Organizations from around the state have come together to help spread awareness about a very important topic: elder and dependent abuse.

With an aging population, this type of abuse may be more common than we realize.

According to County Welfare Directors Association of California, or CWDA, Adult Protective Services in California receives as many as 10,000 reports of elder and dependent adult abuse per month.

Do you know the signs of elder and dependent adult abuse? Take a look at the infographic below from the awareness campaign outlining some warning signs. If you suspect abuse, contact your local Adult Protective Services authority.

Cal OES showed its support for this important issue at this week’s kickoff event in downtown Sacramento, but also shows its support throughout the year with the Elder Abuse and Unserved/Underserved Victim Advocacy & Outreach grant programs it administers.

“Cal OES is pleased to be supporting programs that respond to the needs of elders who are victims of physical, emotional, or financial abuse,” said Gina Buccieri-Harrington, Cal OES Grants Management assistant director. “The Elder Abuse Program is helping communities develop a coordinated community response to elder abuse victims and improving the lives of those who led our way.”

The Elder Abuse Program is designed to enhance the safety of elder and dependent adult victims of crime by providing direct services to victims and bridging the gap between elder justice providers and victim service providers.

The program also provides support for communities to improve their ability to identify the needs of victims of elder and dependent adult abuse and improve the delivery of services.

The Unserved/Underserved Victim Advocacy and Outreach Program is designed to increase access to culturally appropriate victim services for unserved/underserved victims of crime. 

The unserved/underserved are any victim population that disproportionately accesses victim services in a service area.