Mandated reporters are crucial to the health of an elder present in their life. There is a list of people who qualify as mandated reporters in California, making a range of people potentially responsible for stopping and reporting any and all abuse from happening to a senior citizen by legal means. If you or a loved one suspect the potential harm or jeopardization to the well-being of a senior citizen, please consider reaching out to a California elder abuse attorney through Bryant.
What is a Mandated Reporter?
A mandated reporter is an important – but oftentimes neglected or overlooked – role in an elderly person’s life. The status, liability, and type of mandated reporter vary from state to state. The main duty of someone who is a mandated reporter in California is to ensure the safety of the elder they are in contact with by reporting any and all abuse that the elder is experiencing. This additionally extends to any abuse that is suspected or not entirely confirmed. Having a role such as this one can ensure the future safety or well-being of a senior citizen – it may even save their life.
How to Report Abuse in California
There are numerous ways one could report the abuse of an elder in California. Any adult in immediate danger should contact necessary emergency services through 9-1-1, requesting an ambulance and/or police. Additionally, an urgent elder abuse case can be reported at the Adult Protective Services hotline at any hour of the day at (800) 814-0009. Alternatively, non-urgent reports can be made online at www.cdss.ca.gov. These reports should be done at your earliest possible convenience to ensure the safety of your loved one.
Who is Exactly Responsible for Reporting Abuse
A number of different types of individuals are responsible for reporting abuse of an elderly person. These may include but are not limited to:
- Any person with full or partial responsibility for the care or custody of the elder
- Law enforcement and fire department employees
- Caregivers including family members, nurses, doctors, surgeons, and other types of primary healthcare employees
- Those providing therapy or mental health services
- Members of social services or welfare departments from the city, county, or state
- Those working at financial institutions who suspect financial abuse
- Environmental health employees
- Religious figures such as clergy members
Mandatory reporters are kept anonymous through statutory confidentiality. A violation of this statute is a misdemeanor unless otherwise given to a law enforcement agency if specifically requested.
Finding Help at Bryant
People are oftentimes unaware that they themselves are mandatory reporters. There are luckily a number of different options for elder abuse reporting that will even keep them anonymous and out of harm’s way. There is no criminal responsibility for reporting elder abuse as you are protected under federal and state law. It is additionally noteworthy that it is illegal for another person including supervisors or administrators to block a mandatory reporter from reporting abuse.
If you suspect that an elder is suffering from abuse at the hands of another, reach out to a San Diego elder abuse attorney through Bryant. By doing so, you will ensure that the legal future of the elder is safe and in the hands of experienced legal teams.