Final answer:
The code requiring certain professionals to report suspected elder abuse is specific to each jurisdiction and is enforced through state laws. It is their legal duty to recognize and report signs of elder abuse.
Step-by-step explanation:
The code that mandates health and mental health providers, EMS personnel, any guardian or conservator of an adult, any public or private direct care or personal care provider, and/or any law enforcement officer to report cases of suspected elder abuse, neglect, or exploitation to the Department of Human Services Division of Adult Protective Services varies by jurisdiction. However, these regulations are often specified in state adult protective services laws, or other elder abuse prevention laws. It is the legal responsibility of these professionals and caregivers to report any signs that an older individual may be a victim of abuse, which can include physical abuse, sexual abuse, psychological or emotional abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation,, such as physical, sexual, or psychological harm, neglect, or financial exploitation. The National Center on Elder Abuse provides guidelines for detecting these signs.
Statistics suggest that elder abuse is a significant problem, with about one in ten elderly individuals having suffered some form of abuse. The risk factors for elder abuse include a history of depression in the caregiver, paid caregiving, and dependency of the caregiver on the elder. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) also describes abandonment and self-neglect as categories of abuse and provides signs and symptoms for the public to recognize.