Elder Abuse Is a Crime Against Some
of Our Most Vulnerable Citizens
Our office is devoted to prosecuting the offenders and helping the victims.
Elder Abuse
The Elder Abuse Protection Unit is dedicated to assisting victims of crime who are 60 years of age or older. Many crimes against the elderly involve financial fraud, theft by deception, identity theft, abuse of a power of attorney, neglect or physical abuse. Financial abuse often involves a family member. Here at the District Attorney’s Office, we are sensitive to the difficulties associated with reporting this kind of abuse. Please understand that you are not alone, either as a victim or as a family member of an elderly victim. Call us with questions, even if you are wondering where to call for assistance.
In addition to prosecuting crimes against seniors, the District Attorney’s Elder Abuse Protection Unit also considers education part of our mission. We often partner with the appropriate organizations to help teach seniors how to protect themselves and to train police, public safety, and fire personnel how to spot elder abuse and handle such cases.
For more information about one such partnership, the Elder Justice Initiative (EJI), click here: https://www.justice.gov/elderjustice
Reporting Elder Abuse
All persons in Louisiana are “mandatory reporters” of elder abuse. The mandatory reporting statute, La. R.S. 14:403.2, has provisions for immunity from civil and criminal liability if the report is made in accord with the statute and in good faith.
If you believe a crime has been committed against you, a family member, or any other Elder, please call 9-1-1. The local law enforcement agency will investigate. Where appropriate they will prepare a report and arrest the perpetrator. If the perpetrator is arrested for a crime, the case will be sent to the District Attorney’s Office.
For a non-emergency situation, you may also call Elderly Protective Services at 1-833-577-6532 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. For those who require TTY assistance, please call Louisiana Relay at 1-800-846-5277 or 711. Spanish speaking can call 1-800-737-1813.
Elderly Protective Services Hotline for after-hours reporting, please call 1-844-94LAEPS or 1-844-945-237.
The Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs Elderly Protective Services Program provides a form for reporting suspicions of abuse, neglect and exploitation of people 60 years or older or adults with disabilities. Use this form to report situations that DO NOT need to be investigated right away. It may take more than 48 hours to process online reports due to high volume. Click on the link below.
https://la.accessgov.com/goea/Forms/Page/goea/contact/
Elderly Protective Services (EPS) is responsible for investigating reports of elders aged 60 and above who are at risk due to abuse, neglect, exploitation and extortion.
In accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 14:403.2 and La. R.S. 15:1501-1511, Elderly Protective Services is committed to establishing systems to provide protection to individuals who are unable to independently provide for themselves or to manage their resources, and who are harmed or threatened with harm through the action or inaction of themselves, those entrusted with their care, or other parties.
FAQs
What is elder abuse?
Elder abuse is the abuse or exploitation of a person age 60 or older by a family member or caregiver. The abuse may be physical, emotional, or sexual; it also may include financial exploitation by those seeking to scam or commit fraud against an elderly victim. The abuse also could include violence.
What are some signs of elder abuse?
Some examples are:
- Physical actions, such as pushing, hitting, restraining an elder.
- Emotional and verbal intimidation, such as screaming, threatening, insulting an elder.
- Withdrawal or isolation of an elder.
- Sexual exploitation, particularly threats or actions, which are sexual in nature, against an elder without their consent.
- Neglect, such as withholding of medicine, medical care, food, personal care, utilities, or daily necessities, or over-medication, or self-neglect to the point of danger.
- Financial extortion or exploitation, such as theft or misuse of money, property or the possessions of the elder.
What do I do if I think I am a victim of elder abuse or if I’m concerned that a relative may be a victim?
If you believe a crime has been committed against you, a family member, or any other Elder, please call 9-1-1. The local law enforcement agency will investigate. Where appropriate they will prepare a report and arrest the perpetrator. If the perpetrator is arrested for a crime, the case will be sent to the District Attorney’s Office.
For a non-emergency situation, you may also call Elderly Protective Services at 1-833-577-6532 between the hours of 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM. For those who require TTY assistance, please call Louisiana Relay at 1-800-846-5277 or 711. Spanish speaking can call 1-800-737-1813.
Elderly Protective Services Hotline for after-hours reporting, please call 1-844-94LAEPS or 1-844-945-237.
The Governor’s Office of Elderly Affairs Elderly Protective Services Program provides a form for reporting suspicions of abuse, neglect and exploitation of people 60 years or older or adults with disabilities. Use this form to report situations that DO NOT need to be investigated right away. It may take more than 48 hours to process online reports due to high volume. Click on the link below.
https://la.accessgov.com/goea/Forms/Page/goea/contact/
Elderly Protective Services (EPS) is responsible for investigating reports of elders aged 60 and above who are at risk due to abuse, neglect, exploitation and extortion.
In accordance with the provisions of La. R.S. 14:403.2 and La. R.S. 15:1501-1511, Elderly Protective Services is committed to establishing systems to provide protection to individuals who are unable to independently provide for themselves or to manage their resources, and who are harmed or threatened with harm through the action or inaction of themselves, those entrusted with their care, or other parties.
Why is there a Victim Assistance Coordinator just in Washington Parish to provide special help for elder abuse victims?
The program in Washington Parish is financed by a special grant. While we are always seeking opportunities to expand our services, this particular grant covers just Washington Parish at the time.
If I am aware of a situation that involves elder abuse, can I get in trouble if I don’t report it?
Yes, failure to report elder abuse is a crime that is punishable by up to six months imprisonment and/or a $500 fine in Louisiana, where every person is considered a “mandatory reporter.” The mandatory reporting statute, La. R.S. 14:403.2, also has provisions for immunity from civil and criminal liability if the report is made in accord with the statute and in good faith. To report abuse, call 1-800-898-4910 (if you are calling from within Louisiana). If you are calling from outside the state of Louisiana, call 225-342-9722.
Why is elder abuse getting more attention these days?
People ages 65 and older are in the fastest-growing age group in the United States. According to the U.S. Census, the number of people ages 65 and older are estimated to increase from 12.4 percent of the population in 2000 to 20.6 percent of the population in 2050.
Contact
Through a unique grant, a Victim Assistance Coordinator is available to provide special help to elderly victims of crimes being prosecuted by our office in Washington Parish. The coordinator, Anna Moses, can be contacted by phone at (985) 839-6711. She is based at our Franklinton office, 905 Pearl Street, Franklinton, LA 70438. The Elder abuse specialist in St. Tammany is Harold Bartholomew and he can be reached at hbartholomew@22da.com.
If you would like to arrange for a speaker from the Elder Abuse Protection Unit to address your group, please call our Franklinton or Covington office. If possible, we will be happy to send a representative.