Since Colorado Senate Bill 13-111 went into effect in July, mandating that certain professionals report abuse for at-risk elders over age 70, the county has seen a significant increase in reports.Jennifer Brown, deputy public information officer for El Paso County, said they have seen about a 40 percent increase compared to 2013 and the first half of 2014. The Pikes Peak Elder Abuse Coalition issued a first-month report card in August.ìWe’ve done a fair amount of training in the community, so people know what is worth reporting, what DHS (Department of Human Services) is allowed to investigate, that type of thing,î Brown said. ìNow, they are required (to report); before, it was just an urge.î She also said people could be more cognizant of elder abuse because of expanded media coverage, generated when the law passed and went into effect.Chris Garvin, deputy executive director of the El Paso County Department of Human Services, said there are four components to the Colorado definition of an at-risk adult. ìThey must be 18 years or older, susceptible to mistreatment because they are unable to perform or obtain services for their own health, safety or welfare; and they lack sufficient understanding to make or communicate their decisions around their own health care,î Garvin said. ìAs adult protection case workers, we would go out and do assessments to figure out if there was brain injury or something preventing them from being able to do those things.î Garvin said Senate Bill 13-111 focuses on at-risk adults 70 years or older. ìYou can make a report if the person is at-risk and adult, but it’s not mandatory unless the person is 70 and older,î he said.Garvin said that in August, numbers of reported cases of elder abuse continue to rise. In August 2013, there were 101 reports to DHS. In August 2014, the amount more than doubled to 205 reports. Of the 205 reports in August this year, Garvin said 115 were related to elders over the age of 70. In 2013, they did not track the age factor of at-risk adults, but he said historically reports have indicated that 70 percent of abused adults are over age 70.According to Senate Bill 13-111, the following professionals are mandated to report elder abuse: physicians, surgeons, physical therapists, dentists, nurse practitioners, nurses, chiropractors, psychologists and others in the medical profession. Clergy members, social workers, members of law enforcement and personnel from banks and other financial institutions. The Senate Bill states that violations are considered Class 3 misdemeanor offenses.Brown said that further information regarding elder abuse can be found on the El Paso County website at http://dhs.elpasoco.com/Pages/AdultElderAbuse.aspx. The page includes instructions on how to report, as well as definitions and resources for the community.
