Elder Abuse, Neglect and
Exploitation
Training for Professionals
Please Sign In
2006
1-800-96-ABUSE
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Presented by
Florida Department of Elder
Affairs (DOEA)
in collaboration with
Florida Department of Children
& Families (DCF)
2006
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Training Goal
The overall goal for this
training is to increase
awareness of the mandatory
reporting requirements and to
improve communication
between professionals and the
Abuse Hotline.
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Department of Elder Affairs

Long-Term Care OMBUDSMAN
Program is designed to protect the
rights of long-term care facility
residents through investigation of
complaints and education.

1–888-831-0404
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1-800-96-ABUSE
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Abuse, Neglect
and Exploitation
Is defined in Chapter 415, Florida
Statutes
 Partnership of DOEA and DCF serves
to assist Florida’s elders to live in
elder-friendly communities

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Adult Protective Services
(APS) Investigates…
allegations of abuse, neglect and
exploitation for disabled individuals
age 18 and older.
 allegations of elder abuse, neglect
and exploitation for individuals age
60 and older.

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ADULT ABUSE, NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION REPORTS
FY 94-95 thru 03-04
41,547
39,829
39,516
35,519
45,000
40,000
29,408
28,849
28,032
35,000
24,998
22832
30,000
25,000
20,000
15,000
10,000
5,000
0
94-95
2006
95-96
96-97
87-98
98-99
99-00
1-800-96-ABUSE
00-01
01-02
02-03
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Alleged Maltreatments By
Type
Abuse
Neglect
23%
30%
Special
Exploitation
Conditions
14%
(Self-Neglect)
33%
2006
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Overview of Elder Abuse,
Neglect and Exploitation



Abuse, neglect and exploitation is a
complex and often hidden problem.
The Department of Children & Families
(DCF) investigates and corrects abuse,
neglect and exploitation through the
reports taken by the Florida Abuse Hotline
(1-800-96-ABUSE).
Everyone has a responsibility to make a
report when abuse, neglect or
exploitation is suspected.
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What are Indicators of
Abuse, Neglect and
Exploitation?
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What Is Abuse?

Abuse means any willful act or
threatened act by a relative, caregiver, or
household member which causes or is
likely to cause significant impairment to a
vulnerable adult’s physical, mental, or
emotional health.

Abuse includes acts and omissions.
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What Is Neglect?

Neglect means the failure or omission on the part of the
caregiver or vulnerable adult to provide the care,
supervision, and services necessary to maintain the
physical and mental health of a vulnerable adult.

Neglect also means the failure of a caregiver or
vulnerable adult to make a reasonable effort to protect a
vulnerable adult from abuse, neglect or exploitation by
others.

Neglect is repeated conduct or a single incident of
carelessness which produces or could reasonably be
expected to result in serious physical or psychological
injury, or a substantial risk of death.
2006
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What Is Exploitation?

Exploitation means knowingly, by deception
or intimidation, obtaining or using, or
attempting to obtain or use the adult’s funds,
assets, or property with the intent to
temporarily or permanently deprive the adult
of the use, benefit, or possession of the
funds, assets, or property for the benefit of
someone other than the vulnerable adult.
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A Person Who Exploits is. . .

A person who stands in a position of trust
and confidence with a vulnerable adult.

A person who knows or who should know
that the vulnerable adult lacks the
capacity to consent.

Not always known by the victim.
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IF A PATTERN OCCURS…



Physical/Sexual Abuse
Psychological Abuse
Environmental



Neglect by a
Caregiver
Self Neglect
Exploitation
 Call
the Florida Abuse
Hotline to report the
situation
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1-800-96-ABUSE
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Who Is A Vulnerable Adult?

Vulnerable Adult means a person age
18 or older whose ability to perform the
normal activities of daily living, and/or to
provide for his or her own care or
protection, is impaired due to a mental,
emotional, long-term physical, or
developmental disability or
dysfunctioning, or brain damage, or due
to the infirmities of aging.
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Who Is A Vulnerable Adult
In Need Of Services?

A vulnerable adult in need of services
means an adult who has been determined
by a protective investigator to be
suffering from the ill effects of neglect not
caused by a second party perpetrator,
and is in need of protective or other
services to prevent further harm.
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Who Are The Victims?
They are typically those unable to care for
themselves:
 Often dependent upon an abuser for
care
 May be disabled by an alcohol or
substance abuse problem
 Isolated, probably unwilling to ask for
help
 Usually female over 75 years old
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Age of Victims
80-89
28%
70-79
23%
2006
90+
9%
Unknown
1%
<60
28%
60-69
11%
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Who Are The Abusers?

Abusers are most often a family member!





2006
More often are men
Likely to have a history of mental disorders
May be using/abusing alcohol or other
substances
May have a poor financial situation or be
extremely stressed for some reason
Often are critical of others and lack
understanding about the needs of those for
whom they care
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How Does Abuse Happen?

Family dynamics contribute to abuse:






2006
Lack of family support or isolation from others
Caregivers who feel forced to provide care
Too many people in a crowded home
Marital conflict
Financial problems
Medical issues
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Reporting Abuse

Barriers to reporting
 Victims often find it difficult to file a
report for themselves due to guilt,
pride, shame, fear.
 Recognizing the signs and symptoms of
abuse, neglect and exploitation is
sometimes not easy.
 Lack of knowledge of mandatory
reporting requirements inhibits
reporting.
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Reporting Abuse, Neglect,
or Exploitation
Making a good report requires…
An understanding of Abuse Hotline
terms and reporting requirements
 Clear communication
 Detailed information

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What To Report




2006
Victim’s name, street address or location,
phone number, with area code, age,
gender and race.
A description of the abuse, neglect or
exploitation, including any signs of harm
or injuries.
A description of the victim’s physical,
mental or behavioral disability or infirmity.
The name of the person responsible and
their relationship to the victim.
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Where To Report
Telephone reporting:


1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873)
Always phone in information concerning
emergency or critical situations.
Facsimile reporting:


1-800-914-0004
When faxing, use the form provided and
include all of the information - do not send
copies of medical or case notes.
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How Can You Help?




Learn effective interviewing techniques.
If the victim is in danger of immediate
harm call 911 or local law enforcement.
Learn about local support groups,
counseling or other available services in
your area to which the victim can be
referred.
When in doubt about a situation, make
the call and let the Hotline experts decide
if investigation is needed.
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Hotline Commitment to
Service
The Florida Abuse Hotline is
committed to providing quality
assessments and a clear
understanding of services.
 All callers will be told if the
information they have provided is
being accepted as a report or not.
 All calls remain confidential.

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If you disagree …
with the counselors decision not to
accept a report …
 Ask to speak to a supervisor or
manager.
 Call 850-487-6100 during regular
business hours to voice your
complaint.
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REMEMBER

EVERYONE IS REQUIRED BY LAW TO
REPORT ELDER ABUSE, NEGLECT
AND EXPLOITATION
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