Elder Abuse
The Elder Abuse Unit is dedicated to the investigation and prosecution of crimes against elderly and dependent adults.
Financial Abuse:
Any theft of an elder’s money or property; may include wrongful use of legal documents such as power of attorney. There are various types of crimes constituting elder and dependent adult fraud, and various types of perpetrators. Most cases involve a perpetrator who is known to the victim such as a child, grandchild, sibling, friend, bookkeeper or caregiver. Typical crimes include forged checks, unauthorized use of credit cards and good credit, embezzlement (e.g. using the victim’s money to pay expenses of the perpetrator without their knowledge and/or consent), and theft by false pretenses (e.g. obtaining a victim’s signature on legal documents without the victim truly understanding the consequences of the subject transaction); often times this includes tapping into the victim’s home equity by way of refinancing a home loan, obtaining a home-equity line of credit or a reverse mortgage.
Neglect:
Failure of a caregiver to provide food, clothing, shelter, assistance with hygiene and protection from dehydration, malnutrition and health and safety hazards.
Emotional Abuse:
Fear, confusion or depression brought about by threats, intimidation of deception.
Abandonment:
Desertion of an elder or dependent person by someone charged with his or her care.
Physical/Sexual Abuse:
Any physical pain or injury committed against an elder. ALL sexual acts committed without consent or ability to give consent.
What are some of the warning signs of Elder/Dependent Adult Abuse?
- Not being given the opportunity to speak for yourself in presence of your caregiver
- Your caregiver is too aggressive with you
- Caregiver has problems with alcohol/drugs
- If you feel socially isolated and your caregiver says he/she is the only one who cares about you
- If you notice your caregiver lying to others about how your injuries occurred
- Uncomfortable behavior by a caregiver towards you
- Caregiver using your money for their benefit. Repeatedly pressuring you for money or power of attorney
Signs that someone you know may be a victim
- If you notice bruises, or abnormal color changes/spots, especially bleeding
- If a person looks dirty, has sores or rashes, and poor hygiene, they may be neglected
- Helplessness or hesitation to talk openly may be a sign
- Depression, withdrawal, and suicidal acts or refusing medical attention
- Sudden social isolation
- Sudden involvement of a previously uninvolved relative or a new friend
- Pressure to change will, power of attorney or to add a name to a property deed or to bank accounts
- Disparity between lifestyle of the elder and the elder’s caregiver
How to Report Abuse:
- In an emergency call 911
- Report abuse to Adult Protective Services or Law Enforcement
Alliance on Aging
Reports of suspected abuse in licensed care facilities:
(831) 655-1334 Monterey (831) 758-4011 Salinas
Alzheimer’s Association
(831) 647-9890 Monterey
(831) 757-0531 Salinas
American Cancer Association
(831) 442-2992 Salinas
American Heart Association
(831) 757-6221 Salinas
California Rural Legal Assistance (CRLA)
(831) 757-5221 Salinas
(831) 724-2253 Watsonville
Catholic Charities
(831) 393-3110 Seaside
(831) 753-5314 Salinas
Central Coast Senior Services, Inc.
(831) 649-3363
Legal Services for Seniors
(831) 442-7700 Salinas
(831) 899-0492 Seaside
Monterey County Department of Social & Employment Services - Aging & Adult Services
(831) 755-3403 Salinas
(831) 883-7565 Monterey
Military & Veterans Affairs Office
(831) 647-7610
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES:
American Association of Retired Persons
AARP
(866) 448-3614
Food Bank of Monterey County
(831) 758-1523
Meals on Wheels
(831) 375-4454 Pacific Grove
(831) 758-6325 Salinas
Medi-Cal Information
(800) 541-5555
Medicare Information
(800) 633-4227
Monterey County Social & Employment Services - Food Stamps & Cash Aid
(831) 755-4400 Salinas
(831) 899-8001 Seaside
Monterey County Transportation for Seniors (831) 240-0850 Salinas
(831) 233-3447 Monterey
Monterey Salinas Transit (MST) Rides Program
(831) 899-2555 Monterey
(831) 424-7695 Salinas
Senior Helpline
(800) 510-2020
Senior Nutrition Programs
(831) 633-3084 Castroville
(831) 646-3878 Monterey
Social Security & Supplemental Security Income
Call (800) 772-1213
TTY(800) 325-0778
For Additional Resources in
Monterey County, Dial 2-1-1
Behavioral Health Access & Managed Care
Bay Area Suicide & Crisis Intervention Alliance (BASICIA)
(877) 663-5433 or
(831) 459-9373
Behavioral Health
(831) 796-1700 Salinas
(831) 647-7652 Monterey
Community Human Services Crisis Line
(831) 373-4773
Institute on Aging
(800) 971-0016
(415) 752-3778
Local Lifeline Response Systems
Salinas Valley Memorial Health Care System
(831) 755-0788
Mental Health Crisis Line
(831) 755-4111
National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI)
Monterey County
(831) 375-6264
National Institute of Mental Health
(301) 443-4513 or
(866) 615-6464
The District Attorney’s Office will provide speakers to interested groups who want to learn more about the topic of elder abuse.