A Day in the Life of Adult Protective Services - Final Report ... - CWDA

Victim Demographics, Continued
Comparison
of Reports to
the U.S.
Population
The following chart shows that the very elderly are more likely to be victims
of abuse than would be expected by their percentage of the population.
35%
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
18-19 20-24 25-34 35-44 45-54 55-59 60-64 65-74 75-84 84+
Percentage of CA Abuse Reports
U.S. Population
Victims with
Major Medical
Issues
Sixty four percent (64%) of the reports received indicated that the victim had
a major medical problem. In determining major medical problems, arthritis,
diabetes and high blood pressure, as the sole health problem, were not
counted due to their range in severity. However, in combination with other
factors (e.g. diabetes with amputation), they were counted as major medical
problems. In addition, a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s was counted as a major
medical problem due to its prognosis. Severe mental illness and mental
retardation were also counted.
70%
60%
50%
40%
30%
20%
10%
0%
64%
Major Medical Issues
36%
No/Minor Medical Issues
Some reports did not indicate the health status of the victim (including a few
dependent adult cases where the victim is assumed to have a disability).
Therefore, it is possible that the 64% figure under-reports the number of
victims having major medical problems.
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