Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Date: 05/03/05

Contact person(s):

Media Coordinator, Donna Edwards - 565-3099 Media Spokesperson, Assistant District Attorney Larry Scoufos

Santa Rosa, Sonoma County, California

BOARD OF SUPERVISORS DECLARES THE MONTH OF MAY AS
ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH

Sonoma County District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua and Dianne M. Edwards, Director of Human Services, jointly announced today that the Board of Supervisors passed a resolution declaring the month of May as Elder Abuse Prevention month. "Our seniors are vulnerable and it is critical that in their twilight years we protect them; during these difficult times of being understaffed and facing budget challenges, prevention must be a top priority to stop elder abuse in Sonoma County," said District Attorney Passalacqua. Dianne M. Edwards joined District Attorney Passalacqua with other senior activists in requesting the Board’s resolution. "It is estimated that only one in 14 cases of elder abuse are actually reported to Adult Protective Services, so the prevalence of abuse is really much broader than we know," stated Dianne Edwards.

On May 25, an Elder Abuse Awareness Convention will take place in Santa Rosa to raise the public awareness in the investigation, prosecution, and prevention of elder abuse. According to recently reported statistics, Sonoma County’s over-sixty population is estimated to skyrocket to 157% in five years and the number of seniors in Sonoma County over eighty-five, is expected to increase 200% by 2040. Seniors, their family and friends, and community members are invited to attend a luncheon and afternoon community program. The keynote speaker of this conference will be Attorney General Bill Lockyer.

The Institute for the Advancement of Criminal Justice, the California District Attorney’s Association provided the funds to put on this elder abuse prevention event. The conference will be a collaborative effort hosted by the District Attorney’s Office, California District Attorney’s Association, Institute for the Advancement of Criminal Justice, Sonoma County Human Services Department, Council on Aging, Sonoma County Area Agency on Aging, Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chief’s Association, and the Elder Financial Protection Network.

For information or questions regarding this day long training and community outreach program, contact the Area Agency on Aging at 565-5950 or the Sonoma County District Attorney’s Office at 565-2311.