2025 EAS Event Program - Flipping Book

Breakout Session 2: 11:20 AM – 12:15 PM Decision-Making Capacity and Vulnerable Adults

Presenter

When questioning brain function, understanding decision-making capacity (DMC) is crucial for effectively serving older adults, whether they are suspected victims or consumers of our services. Consider the following questions: Do I have their informed consent? Do they have the right to refuse my suggested intervention? What about when it comes to adult protective services, reporting a crime, or transferring them to a hospital? This workshop aims to enhance your competence in working with individuals with diminished capacity by helping you recognize various neurocognitive and mental health disorders and how these conditions may impact decision-making. Discussions will also encompass a wide range of social and cultural factors that affect clients. The law instructs us to assume capacity with our clients, so we will review appropriate practices to determine when further assessment is necessary. Additionally, we will cover effective communication with other providers and how to document interactions using appropriate language from psychological, legal, and judicial perspectives. This professionalism will help explain the next steps to clients and their families.

Adria Navarro, PhD. LCSW, FGSA Program Manager University Southern California Verdugo Hills Hospital

Breakout Session 2: 11:20 AM – 12:15 PM IRC Orientation: Understanding Services and Support

Presenters

This workshop provides an overview of elder abuse, including physical, financial, neglect, sexual, and emotional abuse. Participants will learn to identify key characteristics, behaviors, and risk factors that increase vulnerability among older adults. A primary focus is effective documentation for law enforcement, such as accurately recording observations of injuries, living conditions, and interactions. Attendees will gain skills in preserving physical evidence, photographing injuries, maintaining chain of custody, and writing detailed, objective reports with clear dates, times, and verbatim victim or witness statements to support legal action. The session also covers best practices for collaborating with law enforcement to ensure a cohesive response. Participants will leave equipped with practical tools to advocate for victims and work with multidisciplinary teams to protect vulnerable individuals.

Travis Gaddishaw-Grant, BA Education Senior Training Specialist Inland Regional Center Danielle Montero, BA in Sociology Senior Training Specialist Inland Regional Center

18 2025 Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Symposium