PSA 2 Area Agency on Aging campaign helps raise awareness of elder, dependent adult abuse
In California, there are more than 202,549 cases of reported elder and dependent adult abuse per year. Elder abuse is significantly underreported. For every case known to programs and agencies, 24 are unknown. For financial abuse, only one in 44 cases is reported.
To help increase reporting, PSA 2 Area Agency on Aging, PSA 2 Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program and Lassen County Adult Protective Services are teaming up with older adult advocates from throughout the state to educate our communities, elected officials, and law enforcement agencies about elder and dependent adult abuse during the “KNOW ABUSE, REPORT ABUSE” campaign developed by the California Association of Area Agencies on Aging.
Elder and dependent adult abuse takes many forms, some more obvious than others. Physical, mental, sexual, and financial abuse, as well as abandonment, neglect and self-neglect are recognized in state law as forms of elder and dependent adult abuse. All types of elder and dependent adult abuse are on the rise. To help raise awareness, signs displaying the “KNOW ABUSE, REPORT ABUSE” campaign logo have been placed in key locations in the county.
Here in Lassen County, 231 cases of elder abuse were reported last year.
Know the signs:
- Lack of basic amenities.
- Cluttered, filthy living environment.
- Unexpected or uncharacteristic changes in behavior.
- Unexplained sexually transmitted diseases.
- Unpaid bills, new credit cards and/or increased cash withdrawals.
- Harassment, coercion, intimidation, humiliation.
- Caregiver isolates elder.
Lassen County Adult Protective Services can be reached at (530) 251-8158 for reporting abuse of older and dependent adults who may be physically or financially abused, neglected, or exploited.
To report suspected abuse of an elder in a nursing home, residential care facility for the elderly, or assisted living facility, call the State Ombudsman CRISIS line at (800) 231-4024 or your local PSA 2 Long- Term Care Ombudsman Program at (530) 229-1435.
To find more information concerning the fight against elder abuse, visit the “KNOW ABUSE, REPORT ABUSE” page on the PSA 2 Area Agency on Aging website at: https://www.psa2.org/elder-abuse-awareness-prevention or contact: PSA 2 Area Agency on Aging at P.O. Box 1400/208 W. Center Street, Yreka, CA 96097, (530) 842-1687, www.psa2.org.
