Sonoma County Elder Protection Summit

ELDER PROTECTION SUMMIT HELD IN OAKMONT

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua announced today that his office and many other community based elder organizations hosted their 5th Elder Protection Summit yesterday. The Elder Protection Summits have been presented at various Sonoma County communities including Oakmont, Cloverdale, Sebastopol and Russian River. The next Elder Protection summit will be held on May 17, 2010, 9:00am to 11:00am at Paulin Creek, 2375 Range Ave, Santa Rosa, CA. 707.575.3722.

On April 8th, 2010, over 60 people attended an Elder Protection Summit in Sonoma to learn ways to prevent becoming a victim of elder abuse. Vintage House hosted the Summit in partnership with District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua, Sonoma County Supervisor Valerie Brown, Adult Protective Services, Sonoma Police Department, Sonoma County Law Enforcement Chiefs’ Association, CAHSAH, Commission on Human Rights, Council on Aging, Elder Financial Protection network and Senior Advocacy Services. The purpose of the Summit was to raise public awareness about elder protection issues so that our senior population learns the tools necessary to avoid being victimized. The “Senior” population in Sonoma County consists of over 90,000 residents age 60 and over and represents approximately 18 percent of the population.

Judy Rice from the Commission on Human Rights stated “We are thrilled to partner with the many organizations to help host this event, which is so important to seniors in our community. District Attorney Passalacqua and Supervisor Brown have continued to demonstrate the needed leadership to make this event a reality.”

Supervisor Valerie Brown, in whose District the Summit was held, said: “Providing a forum for our senior residents to learn and explore ways of avoiding fraud and abuse was powerful. The event was well-attended and I hope everyone left better prepared to help ourselves, our friends and our families.”

District Attorney Stephan Passalacqua stated: “Our seniors are vulnerable and it is critical that in their twilight years, we put forth the effort to afford them the protection and prevention they so rightfully have earned and deserve. During these difficult economic times, elder abuse has become more prevalent, and the Summit addressed those issues needed for their protection. Prevention & community involvement are a formidable strategy to reduce the financial, physical, and emotional abuse of the elderly.”

Other speakers and panel participants included representatives from each of the partnering groups including Sonoma Police Chief Bret Sackett, Robin Hammond from the District Attorney’s Office.

The next Elder Protection summit will be held on May 17, 2010, 9:00am to 11:00am at Paulin Creek, 2375 Range Ave, Santa Rosa, CA. 707.575.3722.