ABUSE, NEGLECT, & EXPLOITATION OF VULNERABLE ADULTS

							                                      Elder Exploitation in Florida

Identity Theft                                           *72, *90 Scam
Imposter Fraud                                           Home Repair Fraud
Mail Fraud                                               Charities Fraud
Moving Scam                                              Telemarketing Fraud
Investment Scam such as Annuity Fraud                    Water Softener Scam

                                               Resources

       Elder Consumer Protection Program: www.elder.law.stetson.edu
       Safeguard Our Seniors: www.myfloridacfo.com
       National Center on Elder Abuse: www.ncea.aoa.gov
       Academy of Florida Elder Law Attorneys: www.afela.org
       Florida Abuse Hotline: 800-96-ABUSE
       Florida Elder Help Line: 800-963-5337
       Florida Domestic Violence Hotline: 800-500-1119
       Adult Protective Services: 800-962-2873

                                          Things to Remember

1. If you know or suspect exploitation of a vulnerable adult, you are required to call Adult Protective
Services (APS) immediately. If your employment or residency status is detrimentally changed
because of your report and within 120 days of your report, you have a civil cause of action. False
reporting is a 2nd degree misdemeanor.

2. A “vulnerable adult” is at least 18 years of age “whose ability to perform the normal activities of
daily living, or to provide for his or her own care or protection, is impaired due to a mental, emotional,
long-term physical, of developmental disability or dysfunctioning, or brain damage, or the infirmities
of aging.”

3. The alleged perpetrator may be arrested. The victim (or the alleged perpetrator) may be Baker
Acted under certain circumstances.

4. An emergency temporary guardianship (followed by a “permanent” guardian) may be initiated
through the Court system if no “qualifiable” family member or friend petitions for appointment as
guardian.

5. “Abuse” is any willful threatened act (or omission) by a relative, caregiver, or household member
which causes or is likely to cause significant impairment to a vulnerable adult’s physical, mental, or
emotional, health.

6. “Neglect” is failure or omission by caregiver to provide care, supervision, and services necessary to
maintain the physical and mental health of the vulnerable adult, including food, clothing, medicine,
shelter, supervision, and medical services.

7. “Exploitation” is when a person in a position of trust and confidence by deception or intimidation,
obtains or uses, or endeavors to obtain or use, a vulnerable adult’s funds, assets, or property with the
intent to temporarily or permanently deprive a vulnerable adult of the use, benefit, or possession of the
funds, assets or property for the benefit of someone other than the vulnerable adult.