Elder Justice
This Resource Guide was created by the Elder & Dependent Adult Abuse
Prevention Council of Santa Barbara County in association with the Central
Coast Commission for Senior Citizens, Area Agency on Aging
Recognizing the Signs…
Emotional Abuse
- Threatening, belittling, or controlling caregiver behavior that you witness
- The caregiver isolates the elder: refusing to allow access to visitors,
mail phone, etc.
- Uncharacteristic behavior such as withdrawal or changes in alertness.
Sexual Abuse
- Bruises around breasts or genitals
- Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases or unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding
- Torn, stained, or bloody clothing
Neglect by Caregivers or Self-Neglect
- Unusual weight loss, malnutrition, dehydration
- Untreated physical problems, such as bed sores
- Unsanitary living conditions: dirt, bugs, soiled bedding and clothes
- Poor hygiene, lack of clean or appropriate clothing
- Unsafe living conditions (no heat or running water, faulty electrical wiring,
fire hazards)
- Desertion of the elder at a public place
Financial Exploitation
- Significant or unauthorized withdrawals from the elder’s accounts
- Sudden changes in the elder’s financial condition
- Items or cash missing from the household
- Suspicious changes in wills, power or attorney, titles, and policies
- Addition of names to the elder’s signature card
- Unpaid bills or lack of medical care, although the elder has enough money
to pay for them
- Financial activity the elder couldn’t have done, such as ATM withdrawals
by a bedridden account holder
- Unnecessary services, goods, or subscriptions
- Unusual change in spending habits
Scams
- Constant phone calls from various phone numbers
- Elder/adult suddenly wiring money
- Large accumulation of lottery mail
- Elder/adult secretive about a relationship with someone they have not met in person
Physical Abuse
- Signs of being restrained, such as rope marks on wrists
- Unexplained signs of injury such as bruises, welts, scars, broken bones
or sprains
- Over or under medication
- Broken eyeglasses or frame
- Caregiver’s refusal to allow you to see the person alone
- Report of drug overdose or apparent failure to take medication regularly
- Physical or chemical restraints for caregiver’s convenience
Protecting Yourself…
Do:
- Stay Active with your local senior center. It can be a valuable source
of information.
- Plan for your care as you age. Identify reliable people who can provide
assistance if needed.
- Review your finances regularly. Be extremely cautious when selecting “trustworthy”
individuals to help manage your affairs when needed.
- Participate in community activities. Volunteering is a great way to have
contact with others and make friends.
- Keep your power of attorney for finance and health care in order and select
a trustworthy person(s).
Don’t:
- Don’t put off preparing your future physical and financial needs.
- Don’t accept personal care from anyone in exchange for property or
assets without a lawyer or other trusted advocate to witness the transaction.
- Don’t allow others to keep details of your finances from you.
- Don’t give out personal or financial information to people you don’t
know, especially over the phone.
- Don’t sign legal documents that you do not understand.
Reporting…
- Dial 911 to report elder abuse or neglect to the Police NOW if the abuse
is immediate and life-threatening.
-
Elder Abuse Hotline at
805-568-2442 to report allegations of abuse when you are unsure of where to call.
-
Adult Protective Services, County of Santa Barbara,
844-751-6729 if you suspect elder abuse in the community.
-
Long Term Care Ombudsman
805-922-1236 report suspected abuse occurring at board and care homes, nursing homes,
and assisted living facilities. Statewide Ombudsman after-hours crisis line:
800-231-4024.
Resources…
General Information
-
Senior Connection, a senior information & assistance service "
1-805-928-2552
-
District Attorney Elder Abuse Unit/Fraud Hotline 805-568-2442
In Spanish
805-346-7454
-
Santa Barbara County DA Victim-Witness Assistance Program
-
Santa Barbara
805-568-2400
-
Santa Maria
805-346-7529
-
Lompoc
805-737-7910
- Public Guardian 805-568-2790
- Long Term Care Ombudsman 805-922-1236
- Alzheimer’s Association 1-800-272-3900
-
Adult Protective Services 1-844-751-6729
-
Santa Barbara
805-681-4550
-
Santa Maria
805-346-8303
-
Lompoc/Santa Ynez
808-737-6020
-
To report suspected elder/dependent adult abuse
844-751-6729
Legal Assistance
-
Legal Aid Foundation of Santa Barbara County
-
Santa Maria
805-922-9909
-
Santa Barbara
805-963-6754
-
Lompoc
805-736-6582
- Lawyer Referral Service 805-569-9400
- California Rural Legal Assistance 805-922-4563
Domestic Violence
-
Domestic Violence Solutions for Santa Barbara County
-
Santa Barbara
805-964-5245
-
Santa Maria
805-925-2160
-
Santa Ynez
805-686-4390
-
Lompoc
805-736-0965
Mental Wellness
-
Family Services Agency of Santa Barbara County
-
Santa Maria
805-928-1707
-
Santa Barbara
805-965-1001
-
Lompoc
805-735-4376
-
Center for Successful Aging – Senior Peer Counseling
805-898-8080
- Pacific Pride Foundation Countywide 805-963-3636
-
Tribal Health Clinic, Santa Ynez
805-688-7070
Veteran Services
-
Veterans Service Office, County of Santa Barbara
-
South County
805-681-4500
-
North County
805-354-6000
- V.A. Caregiver Support Line 855-260-3274
Financial Fraud and Exploitation Resources
Credit Card Fraud
If you are a victim of identity theft, or you want to avoid becoming a
victim of identity theft, call these agencies to freeze new accounts being
opened in your name. Also, for disputes regarding your credit record.
Mail Fraud
-
U.S. Postal Inspection Services
Report mail fraud:
http://postalinspectors.uspis.gov
877-876-2455
-
Opt-out from unsolicited mail, pre-approved credit card, and insurance offers:
888-567-8688
-
Direct Marketing Association Inc.
Remove name from mailing & emailing list:
www.dmachoice.org
Telephone Fraud
-
Federal Trade Commission (FTC)
Telemarketing fraud/identity theft
877-382-4357
-
Do Not Call Registry.
Stop telemarketers from calling you:
www.donotcall.gov
888-382-1222
Internet Crime/Spam
Broker/Investment Fraud
-
California Department of Business Oversight
Seniors Against Investment Fraud (SAIF)
866-275-2677
-
Concerns about brokers, investment advisers financial planners, mortgage
lenders and bill payers:
www.corp.ca.gov
-
Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) Broker Check
Check the background of a broker or brokerage:
800-289-9999
Consumer Issues
-
California Department of Consumer Affairs
Check licenses for doctors, nurses and other healthcare professionals:
www.dca.ca.gov
800-952-5210
-
California Department of Insurance
Insurance concerns:
www.insurance.ca.gov
800-927-4357
-
California Department of Real Estate
Real estate concerns:
www.dre.ca.gov
213-620-2072
-
California Public Utilities Commission
Utility complaints:
www.cpuc.ca.gov/puc
800-649-7570
-
Contractors State License Board
Concerns regarding licensed and unlicensed contractors:
www.cslb.ca.gov
800-321-2752
-
Better Business Bureau of the Tri-Counties
Fosters honest & responsive relationships between businesses and consumers.
Dispute resolution. Community education. Scam tracker.
www.bbb.org
805-963-8657
The mission of the Elder & Dependent Adult Abuse Prevention Council
of Santa Barbara County is to prevent elder and dependent adult abuse
and to develop a comprehensive and collaborative community response to
abuse in Santa Barbara County.
