Community Care Licensing "Confounded" by Elder Abuse

Elder rights advocates testified to failures of Community Care Licensing (CCL), a Division of California's Department of Social Services (DSS). Testimony addressed CCL's failure to intervene in crimes against elders, failure to assess penalties for crimes, and failure to report crimes to law enforcement. Crimes disregarded by CCL included sexual assault, battery, false imprisonment, isolation, and financial exploitation.

Department Director Will Lightbourne testified that he was "confounded" by the Department's backlog. Lightbourne is California's highest paid government employee, receiving $343,000 in pay and benefits annually.

Lightbourne was formerly Director of Santa Clara County's Social Services Agency. Santa Clara County's Public Guardian was in the news for abuse of conservatees, some of which occurred during Lightbourne's tenure in Santa Clara County.

Source:
Community Care Licensing "Confounded" by Elder Abuse

See Also:
Investigating the Public Guardian

Recommended Website: Coalition for Elder and Dependent Adult's Rights

CEDAR's mission:  "...involuntary commitment is incarceration against one's will regardless of whether it's called 'civil' or 'criminal.'"

~Supreme Court of California

Civil Rights Education, Policy, and Research
CEDAR's focus is rights of the elderly and dependent adults. Our advocates are at the forefront of education, policy analysis, and research on these issues. We present our data at conferences and events across the nation.

CEDAR educates the public on civil rights issues of concern to elders and dependent adults. CEDAR develops print and multimedia educational materials for use by individuals or organizations. CEDAR representatives speak at national conferences, regional, and local events.

CEDAR investigates and reports on cases of abuse and civil rights violations. Past investigations focused on elder abuse within California conservatorships, elder abuse in assisted living facilities, and law enforcement complicity with elder abuse.

CEDAR reported on failures of Adult Protective Services, the Long-term Care Ombudsman, and Community Care Licensing. Those failures to provide mandated services allowed horrific abuse to continue with impunity.

Source:
Coalition for Elder Dependent Adult's Rights

Conservatorship: Legalized Elder Abuse

 
Across the nation, elders are trapped in abusive guardianships and conservatorships. Victims are imprisoned and isolated from loved ones. In some cases, victims suffer horrific physical abuse, emotional abuse, and sexual abuse. Chemical restraint silences their cries for help.

Source:
Conservatorship: Legalized Elder Abuse

San Jose Police Department Develops Elder Abuse Policy

 
Since 2012, Coalition for Elder & Dependent Adult Rights (CEDAR) encouraged San Jose Police Department to develop an elder abuse policy that is consistent with California's Penal Code 368 and with 21st century thought on civil rights.

In June 2015, the Santa Clara County Civil Grand reported on deficiencies in the Department's elder abuse policy. In September 2015, the Department is revising their elder abuse policy according to recommendations from the Civil Grand Jury and from CEDAR.

To our knowledge, San Jose Police Department is the first department in the nation to take these steps. Kudos to SJPD for leading the way!

Source:
San Jose Police Department Develops Elder Abuse Policy