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Frequently Asked Questions Directory:
- What is Elder Abuse?
- What constitutes Elder Abuse?
- Who do I call if I suspect Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse?
- When did the Elder Abuse Forensic Center open?
- Where is the Elder Abuse Forensic Center located?
- Why was the Elder Abuse Forensic Center created?
- What is the Elder Abuse Forensic Center?
- What agencies comprise the Elder Abuse Forensic Center?
- What is the purpose of the Elder Abuse Forensic Center?
- What services does the Elder Abuse Forensic Center offer?
- Who supports the Elder Abuse Forensic Center?
| Q: |
What is Elder Abuse?
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| A: |
Elder and dependent adult abuse is the abuse, mistreatment, or
neglect of an elderly person or disabled adult.
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| Q: |
What constitutes Elder Abuse?
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Elder and dependent adult abuse may include neglect,
self-neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional
or verbal abuse or financial abuse. Victims of elder
abuse include adults 65 years of age and over and
dependent adults 18-64 years of age who are physically,
developmentally, or emotionally disabled.
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| Q: |
Who do I call if I suspect Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse?
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If you suspect elder abuse in Orange County, CA you should call Adult Protective Services’ toll free phone number at 1-800-451-5155. Emergency response is available 24 hours a day. If it is a life-threatening situation call the police/sheriff’s department at 911. Outside Orange County, CA – If you suspect elder abuse, neglect or exploitation, please call the national Elder care locator, a public service of the U.S. Administration on Aging at 1-800-677-1116. In case of emergency, call your local police station or 911. Click for location-specific information. |
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When did the Elder Abuse Forensic Center open?
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The Center opened in May of 2003.
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Where is the Elder Abuse Forensic Center located?
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Santa Ana, California (County of Orange)
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| Q: |
Why was the Elder Abuse Forensic Center created?
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Each year, approximately 2 million American seniors are abused,
neglected, or exploited. In Orange County, Adult Protective
Services receives 500 reports of abuse each month. For every report
of abuse, five go unreported, indicating that more than 30,000 of
our County's most vulnerable adults endure elder abuse each year.
The Elder Abuse Forensic Center is changing the way elder abuse
cases are prosecuted through an unprecedented collaborative process.
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| Q: |
What is the Elder Abuse Forensic Center?
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The Elder Abuse Forensic Center is staffed by professionals
from legal, medical, social services, and law enforcement
agencies who conduct case reviews; in-home medical and mental
status, and evidentiary investigation; taped victim interviews;
education; consultation; and research.
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| Q: |
What agencies comprise the Elder Abuse Forensic Center?
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The Center is comprised of the following 9 agencies: UCI College of
Medicine, Geriatrics, Adult Protective Services, Office of the District
Attorney, Sheriff's Department, Public Administrator/Public Guardian,
Community Service Programs, Long-Term Care Ombudsman, Older Adult Services,
and Human Options
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What is the purpose of the Elder Abuse Forensic Center?
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The purpose of the Center is to:
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Prevent and combat the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of at-risk older
and disabled adults in our local community through the collaboration of
professionals in law, medicine, and social services.
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Educate professionals who deal with the crime of elder abuse including
law enforcement, the medical community, social services, the legal community,
government officials and investigative agencies, academic institutions, as
well as older adults and their families regarding effective prevention and
prosecution.
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Advance the awareness of elder abuse through research on abuse and neglect of
at-risk older and disabled adults.
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Create a new standard for interventions that are effective in combating and
preventing mistreatment of older adults.
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What services does the Elder Abuse Forensic Center offer?
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The Elder Abuse Forensic Center offers a number of services
including: multi-agency team case review and action plans,
in-home medical and mental status evaluations, in-home
evidentiary investigation, taped victim interviews, education,
training and consultation. All coordinated services ultimately
provide assistance to seniors and adults with disabilities who
have been abused or neglected.
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Who supports the Elder Abuse Forensic Center?
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The Elder Abuse Forensic Center is made possible through a grant
from the Archstone Foundation and the in-kind contribution of the
9 agencies it houses. The Archstone Foundation is a private
grantmaking organization, with a mission to contribute toward
the preparation of society in meeting the needs of an aging
population. Its resources are used to help all generations plan
for the aging process and support programs addressing the needs
of the elderly in three areas: healthy aging and independence,
quality of life within institutions, and end of life issues.
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