Elder Abuse Eyed In Pleasanton, Across Alameda County

PLEASANTON, CA — The City of Pleasanton is slated to adopt a proclamation claiming June 2019 as Elder Abuse Awareness Month. Council members will vote on the proclamation during Tuesday night's regularly scheduled city council meeting. The move follows a similar proclamation recently adopted by the Alameda County Board of Supervisors.

"Elder abuse comes in different forms including emotional, financial, sexual and physical, as well as neglect and abandonment," explained Teresa Drenick, spokesperson for the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office. Throughout the month of June, Drenick said the DA’s office will be publicly sharing what these crimes look like while also sharing information for victims as to what kind of county resources are offered.

According to the DA's office, some some of the warning signs of elder/dependent adult abuse include:

• Not being given the opportunity to speak for yourself in presence of your caregiver
• Your caregiver is too aggressive with you
• Caregiver has problems with alcohol/drugs
• If you feel socially isolated and your caregiver says he/she is the only one who cares about you
• If you notice your caregiver lying to others about how your injuries occurred
• Uncomfortable behavior by a caregiver toward you
• Caregiver using your money for their benefit. Repeatedly pressuring you for money or power of attorney

Signs that someone you know may be a victim

• If you notice bruises, or abnormal color changes/spots, especially bleeding
• If a person looks dirty, has sores or rashes, and poor hygiene, they may be neglected
• Helplessness or hesitation to talk openly may be a sign
• Depression, withdrawal, and suicidal acts or refusing medical attention
• Sudden social isolation
• Sudden involvement of a previously uninvolved relative or a new friend
• Pressure to change will, power of attorney or to add a name to a property deed or to bank accounts
• Disparity between lifestyle of the elder and the elder’s caregiver

The DA's office is reminding people of important numbers to call for elder/dependent adult abuse:

Adult Protective Services: (866) CallAPS or (866) 225-5277
Court Investigator’s Office (if a conservatorship exists): (510) 636-8820
Legal Assistance for Seniors (LAS): (510) 832-3040
Regional Center of the East Bay: (510) 618-6100

For more information on DA’s Elder/Dependent Adult Protection Unit, see the link below: https://www.alcoda.org/victim_witness/elderdependent_adult