CA Laws That Guide the Specifics of Clinical Practice: Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Reporting

Question 1

The __________________ (Sections 15610, 15630-15634) requires reporting of physical abuse, abandonment, isolation, financial abuse, or neglect of any elder or dependent adult under certain circumstances.

Answer 1

Welfare and Institutions Code.

Question 2

A report is required when a mandated reporter ______________ or has knowledge of an incident that reasonably appears to be abuse; a report is also required when a mandated reporter is __________ by the elder or dependent adult of an instance of abuse.

Answer 2

• Observes
• Told

Question 3

“Elder” means any person residing in the state of CA, ___ years or older. “Dependent adult” means any person residing in the state of CA, between the ages of ___ and ___, who has physical or mental limitations that restrict his or her ability to carry out normal activities, or to protect his or her rights including, but not limited to, persons who have physical or developmental disabilities, or whose physical/mental abilities have diminished because of age.

Answer 3

• 65
• 18 to 64

Question 4

Abuse involves physical harm, pain or ____________________, or ________________ by a care custodian of the goods or services that are necessary to avoid physical harm and mental suffering.

Answer 4

• Mental suffering
• Deprivation

Question 5

The law _____________, but does not mandate, reports when abuse is suspected, or the elder/dependent adult’s emotional well-being is endangered in any other way.

Answer 5

Permits.

Question 6

A report of elder abuse is not required if:

• The mandated reporter is told by the “victim” but the reporter is not aware of any ___________________
• The elder has been diagnosed with a _____________________ or dementia, and the reporter reasonably believes the abuse did not occur

Answer 6

• Corroborating evidence
• Mental illness

Question 7

An elder abuse report ________ required when a physical, mental, or medical injury occurs in a long-term care facility, and there is a proper plan of care, properly provided and executed, and the reporter believes the injury was not the result of abuse.

Answer 7

Is not.

Question 8

_________________ includes assault, battery, unreasonable physical restraint, or prolonged or continual deprivation of food or water, sexual assault, or abuse of a chemical restraint or psychotropic medication.

Answer 8

Physical abuse.

Question 9

___________________ is defined as failure of the person in charge of the care of the elder/dependent adult to exercise a sufficient degree of care. It additionally includes the failure off the person to take care of self, defined as “________________.”

Answer 9

• Neglect
• “Self-neglect”

Question 10

____________________ refers to a situation in which the elder/dependent adult has been deserted.

Answer 10

Abandonment.

Question 11

____________________ involves keeping the elder or dependent adult from having contact with others.

Answer 11

Isolation.

Question 12

_________________________ occurs when a person takes an elder or dependent adult’s finances or property wrongfully or with intent to defraud, resulting in harm.

Answer 12

Financial abuse.

Question 13

When the elder/dependent adult resides at home, the abuse report must be made to the adult protective services agency or to a ___________________________. Reports must be made ___________________ or ______________________ by telephone, or through a confidential Internet reporting tool. If reported by phone, a written report shall be sent, or an Internet report shall be made within ___ working days.

Answer 13

• Law enforcement agency
• Immediately
• As soon as possible
• 2

Question 14

When the abuse occurred in a long-term care facility (other than a state mental hospital or state developmental center), the report should be made to the local ________________ and to a local law enforcement agency. Reports must be made immediately or as soon as possible by telephone, and a written report must be sent within ___________ if serious bodily injury occurred, or within ___ hours in the absence of serious bodily injury.

Answer 14

• Ombudsman
• 2 hours
• 24

Question 15

If the abuse occurs in a state mental hospital or developmental center, the report should be made to the investigator of the State Department of State Hospitals or the State Department of _________________________ and to the local law enforcement agency. Reports must be made immediately or as soon as possible by phone, and a written report must be sent within ____________.

Answer 15

• Developmental Services
• 2 hours

Question 16

The guidelines protecting mandated reporters of dependent/elder abuse (and punishing failure to report abuse) are the same as those ____________________________.

Answer 16

For reporting/failing to report child abuse.