Local Students Create Awareness of Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse through Statewide Competition

The State of California Department of Social Services in conjunction with the Elder Justice Coalition and the Coordinating Council on Aging sponsored an Art and Media Contest to bring public awareness to Elder and Dependent Abuse Month which occurs each June. The contestants entry categories consisted of Radio Public Service Announcements, Hashtags and Posters. The winner in the youth categories were all students at Pleasant Valley High School (PV) in Chico who are enrolled in a media course taught by Michael Peck. An awards ceremony was held at PV and the winner won certificates and cash awards provided by Wells Fargo Bank. The art has also been displayed at the Capital building in Sacramento. The video highlights the winning posters and one of the public service announcements.

Elder abuse effects everyone in the community.

What can you do to help?

If you suspect that an older or dependent adult needs help:

Please call Butte County Adult Protective Services
(530) 538-6709 or 1-800-664-9774 day or night.

The Red Flags of Elder Abuse

Call: 800.664.9774 to report abuse occurring in Butte County

Mandated Reporter Training Information

This training is recommended for all employees of public and private care facilities, for health care workers, members of the clergy, employees of financial institutions, law enforcement personnel and anyone with full or intermittent responsibility for the care and custody of an elderly or dependent adult.

You can find the FREE Mandated Report Training HERE

Special Needs Awareness Program (SNAP)

DO YOU NEED ASSISTANCE EVACUTING DURING AN EMERGENCY?

As part of Butte County’s Emergency Evacuation Plan, the Department of Employment and Social Services works collaboratively with multiple agencies to ensure that those in need of evacuation assistance during an emergency are identified and evacuated safely and efficiently. The Special Needs Awareness Program (SNAP) is a voluntary program for those with Access and Functional Needs (AFN) such as individuals with physical/developmental or intellectual disabilities, chronic conditions or injuries, limited English proficiency, older adults, children and low income households, homeless and/or transportation disadvantaged (i.e., dependent on public transit), and pregnant women.  The Special Needs Awareness Program (SNAP) packet is available to anyone with Access and Functional Needs in the community who would like to receive additional information and register to be on this list.

Highlights

Many adults are hurt by abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The adults who are most vulnerable are those with physical disabilities , those who are frail, and those with mental or emotional disabilities. Abuse can go on for years or may be a recent threat to the safety of an individual. Those who are abused often need assistance in protecting themselves, their income, their assets or their environment.

What is Abuse?

Abuse of an elder or dependent adult includes any of the following:

• Physical Abuse
• Neglect
• Financial Abuse
• Abandonment
• Abduction

What are the Signs of Abuse?

Physical Abuse: Bodily injury, cuts, bruises, burns, unexplained injuries, physical restraints, evidence of sexual abuse, deprivation of food and water.

Isolation: Preventing receipt of mail, phone calls, visitors, or contact with concerned persons.

Financial: Misuse of funds, unusual activity in bank accounts, checks cashed by others, suspicious changes in ownership, unpaid bills, missing belongings.

Neglect by Self or Others: Inadequate food, dehydration, untreated medical conditions, misuse of medications, unsafe housing.

Abandonment: A dependent adult or elder person who is left alone and is unable to provide for their basic necessities of daily living.

Visit the California Department of Social Services for further information about this program.