To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Proclaim June 2024 as Elder & Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution declaring June 2024 as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in Contra Costa County, as recommended by the Employment and Human Services Director.
FISCAL IMPACT:
No fiscal impact for this action.
BACKGROUND:
The purpose of National Elder Abuse Awareness Month and World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15th is to shed light on the abuse and neglect that elderly and vulnerable adults face in Contra Costa County and across the globe.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention define elder abuse as “an intentional act or failure to act that causes or creates a risk of harm to an older adult. An older adult is someone age 60 or older. The abuse often occurs at the hands of a caregiver or a person the elder trusts.”
The Elder Justice Act defines elder abuse as the knowing infliction of physical or psychological harm or the knowing deprivation of goods or services that are necessary to meet essential needs or to avoid physical or psychological harm.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
None.
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
IN THE MATTER OF proclaiming June 2024 as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in Contra Costa County
WHEREAS, as our population lives longer, we are presented with an opportunity to honor and protect older and dependent adults; and
WHEREAS, during June and on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15th, we join others throughout the world in Building Strong Support for Elders which is the 2024 theme; and
WHEREAS, this international observance provides opportunities to promote better understanding of abuse and neglect of older people and dependent adults by raising awareness of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic processes affecting elder abuse and neglect; and
WHEREAS, in 2023 in Contra Costa County, Adult Protective Services (APS) received 6,870 elder and dependent adult abuse reports; and
WHEREAS, APS in Contra Costa County investigates abuse concerns and collaborates with other county agencies and community based organizations to protect, advocate, and provide services for older and dependent adult clients; and
WHEREAS, older and dependent adults deserve to be treated with respect and dignity to enable them to serve as leaders, mentors, volunteers and vital participating members of our communities; and
WHEREAS, community members can look out for the safety and protection of seniors and disabled adults by reporting various types of suspected elder abuse, including emotional, financial, physical, sexual, neglect, abandonment, or isolation; and
WHEREAS, signs of elder and dependent abuse include lack of basic amenities; a cluttered, soiled living environment; unexplained or uncharacteristic changes in behavior; unexplained sexually transmitted diseases; unpaid bills, new credit cards and/or increased cash withdrawals; harassment, coercion, injury, intimidation or humiliation; and caregiver isolation of the elder or dependent adult; and
WHEREAS, preventing abuse of older and dependent adults, through maintaining and improving social supports like senior centers, nutrition programs, human services, and transportation, enables them to live as independently as possible and contribute to the vibrancy of our communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Contra Costa County Board of Supervisors acknowledges and proclaims the month of June 2024 as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in Contra Costa County, affirming the importance of supporting our older and disabled residents with services and programs to help keep them safe.