Title
Proclamation Declaring the Month of June 2021 as Elder Abuse Awareness Month.
Body
Proclamation
Whereas, elder abuse occurs among people of diverse educational, ethnic and socio-economic backgrounds who are victimized by strangers and/or by persons they know and who may occupy a position of trust; and
Whereas, after fighting COVID-19 for more than a year, the global pandemic continues to impact everyone, especially elders, by making fragile living situations more stressful and putting elders more at risk for their physical health, safety, and well-being. The pandemic also made reporting suspected elder abuse and neglect more difficult, and provided opportunities for those who prey upon the concerns and fears of the most vulnerable members of our society to create new scams to obtain their money and property; and
Whereas, the Alameda County District Attorney’s Office, its Elder Protection Unit and Victim Witness Division, in collaboration with the Alameda County Social Services Agency - Adult Protective Services and the Ombudsman Services of Alameda, Contra Costa, and Solano Counties, provide a network of services to elders who are in danger of becoming, or who have become, victims of abuse. These services include holding community workshops to promote crime prevention awareness and prosecuting cases of elder abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation; and
Whereas, Mastick Senior Center provides a comprehensive array of services, as well as recreational and social programs, to meet the needs of our elder population, enhance their quality of life, and help them remain active, healthy, independent, and safe; and
Whereas, the City of Alameda recognizes that awareness of elder abuse and neglect, as well as reporting suspected elder abuse and neglect and financial exploitation, will help keep our elders and community safer.
Now, therefore, be it resolved, that I, Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft, Mayor of the City of Alameda, hereby proclaim June 2021 as Elder Abuse Awareness Month and June 15, 2021, as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in the City of Alameda, and encourage all residents to recognize elders as valuable members of our community who have the right to live safely and securely in our City.
Marilyn Ezzy Ashcraft
Mayor