HomeMy WebLinkAbout6.14.22 Press Release_ June is Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month
From:McAfee-Bowersox, Miranda
Subject:Press Release: June is Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month
Date:Tuesday, June 14, 2022 3:12:24 PM
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 14, 2022
CONTACT
Kristi Sherer
Program Manager, Adult Services
530.552.6806
JUNE IS ELDER AND DEPENDENT ADULT ABUSE AWARENESS MONTH
Oroville, Ca -- In 2015 the California Commission on Aging partnered with the California Elder Justice Coalition to
pass a Resolution declaring the month of June as Elder and Vulnerable (Dependent) Adult Abuse Awareness
Month. June was chosen to coincide with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day which is recognized every June
th
15. Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month promotes awareness, education, and resources to
combat abuse, neglect and exploitation of vulnerable adults.
Elder and Dependent Adult abuse is a serious and increasing problem in Butte County and throughout the
country. According to the National Center on Elder Abuse, 1 in 10 Americans over the age of 60 experience
some type of abuse. Dependent adults, those age 18 to 59 with physical or mental limitations that restrict the
ability to carry out normal activities or protect their rights, are also prone to becoming victims. With nearly 1 in
4 Butte County residents over the age of 59 and 1 in 8 non-elderly adults in Butte County living with a disability,
there is a significant number of our family, friends and neighbors at risk. However, findings from the New York
State Elder Abuse Prevalence Study suggest that abuse is largely under-reported with as few as 1 in 24 cases
becoming known to reporting agencies.
County Adult Protective Services (APS) agencies were established in California to investigate allegations of
abuse, neglect and exploitation. Butte County APS takes reports daily on these vulnerable populations with 2006
reports received over the past year, an 8% increase over the previous year. Reports consist of many types of
abuse including;
physical, sexual, financial, isolation, abduction, abandonment, mental suffering, neglect and self-neglect.
Identifying the red flags of abuse and reporting are key to protecting our at risk older and disabled adults. Some
common signs of abuse include;
Unexplained changes in behavior or personal hygiene
Lack of basic necessities such as food, water, utilities, medications and medical care
Missing personal belongings, documents, money or credit cards
Depression, isolation or hesitance on the part of the elder to talk openly
Poor living conditions
Physical signs such as broken bones, bruises, cuts, burns or untreated bed sores
Do you know someone who displays the signs of abuse? If so, please take action right away. Report abuse by
calling the Butte County Adult Protective Services 24-hour Intake Line at 1-800-664-9774.
If the suspected abuse occurs in a nursing home, residential care facility or assisted living facility contact the
state Long-Term Care Ombudsman CRISISline at 1-800-231-4024 or the local PASSAGES’ long-term care
ombudsman program at (530) 898-5923.
It is up to all of us to help protect the vulnerable elderly and disabled members of our community.
###
Miranda Bowersox
Communications/Public Information Officer
Butte County Administration
25 County Center Drive, Oroville Ca. 95965
T. 530.552.3320 M. 530.282.2146
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