Riverside County To Host Elder Abuse Awareness/Prevention Symposium

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA --- A symposium on how to spot and prevent elder abuse is planned in Riverside County later this month, during which officials from multiple agencies will impart details about their work and the victims they encounter. 

"Our message is to bring awareness and share information on the very complex issues affecting seniors,'' said county Department of Public Social Services Assistant Director Lisa Shiner. "June is 'Elder Abuse Awareness Month' in Riverside County, and this symposium is a coordinated effort with our many partners who share responsibility for addressing this community concern.''   

Shiner said the county has adopted the national anti-elder abuse theme --"Recognize It! Report It! Prevent It''   

The daylong symposium is set for June 29 at the Miramonte Resort & Spain Indian Wells.   

The keynote speaker will be San Diego County Deputy District Attorney Paul Greenwood, who specializes in prosecuting crimes against dependent adults.   

According to DPSS officials, one of the stories that will be spotlighted involved a 65-year-old woman with cerebral palsy who became the ward of her cousin.   

The cousin abandoned the disabled woman in an Inland Empire motel room in September 2014, where the victim was discovered by the manager 24 hours later, unable to communicate, suffering a fractured right shoulder and in need of water and food.  

Officials said the woman was placed in the care of Adult Protective Services and was eventually housed in a skilled nursing facility.   The cousin was tracked down, arrested, prosecuted and convicted of elder abuse, according to agency officials.

Participants in the June 29 forum will include representatives from the sheriff's department, the Riverside University Health System, the Inland Regional Center, the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage and the Riverside Police Department.

• Also see: Confused On How Medicare's Hospice Benefit Works?

--City News Service/Morguefile image