To: Board of Supervisors
From: Marla Stuart, Employment and Human Services Director
Report Title: Proclaim June 2026 as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month.
☒Recommendation of the County Administrator ☐ Recommendation of Board Committee
RECOMMENDATIONS:
ADOPT a resolution recognizing June 2026 as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in Contra Costa County, as recommended by the Employment & Human Services Director.
FISCAL IMPACT:
None.
BACKGROUND:
Elder Abuse Awareness Month is a worldwide recognition every June with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day officially observed on June 15. The month highlights the prevention of physical, psychological, and financial abuse, and neglect of older adults. The 2026 global theme is Beyond Awareness: Making Elder Abuse Prevention Work (United Nations).
Elder and dependent adult abuse remains widely under-recognized and under-reported. It can take many forms and often occurs in situations where individuals lack visibility, support, or access to services. In addition to raising awareness, this issue calls for stronger systems that can prevent abuse and respond effectively when it happens, while respecting the dignity, independence, and rights of older people and those with disabilities.
In Contra Costa County, our Aging & Adult Services staff educate community members about signs of abuse and ways to support the older people in their lives. EHSD has collaborated with the Area Agency on Aging to implement the Celebrating All Ages campaign. The campaign represents a countywide effort to dismantle stereotypes and prejudices against older adults and dispel age bias, challenge myths, promote respect across all ages, and encourage intergenerational connections.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
No recognition to raise awareness about this public health issue.
CHILDREN’S IMPACT STATEMENT:
This resolution supports all five of Contra Costa County’s community outcomes of the Children’s Report Card: (1) “Children Ready for and Succeeding in School”; (2) “Children and Youth Healthy and Preparing for Productive Adulthood”; (3) “Families that are Economically Self-Sufficient”; (4) “Families that are Safe, Stable and Nurturing”; and (5) “Communities that are Safe and Provide a High Quality of Life for Children and Families.”
The Board of Supervisors of Contra Costa County, California
body
IN THE MATTER OF proclaiming June 26 as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month:
WHEREAS, in June and on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15th, Contra Costa County joins others throughout the world in honoring older people and dependent adults, and recognizing elder abuse as a significant public health and human rights issue; and
WHEREAS, older and dependent adults deserve to be treated with respect and dignity, and to be recognized for serving as leaders, mentors, volunteers, workers, contributors, and vital participants in our communities; and
WHEREAS, Contra Costa County promotes better understanding about the cultural, social, economic, and demographic factors affecting elder abuse and neglect; and
WHEREAS, during 2025 in Contra Costa County, Adult Protective Services (APS) received 8,100 elder and dependent adult abuse reports; and
WHEREAS, APS investigates reports of abuse and collaborates with other county agencies and community-based organizations to protect, advocate, and provide services for older and dependent adult clients; and
WHEREAS, all community members can support the safety and protection of older 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 older and dependent adult abuse is possible through social supports like senior centers, nutrition programs, human services, and transportation, enabling older people to live as independently as possible and contribute to the vibrancy of our communities.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Board of Supervisors proclaims the month of June 2026 as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in Contra Costa County, affirming the importance of supporting our older residents and those who have disabilities with services and programs to help them live safely.