By Araceli Gaona and Fran Kiernan
January 2016 | 2016 Winter Newsletter
Did you know that your Independent Provider (IP) is required by law to report any suspected abuse of you or anyone else living in your home? Under California law, your IP is a “Mandated Reporter”, which means that they must report any observed or suspected abuse to Adult Protective Services (APS), or law enforcement. If your IP sees a family member, friend, another care provider, or anyone else abusing you, they are obligated to immediately report this to the authorities. Your IP can be a lifeline in abusive situations; their report to APS will connect you with the help that you need.
Independent Providers are trained to identify various types of abuse, including: physical, financial, sexual, psychological, and neglect. However,
most people don’t realize that self-neglect is also a type of abuse that must be reported. If you are neglecting your own physical needs and well-being –such as refusing to eat or shower– your provider must report this to APS. Your IP is complying with state law and following the requirements of their employment.
There are serious consequences if your care provider fails to report any suspected abuse. First, you will not get the help you need. Secondly, your provider may be fined and/or jailed for not complying with the law.
Ultimately, your health and safety is the top priority for your care provider. Your IP is trained to use their best judgement to decide when it is appropriate to contact emergency services. Even though you may think you don’t need an ambulance or paramedics, these may be life-saving resources. Trust your IP to make this call for you. Fear of receiving a bill for calling emergency services might be holding you back, so just know that you will not be billed for calling or for having emergency services, such as the fire department and paramedics, come to your home. You will only receive a bill from the ambulance company if the paramedics take you to the hospital.
Hopefully, knowing that your care provider has the responsibility to keep you safe will offer you some peace of mind. By understanding your IP’s job responsibilities, you can begin to appreciate their efforts on your behalf. Having an idea of the “big picture” will help to create a work environment that is safe and respectful for everyone.
Did you know that your Independent Provider (IP) is required by law to report any suspected abuse of you or anyone else living in your home? Under California law, your IP is a “Mandated Reporter”, which means that they must report any observed or suspected abuse to Adult Protective Services (APS), or law enforcement. If your IP sees a family member, friend, another care provider, or anyone else abusing you, they are obligated to immediately report this to the authorities. Your IP can be a lifeline in abusive situations; their report to APS will connect you with the help that you need.
Independent Providers are trained to identify various types of abuse, including: physical, financial, sexual, psychological, and neglect. However, most people don’t realize that self-neglect is also a type of abuse that must be reported. If you are neglecting your own physical needs and well-being –such as refusing to eat or shower– your provider must report this to APS. Your IP is complying with state law and following the requirements of their employment.
There are serious consequences if your care provider fails to report any suspected abuse. First, you will not get the help you need. Secondly, your provider may be fined and/or jailed for not complying with the law.
Ultimately, your health and safety is the top priority for your care provider. Your IP is trained to use their best judgement to decide when it is appropriate to contact emergency services. Even though you may think you don’t need an ambulance or paramedics, these may be life-saving resources. Trust your IP to make this call for you. Fear of receiving a bill for calling emergency services might be holding you back, so just know that you will not be billed for calling or for having emergency services, such as the fire department and paramedics, come to your home. You will only receive a bill from the ambulance company if the paramedics take you to the hospital.
Hopefully, knowing that your care provider has the responsibility to keep you safe will offer you some peace of mind. By understanding your IP’s job responsibilities, you can begin to appreciate their efforts on your behalf. Having an idea of the “big picture” will help to create a work environment that is safe and respectful for everyone.