What are the laws regarding elder abuse?

Elder abuse is a serious problem in California, and the state has laws to protect seniors from abuse. California is one of the few states with laws specifically written to protect seniors from abuse. According to California law, elder abuse includes physical abuse, neglect, abandonment, financial abuse and exploitation, emotional abuse, and self-neglect. Physical abuse includes things such as slapping, pushing, hitting, and other forms of physical force that can cause injury or harm. Neglect is the failure to provide a vulnerable elder with the necessary care, food, clothing, shelter, medical attention or other services. Abandonment is the intentional desertion of an elderly person, leaving them without access to food, shelter, or medical care. Financial abuse and exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse in California. This includes taking property or money of an elderly person without their consent. Examples of financial abuse include fraud, misusing power of attorney, or forging a signature on financial documents. Emotional abuse occurs when an individual engages in actions or communications that cause emotional distress. This can include verbal abuse and harassment, threats, and ignoring the feelings of an elderly person. Finally, there is self-neglect, which is when an elderly person is unable to meet their own basic needs. This includes not bathing, not eating properly, not taking prescribed medication, or leaving a vulnerable elder in an unsafe living situation. In California, if an individual is found guilty of elder abuse, they can face fines, imprisonment, probation, and other penalties. If you or someone you know is a victim of elder abuse, it is important to contact local law enforcement or social services immediately.

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