Sonoma County Human Services Announces Presentations on Elder Abuse

From Sonoma County Human Services Department:

Elder abuse reports in Sonoma County continued to rise in 2015 despite studies that show it is one of the most under-reported crimes in the U.S. In 2015, reports to Adult Protective Services (APS) and the Long-Term Care Ombudsman totaled 5176, the highest of any previous year, and a 13 percent increase from 2014.

Of all APS callers’ concerns, self-neglect by the senior him or herself accounted for 48 percent of all allegations for a total of 2145. Other allegations concerned neglect by family members, caregivers or others and physical, mental, sexual or financial abuse. The nationally growing crime of elder financial abuse also rose in 2015.

Awareness displays and education events are planned for June during Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness
Month at senior centers throughout Sonoma County.

Of the 4432 total elder abuse reports to APS alone, 29 percent of allegations concerned financial abuse. That’s a rise of 4 percent from 2014.

To help seniors and their loved ones prevent elder financial abuse, senior advocates and agencies are hosting 90-minute presentations in June at senior and community centers countywide. The Sonoma County Elder Protection Work Group and the Financial Abuse Specialist Teams are offering seniors Protect Yourself, Protect Your Assets, which provides participants information about avoiding scams and fraud, using estate planning to help keep assets safe and recognizing elder abuse. Information about local resources for help and support will be provided.

The presentation schedule is June 6 at 1:30 p.m. at Vintage House, 264 First St.; June 10 at 10 a.m. at Healdsburg Senior Center, 133 Matheson St.; June 10 at 10 a.m. at Petaluma Senior Center, 320 North Blvd.; June 14 at 1 p.m. at Russian River Senior Center, 15010 Armstrong Woods Rd. in Guerneville; June 15 at 1 p.m. at Cloverdale Senior Center, 311 North Main St.; June 15 at 2 p.m. at Rohnert Park Senior Center, 6800 Hunter Dr.; June 16 at 1 p.m. at Windsor Senior Center, 9231 Foxwood Dr. and June 16 at 1 p.m. at Sebastopol Area Senior Center, 167 North High St.

The presentation planning group includes the Elder Protection Workgroup, Adult Protective Services, the
District Attorney’s office, Senior Advocacy Services and senior centers.

Also, The Petaluma Partners in Protection (PPP) is hosting an free, educational community event for seniors, A Little Help from Our Friends, on June 14 from 4-7 p.m. at the Petaluma Community Center, Lucchesi Park, 320 North McDowell Blvd. Speakers will discuss protection against financial fraud and help with medical issues that affect seniors. To help prevent identity theft, free document shredding and safe disposal of sensitive papers will be available. Local agencies that support older adults, including the Petaluma Police Deptartment Senior Outreach Task Force, will staff resource tables. Further information is available through the PPP Facebook page.

Senior centers countywide will display purple flags that reflect the number elder abuse reports last year in the local area or city they serve. These senior centers will display the number of flags representing reports from their communities: Cloverdale Senior Multi-Purpose Center, Healdsburg Senior Center, Petaluma Senior Center, Rohnert Park Senior Recreation Center, Russian River Resource Center, Santa Rosa Multi-Purpose Senior Center, Sebastopol Area Senior Center, Vintage House Senior Center in Sonoma and Windsor Senior Center.

Prevention and intervention in elder abuse and neglect is especially important in Sonoma County, where residents age 60 and older account for 24 percent of the population. By 2030, at least 25 percent (one in four) of Sonoma County residents will be age 60 and older. Studies reveal that only one in 23 cases of elder abuse or neglect is actually reported.

Calls to local elder abuse reporting hotlines can be made 24 hours every day and can be confidential and
anonymous. Reports can be made through contacting Sonoma County APS via (707) 565-5940 or (800) 667-0404 with information on elders living in homes or apartments in the community. Concerns about residents of skilled nursing and residential care facilities may be directed to the Ombudsman at (707) 526-4108 or (800) 231-4024. Further detail is available through the Sonoma County elder protection website.