Elder abuse and exploitation have a significant impact on older adults who experience it, including an increased risk for death, worsening of chronic illness, increased likelihood of hospitalization and placement in a nursing home, as well as increased rates of depression, anxiety, among other consequences.
Legal justice can be helpful to restoring a sense of personal security and reclaiming dignity for the survivor of the abuse. By taking the time to learn about elder abuse, you’re doing your part to end elder abuse and exploitation.
In this interview, Page Ulrey, Senior Deputy Prosecuting Attorney for the King County Prosecutor’s Office, is on the podcast discussing:
- The impact of elder abuse on older adults
- Barriers to reporting elder abuse cases
- Recommendations to improving elder abuse reporting system
- Common elder abuse cases
- Recommendations for mandated reporters
- Recommendations for loved one’s concerned about an older adult
Where to Report Elder Abuse
If you suspect abuse, you can do something about it. First, recognize and acknowledge the signs, then report the situation so it can be investigated. Here’s how:
- For imminent risk or harm, call 911
- File a report with the Division of Aging Services’ Adult Protective Services at 1-866-552-4464
- For older adults in Assisted Living, Senior Living, Personal Care Homes, Nursing Homes, etc, the DCH Health Care Facilities Regulation at 1-800-878-6442
- Long-Term Care Ombudsman
- Find your local Ombudsman by calling your local Area Agency on Aging.
- Call the Office of State Long-Term Care Ombudsman 1-866-552-4464
Legal Resources
- National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys
- Legal Services Corporation an independent nonprofit established by Congress in 1974 to provide financial support for civil legal aid to low-income Americans
- Your local Area Agency on Aging can point you in the direction of Elder Care Attorneys
Related Elder Abuse Episodes:
- Elder Abuse and Elder Abuse Reporting Resources
- Elder Financial Abuse by Family Members: Schottenstein Family Story
- Preventing Elder Financial Abuse & Exploitation
- Legal Justice for Seniors: Ending Elder Abuse, Neglect, and Financial Exploitation
References:
- National Center on Elder Abuse, Research, Statistics, & Data, Retrieved on June 22, 2021 from: https://ncea.acl.gov/What-We-Do/Research/Statistics-and-Data.aspx
- Lachs MS, Williams CS, O’Brien S, Pillemer KA, Charlson ME. The Mortality of Elder Mistreatment. JAMA. 1998;280(5):428–432. doi:10.1001/jama.280.5.428 https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jama/fullarticle/187817
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Dr. Regina Koepp is a board certified clinical psychologist, clinical geropsychologist, and founder and CEO of the Center for Mental Health & Aging: the “go to” place for mental health and aging. Dr. Koepp is a sought after speaker on the topics of mental health and aging, caregiving, ageism, resilience, intimacy in the context of life altering Illness, and dementia and sexual expression. Dr. Koepp is on a mission to ensure mental health and belonging for older adults, because every person at every age is worthy of healing, transformation, and love. Learn more about Dr. Regina Koepp here.
Regina Koepp, PsyD, ABPP
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