A: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) is recognized on June 15 every year. It is meant to bring awareness and understanding of elder abuse and neglect. This is so important because, sadly, elder abuse is in every community. Approximately one in every ten people over the age of 60 in the US has experienced elder abuse, and yet only one in 24 of these crimes are reported. Awareness is an important part of helping people know where to turn for help for themselves or for someone they know.
Last week the Ventura County Board of Supervisors issued a proclamation in honor of WEAAD. Carey Aldava was there to accept the proclamation and share why this is important for our community. She is the Program Manager of the Ventura County Adult Protective Services program (APS).
Every county in California has an APS agency to help elder adults (60 years and older) and dependent adults (18-59 who are disabled), when these adults are unable to meet their own needs, or are victims of abuse, neglect or exploitation. These county agencies investigate reports of abuse of elders and dependent adults.
Aldava shared some of the statistics on elder abuse in Ventura County. She said “Last year, APS received 6,000 reports of abuse and neglect that required a multidisciplinary approach. Abuse reports increased 15% year-over-year in 2023 and continue to increase in the first quarter of 2024. Financial abuse alone is projected to increase 12% in 2024.”
She also shared how the APS program works together with community partners to make positive changes in the lives of their clients. She shared that 82% of their clients have seen improvements in the areas of health, safety, stability, and well-being due to the APS intervention.
Elder abuse can be physical, financial, emotional and even due to neglect. Neglect may mean a person is neglecting their own care (self-neglect), or it may mean someone responsible for their care is neglecting them.
Risks factors for elder abuse include living alone, having a lack of social support or resources, experiencing confusion or cognitive impairment, not having a regular physician to monitor them, or refusing help altogether.
If you suspect elder or dependent adult abuse, neglect or self-neglect, please contact APS so they can investigate and offer help. Some of the signs of abuse may include dehydration or malnutrition, increased fear or anxiety, unpaid bills, unusual changes in spending patterns, isolation from friends or family, unsanitary living conditions or unexplained injuries.
In Ventura County you can call the 24-hour abuse reporting hotline at 805-654-3200. In Los Angeles County you can call the 24-hour abuse hotline at 1-877-477-3646.
You can also take steps to protect yourself from elder abuse. Work to stay physically and mentally active. Stay social and keep engaging in your networks of friends and families. These relationships can serve as protective factors for you. Be on the lookout for scams and always verify or check with a trusted source if you are unsure if something is real. Use licensed and bonded caregivers. Be careful with your finances and use caution adding any friends or family to your accounts.
As a community we can all be on the lookout for signs of abuse for both ourselves as well as our friends and neighbors. It takes a community effort to show that elder abuse of any kind will not be tolerated. And to show people that reaching out and accepting help is the strong and brave thing to do. We want every person to feel safe asking for help and support so they can age with dignity in our community.
Martha Shapiro can be reached at Senior Concerns at 805-497-0189 or by email at mshapiro@seniorconcerns.org.
