Dependent Adult & Elder Abuse (W&I 15610(b)) §Abuse of an elder or a dependent adult means physical abuse, neglect, intimidation, cruel punishment, fiduciary abuse, abandonment, or other treatment with resulting physical harm or pain or mental suffering, or the deprivation by a care custodian of goods and services which are necessary to avoid physical harm or mental suffering.

Elder Dependent Adult §Any person residing in this state, 65 years of age or older §Anyone residing in this state, 18-64, with physical or mental limitations restricting ability for normal activities or protection of own rights, includes persons with physical or developmental disabilities.

Our Community is Aging §Between 1989 and 2030 population of 65+ will double §In 1985 only 14% of the elderly were persons of color. In 2020 the proportion will increase to 21% §In 2006 the first wave of Baby Boomers turn 65 §Women outlive men

What Does Being “Old” Mean? §PC 368 defines elder as someone 65+ §Because of medical and nutritional advances, “old old”, or 85+ is the fastest growing segment of society

How Are Abilities Affected? §Eye sight deteriorates l Many need bifocals by age 50 l Depth & distance perception deteriorates §Cognition slows a bit l Major deficit is speed, not comprehension or ability §Reaction time slows §Hearing impairment can occur §Touch and pain not as acute

Aging’s effect on the body §All senses decline in sensitivity, which impact behavior l loss of visual acuity can create self-doubt and confusion; as well as wariness l loss of hearing makes one paranoid and suspicious l we bruise easier and heal more slowly

Aging and Cognitive Skills §Alzheimer’s, Huntingtons Chorea, other dementing illnesses create personality changes over time l they are not part of the normal aging process §Elders with any cognitive impairment tend to under-report/minimize abuse l unless they’ve been examined and found to be incompetent, listen to them

Dementia §Deterioration of intellectual functioning l not a part of normal aging process l progressive memory lapses confusion verbal impairments loss of bladder/bowel control §Many causes l Alzheimer’s (most common) l Parkinson’s l Huntington’s Chorea l Syphilis l Alcoholism l Stroke major and minor

Memory loss § § §75-79 § § §90 plus §3 % loss §5 % loss §10 % loss §15 % loss §22 % loss §41 % loss

There’s More ? §Dehydration happens more frequently and can cause confusing behavior §Stroke or cervovascular accidents (CVA) - can impair motor, speech, thinking processes §Skin ulcers (bed sores, decubiti) can indicate neglect (by self or others)

Depression §Can look like dementia §Can be result of loss of abilities §Loss of loved one §Loss of power (unsatisfied retirement) §Can result in dangerous self-neglect

Capacity §An elder has capacity when their mind l functions well enough to hold them responsible l their mind functions too well to deprive them of their civil liberties §Incapacity l needing protection from exploitation of others

REMEMBER, ELDERS WANT: §Respect §Honor §Not to be seen as a special vulnerable class (sitting ducks)