A caretaker's leaving an elderly patient home alone for a significant amount of time could be considered neglect, at the very least, and possibly abandonment.
Mandated Report Forms: Form SOC 341 must be completed and signed by the mandated reporter. When Do Mandated Reporters Make Their Reports? Immediately or as soon as possible by telephone, followed by a written report or Internet report through the confidential Internet reporting tool within two (2) working days.
If someone is living alone, then family members can step in to assist until finances can be set up, medicaid put in place and aides can be placed in the home or the person can move into a nursing home or assisted living facility, depending upon their needs. This is not a quick process, but it can be done.
California. Adult Protective Service Agency: call (833) 401-0832 or visit the APS website for a list of county APS contacts.
In California, elders are defined as persons 60 years and older. Under California law, elder abuse can be both criminal and civil. Civil law defines elder abuse as physical abuse, neglect, financial abuse, abandonment, isolation, abduction, or other treatment resulting in harm, pain or mental suffering to an elder.
Their identity can remain confidential. If you are not a mandated reporter, you can choose to report elder abuse in California anonymously.
In California, elders are defined as persons 60 years and older. Under California law, elder abuse can be both criminal and civil. Civil law defines elder abuse as physical abuse, neglect, financial abuse, abandonment, isolation, abduction, or other treatment resulting in harm, pain or mental suffering to an elder.
To report abuse, call this number 1-833-401-0832 and when prompted enter your 5-digit zip code to be connected to the Adult Protective Services in your county, 7 days a week, 24 hours a day.
However, AB 135 maintains the existing definition of an elder adult under the Elder Abuse and Dependent Adult Civil Protection Act (Chapter 11) as anyone 65 years of age and older.