General Discussion
In reply to the discussion: Dianne Feinstein, 88, Failing to Recognize Senate Colleagues, Say Sources Fearing for Her Health [View all]Caliman73
(11,725 posts)There has to be an explicit or implied care giving relationship for it to be considered abuse. An employer/employee relationship is not typically considered a care giving relationship unless there are explicit personal care or iADL tasks that they in charge of, are not performing, that is affecting her well being. There would have to be some suspicion that money was being taken, that the elder's personal hygiene wasn't being attended to, that medical appointments were not being followed, etc... and it would have to be the responsibility of the staffers to be doing all of those things. Just being on staff to help a politician be ready for their job, is not a caregiving relationship.
Certainly, there can be a case made that the staffers are enabling Feinstein to continue to participate in activities that she should not be doing. You can call into question the ethics of doing so. You cannot however, make a legitimate claim that elder abuse under W&I Code or PC 368 is being committed.
Now, you may be able to report self neglect.