removing broken link
| ←Older revision | Revision as of 06:05, 15 May 2019 | ||
| Line 4: | Line 4: | ||
|
== Steps ==
|
== Steps ==
|
||
|
=== Working with Adult Protective Services ===
|
=== Working with Adult Protective Services ===
|
||
| − |
#Talk to your loved one. Adult Protective Services (APS) can't do anything without the consent and cooperation of the elderly person being abused, so you have to make sure your loved one is on board.
|
+ |
#Talk to your loved one. Adult Protective Services (APS) can't do anything without the consent and cooperation of the elderly person being abused, so you have to make sure your loved one is on board.<ref>http://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/elder-abuse-and-neglect.htm</ref>[[Image:Take Legal Action Against Elder Abuse Step 1.jpg|center]]
|
|
#*Keep in mind that getting your loved one's cooperation may be an uphill battle. He or she may defend or make excuses for the caregiver you believe is responsible for the abuse, or may fear retaliation if the abuse is reported.
|
#*Keep in mind that getting your loved one's cooperation may be an uphill battle. He or she may defend or make excuses for the caregiver you believe is responsible for the abuse, or may fear retaliation if the abuse is reported.
|
||
|
#*Generally, the person will be more likely to cooperate if he or she trusts in you and understands that you have his or her best interests at heart. You can help nurture this trust by visiting the person on a regular basis, asking him or her detailed questions, and talking openly about your relationship and the person's role in your life.
|
#*Generally, the person will be more likely to cooperate if he or she trusts in you and understands that you have his or her best interests at heart. You can help nurture this trust by visiting the person on a regular basis, asking him or her detailed questions, and talking openly about your relationship and the person's role in your life.
|
||
| Line 14: | Line 14: | ||
|
#*Contacting APS is appropriate if your loved one is not a resident of a nursing home or other facility. Although some APS agencies handle complaints of abuse in nursing homes, there are other procedures that must be completed first and other state regulatory agencies which may be more appropriate to respond.
|
#*Contacting APS is appropriate if your loved one is not a resident of a nursing home or other facility. Although some APS agencies handle complaints of abuse in nursing homes, there are other procedures that must be completed first and other state regulatory agencies which may be more appropriate to respond.
|
||
|
#*The National Center on Elder Abuse has a listing of state reporting numbers and government agencies available on its website. Visit http://bit.ly/2Ywf1fD and click on your state on the map to find offices near you.
|
#*The National Center on Elder Abuse has a listing of state reporting numbers and government agencies available on its website. Visit http://bit.ly/2Ywf1fD and click on your state on the map to find offices near you.
|
||
| − |
#File your report. Each APS agency has a specific form you must fill out to report elder abuse. Forms may be available online, or you may have to go into the local office.<ref>http://bit.ly/1Ow3oeL
|
+ |
#File your report. Each APS agency has a specific form you must fill out to report elder abuse. Forms may be available online, or you may have to go into the local office.<ref>http://www.helpguide.org/articles/abuse/elder-abuse-and-neglect.htm</ref>[[Image:Take Legal Action Against Elder Abuse Step 3.jpg|center]]
|
|
#*Unlike many other forms of legal action, anyone can report elder abuse to the APS – you don't have to have any particular relationship to the victim or the authority to act on his or her behalf.
|
#*Unlike many other forms of legal action, anyone can report elder abuse to the APS – you don't have to have any particular relationship to the victim or the authority to act on his or her behalf.
|
||
|
#*For example, if you live next door to an elderly woman whose nephew cares for her, and you are concerned that the nephew is abusing the woman, you can file a report with APS.
|
#*For example, if you live next door to an elderly woman whose nephew cares for her, and you are concerned that the nephew is abusing the woman, you can file a report with APS.
|
||
| Line 20: | Line 20: | ||
|
#*Along with information about the abuse, you also should include any relevant medical information about the elderly adult victim – particularly if he or she is apt to experience confusion or memory loss.
|
#*Along with information about the abuse, you also should include any relevant medical information about the elderly adult victim – particularly if he or she is apt to experience confusion or memory loss.
