FAQs

  1. What is Elder Abuse?
  2. What constitutes Elder Abuse?
  3. Who do I call if I suspect Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse?
  4. When did the Elder Abuse Forensic Center open?
  5. Where is the Elder Abuse Forensic Center located?
  6. Why was the Elder Abuse Forensic Center created?
  7. What is the Elder Abuse Forensic Center?
  8. What agencies comprise the Elder Abuse Forensic Center?
  9. What is the purpose of the Elder Abuse Forensic Center?
  10. What services does the Elder Abuse Forensic Center offer?
  11. Who supports the Elder Abuse Forensic Center?
  12. How do I present a case to the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center?


Q. What is Elder Abuse?
A. Elder and dependent adult abuse is the abuse, mistreatment, or neglect of an elderly person or disabled adult.  


Q. What constitutes Elder Abuse?
A. Elder and dependent adult abuse may include neglect, self-neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional or verbal abuse or financial abuse. Victims of elder abuse include adults 65 years of age and over and dependent adults 18-64 years of age who are physically, developmentally, or emotionally disabled.  


Q. Who do I call if I suspect Elder or Dependent Adult Abuse?
A. If you suspect elder abuse you should call Los Angeles County Adult Protective Services' toll free phone number at 1-877-477-3646. Emergency response is available 24 hours a day. If it is a life-threatening situation call the police/sheriff's department at 911.  


Q. When did the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center open?
A. The Center opened in January 1, 2006.  


Q. Where is the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center located?
A. LAC+University of Southern California Medical Center, Los Angeles, California (Los Angeles County)  


Q. Why was the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center created?
A. Each year, approximately 2 million American seniors are abused, neglected, or exploited. In Los Angeles County, 21,000 cases of elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect reported in this county each year. Reports have established the need for interdisciplinary collaboration. The LAC+University of Southern California Medical Center is an ideal location due to several factors: 1) its central location; 2) ease for obtaining needed medical care and forensic evaluations; 3)co-location with a sexual assault center; and 4) available space.  


Q. What is the Los Angeles Elder Abuse Forensic Center?
A. The Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center is a multidisciplinary team of professionals that will work to provide expert and comprehensive case examination, documentation, consultation and prosecution of elder and dependent adult abuse cases.  


Q. What agencies comprise the Los Angles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center?
A. The Center is comprised of the following agencies:
  • University of Southern California School Leonard Davis School of Gerontology
  • University of Southern California Keck School of Medicine
  • Los Angeles Police Department
  • Los Angeles City Attorney's Office
  • Los Angeles County Adult Protective Services
  • Los Angeles County District Attorney's Office

    • GENESIS
  • Long-Term Care Ombudsman
  • Frank D. Lanterman Regional Center
  • Office of the Public Guardian
  • Los Angeles Sheriff's Department
  • Bet Tzedek Legal Services
  • Forensic Neuropsychologist - private practice
  • Victim-Witness Assistance Program
  


Q. What is the purpose of the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center?
A. The overall purpose of the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center is to improve the quality of life for vulnerable older and dependent adults who have been victims of abuse and neglect. This will be accomplished through the successful attainment of the following three goals:

1) To improve communication and coordination between the county agencies responsible for investigating crimes against the elderly and disabled in Los Angeles County.

2) To increase opportunities to achieve justice as well as improved health and welfare for elderly and disabled victims of abuse and neglect.

3) To improve awareness and knowledge about the crime of elder and dependent adult abuse and neglect including such areas of prevention, identification and treatment.


  


Q. What services does the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center offer?
A.
  • Multi-agency team case review and action plans
  • In-home medical and neuropsychological evaluations
  • Forensic evaluation and documentation
  • In-home evidentiary investigation
  • Taped victim interviews
  • Education and training
  • Consultation
  • Victim and Social Services
 


Q. Who supports the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center?
A. The Los Angeles Elder Abuse Forensic Center is made possible through a grant from the Archstone Foundation. The Archstone Foundation is a private grant making organization, with a mission to contribute toward the preparation of society to meet the needs of an aging population. Its resources are used to help all generations plan for the aging process and support programs addressing the needs of the elderly in three areas: healthy aging and independence; quality of life within institutions and; end of life issues.  


Q. How do I present a case to the Los Angeles County Elder Abuse Forensic Center?
A.

Please contact the Forensic Center if you are a professional interested in presenting a case. Referrals will be reviewed from professionals only which include:  APS, Ombudsman, Law Enforcement, District Attorney's Office, City Attorney's Office, Victim-Witness Program Advocates, GENESIS, the Coroner's department, and other related fields.

  
 
 
© 2007. Los Angeles County Elder Abuse  Forensic Center
A project of the Violence Intervention Program