training Program for Long Term Care Staff
http://www.carie.org/programs-services/for-provider-professionals/abuse-prevention/
National Center on Elder Abuse–Nursing Home Abuse Prevention Profile & Checklist
National Center on Elder Abuse List of Reports and Studies
https://ncea.acl.gov/What-We-Do/Research/Research-Database.aspx
Canadian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse – Abuse in Institutions
http://www.cnpea.ca/abuse_in_institutions.htm
Q11: I would like information on statistics related to elder abuse
With a multitude of variations between (and even within) service systems, it can be difficult to find and interpret data on elder abuse incidence, prevalence, types, victim and perpetrator demographics, etc. “The Availability and Utility of Interdisciplinary Data on Elder Abuse: A White Paper for the National Center on Elder Abuse” (NCEA, 2006) “highlights data sources on elder abuse in the health care, long term care, criminal justice, fiduciary, and legal services arenas, beyond adult protective services data.”
In California, sources of statistics include Adult Protective Services, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, and the Attorney General’s Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse
- Adult Protective Services RADR Data Tables, Trends and Reports
- California Department on Aging Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program
- The California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes released a report in 2009 CA Elder Abuse Investigators: Ombudsman Shackled By Conflicting Laws and Duties
- California Attorney General Criminal Justice Statistics Center (CJSC)
http://oag.ca.gov/crime includes Report on Violent Crimes Committed Against Senior Citizens in California, 1998 - Elder Abuse in Nursing Homes (Bureau of Medi-Cal Fraud and Elder Abuse)
The NCEA Directory of State Resources can help you find agencies in any state.
https://ncea.acl.gov/Resources/State.aspx
Nationally, resources for statistical information include:
- Administration for Community Living National Center on Elder Abuse
- Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice National Criminal Justice Reference Service
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Elder Mistreatment Data Sources
- Industry research reports on Elder Financial Abuse include:
- MetLife’s 2009 “Broken Trust: Elders, Family, and Finances” and a follow-up analysis of news articles, the MetLife Study of Elder Financial Abuse
- The Investor Protection Trust (IPT)’s national “IPT Elder Investor Fraud Survey”
Q12: I’m a family caregiver for an older adult or adult with a disability. I need help . . . what resources are available?
A: To get connected to local programs and services:
Visit Elder Care Locator online:
https://eldercare.acl.gov/Public/Index.aspx
or call 1-800-677-1116
Visit National Clearinghouse for Long-Term Care Information website. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services developed this website to help you understand what long-term care is, how and where you can get information and services you need – now or in the future, and how to pay for services.