Elder abuse is a serious and often underreported issue, affecting 1 in 10 seniors in the United States. Certain risk factors can make the threat of abuse even more grave, such as caregiver dependence, social isolation, stress, and health concerns such as dementia.
Victims of elder or dependent adult abuse may find themselves unable or reluctant to report abuse due to issues such as memory loss from dementia, community isolation, or because they are dependent on their abuser for care. This makes mandated reporting especially important for these victims.
If you or your employees are mandated reporters, training can help you understand how to recognize and report suspected elder abuse or neglect. Learn more about which professionals should take mandated reporter training.
Do Any States Require Elder Abuse Mandated Reporter Training?
Some states require that mandated reporters of elder abuse take or be provided with the training they need to understand and fulfill their duties to protect the vulnerable. These states include:
California
California law requires long-term care facilities, community care facilities, and residential care facilities for the elderly to provide training and continuing education in recognizing and reporting abuse.
Connecticut
In Connecticut, an organization that employs individuals to care for people sixty and older must provide mandatory training on detecting suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, and abandonment. They must also inform employees of their obligations as reporters.
Florida
Florida also requires that certain organizations or entities provide training to the reporters they employ. For example, financial institutions may delay a disbursement or transaction because of suspected financial exploitation of a senior or other vulnerable adult. In order to do so, they must develop training policies or programs that educate employees who perform those transactions on issues pertaining to the financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. This training must be conducted within one year of the date the individual becomes employed or affiliated with the institution, and a written record of all training must be kept.
Additionally, certified law enforcement officers in Florida must complete training on identifying and investigating elder abuse and neglect as part of their basic recruit training.
Iowa
In Iowa, staff licensed with the Board of Educational Examiners are required to complete training every three years for both the reporting of child abuse and dependent adult abuse.
Who Should Take Training?
While training requirements vary significantly by state and territory, even if not required by law, training can still help reporters gain a basic understanding of abuse and neglect and how to report it.
Whether or not you are a mandated reporter of elderly and dependent adult abuse depends on where you live and your profession. The following professions are often considered mandated reporters of elder or dependent adult abuse, depending on their state.
Healthcare Professionals
Healthcare professionals are often required to report suspected elder abuse because their role in caring for patients gives them a unique opportunity to recognize the signs of abuse or neglect. These healthcare professionals can include:
- Physicians and surgeons
- Nurses, including registered nurses
- Dental care providers
- Mental health professionals
- Pharmacists
- Chiropractors, podiatrists, and optometrists
- Other healthcare providers, such as home health aides, physical therapists, occupational therapists, and any other licensed health practitioners.
Caregivers and Facility Staff
Like healthcare professionals, caregivers in assisted living facilities or other entities that offer care to the elderly and vulnerable adults are in a unique position to recognize and report suspected abuse or neglect. Professionals often required to report include:
- Caregivers, such as individuals working in assisted living facilities or nursing homes
- Home health workers
- Other long-term care facility staff, such as administrators, supervisors, and licensed staff in nursing homes and assisted living facilities
Law Enforcement and Legal Professionals
Law enforcement officers are also often required to report suspected abuse or neglect. Professionals that fall under this category can include:
- Police officers and other law enforcement personnel
- Probation officers
- Attorneys
- Judges and other court personnel
- Employees of adult protective services agencies
Other Professionals
Many other professionals that seniors and other adults encounter in their day-to-day lives may be mandated reporters of abuse. Depending on your state or territory, this could include people such as:
- Clergy members and other religious leaders
- Notaries
- Emergency medical technicians and paramedics
- Financial service professionals, such as bank employees, financial advisors, or other professionals who manage financial transactions, and might identify financial exploitation
Protecting the vulnerable, such as seniors and dependent adults, starts with the knowledge of how to recognize abuse and neglect and knowing what to do about it.
Find elder abuse reporting training by exploring our course catalog.