|
||
|
#*If you acquire additional information after you've filed your report, or if something else happens, you should contact the APS office to find out how you can update the case file.
|
#*If you acquire additional information after you've filed your report, or if something else happens, you should contact the APS office to find out how you can update the case file.
|
||
| − |
#Meet with the caseworker. Once the agency receives your report, it will be evaluated for urgency and assigned to a caseworker charged with investigating the situation.
|
+ |
#Meet with the caseworker. Once the agency receives your report, it will be evaluated for urgency and assigned to a caseworker charged with investigating the situation.[[Image:Take Legal Action Against Elder Abuse Step 4.jpg|center]]
|
|
#*Many APS agencies are significantly over-worked and under-staffed, so don't be surprised if it takes a few weeks for a caseworker to be assigned. If you feel the situation is urgent, you may want to take other action such as filing a police report.
|
#*Many APS agencies are significantly over-worked and under-staffed, so don't be surprised if it takes a few weeks for a caseworker to be assigned. If you feel the situation is urgent, you may want to take other action such as filing a police report.
|
||
|
#*The caseworker will explain the agency's process to you and how he or she will investigate your allegations.
|
#*The caseworker will explain the agency's process to you and how he or she will investigate your allegations.
|
||
|
#*Typically you will receive a case plan that provides a general outline of the actions that will be taken and the time frames within which you can expect to hear from the caseworker after each phase of the investigation is complete.
|
#*Typically you will receive a case plan that provides a general outline of the actions that will be taken and the time frames within which you can expect to hear from the caseworker after each phase of the investigation is complete.
|
||
|
#*The caseworker may ask you questions about the information contained in your report, and often will ask you for the names of other friends or family members close to the elderly person who may have information about the situation.
|
#*The caseworker may ask you questions about the information contained in your report, and often will ask you for the names of other friends or family members close to the elderly person who may have information about the situation.
|
||
| − |
#Cooperate with the investigation. As the caseworker investigates the situation, you may be contacted to provide further information or otherwise assist the caseworker.
|
+ |
#Cooperate with the investigation. As the caseworker investigates the situation, you may be contacted to provide further information or otherwise assist the caseworker.[[Image:Take Legal Action Against Elder Abuse Step 5.jpg|center]]
|
|
#*In some situations, you may be asked to accompany the caseworker when he or she visits your loved one. This is most likely to happen in cases where the elderly person has significant problems with confusion or memory loss.
|
#*In some situations, you may be asked to accompany the caseworker when he or she visits your loved one. This is most likely to happen in cases where the elderly person has significant problems with confusion or memory loss.
|
||
|
#*The caseworker also may need your assistance getting in touch with other friends or family members of the elderly person.
|
#*The caseworker also may need your assistance getting in touch with other friends or family members of the elderly person.
|
||
|
#*At various points during the investigation, the caseworker may want to discuss options with you for removing your loved one from the abusive situation or getting other help.
|
#*At various points during the investigation, the caseworker may want to discuss options with you for removing your loved one from the abusive situation or getting other help.
|
||
| − |
#Follow up on the caseworker's report. After the initial investigation, the agency may continue to monitor the situation as needed to ensure the abuse does not continue.
|
+ |
#Follow up on the caseworker's report. After the initial investigation, the agency may continue to monitor the situation as needed to ensure the abuse does not continue.[[Image:Take Legal Action Against Elder Abuse Step 6.jpg|center]]
|
|
#*Depending on the caseworker's findings, he or she may file a police report or recommend that you take further legal action such as filing a lawsuit.
|
#*Depending on the caseworker's findings, he or she may file a police report or recommend that you take further legal action such as filing a lawsuit.
|
||
|
#*Police officers also may conduct periodic "well being" checks if there is concern for your loved one's safety, particularly if there is suspicion that he or she is being abused by his or her caretaker.
|
#*Police officers also may conduct periodic "well being" checks if there is concern for your loved one's safety, particularly if there is suspicion that he or she is being abused by his or her caretaker.
|
||
from wikiHow - Recent Changes [en] http://bit.ly/2Hm8Ghg
via IFTTT
