Elder Abuse

What is Elder Abuse?
Elder Abuse takes many forms. It can be physical or psychological and it can happen instantly (like an assault) or very slowly, like the deprivation of food or water. Just because a health care provider tells you something is “normal” or “part of the dying process” does not mean what you are seeing is not abuse. Trust your gut.

What is Elder Neglect?
California’s Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act prohibits, among other things, elder neglect by the parties whose responsibility it is to take care of an elderly person (age 65 or older) or dependent adult. Neglect is defined under California law as: “The negligent failure of any person having the care or custody of an elder or a dependent adult to exercise that degree of care that a reasonable person in a like position would exercise.”