California 2017-2018 Regular Session

California Assembly Bill ACR238 Latest Draft

Bill / Chaptered Version Filed 08/17/2018

                            Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 238 CHAPTER 135Relative to Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month. [ Filed with  Secretary of State  August 17, 2018. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTACR 238, Kalra. Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month.This measure would proclaim and acknowledge the month of June 2018 as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in California and would reiterate the importance of annually recognizing Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in the state.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO Bill TextWHEREAS, Throughout the United States, 10,000 people a day are turning 65 years of age; andWHEREAS, One in 10 Americans 60 years of age and older experiences abuse each year; andWHEREAS, One in every eight individuals over 65 years of age is living with Alzheimers disease, and nearly one in two people with dementia experiences some form of abuse; andWHEREAS, Elder and dependent adults may be impacted by physical, mental, pharmaceutical, or medical influences; andWHEREAS, A 2009 National Institute of Justice study found that 11 percent of elders reported experiencing at least one form of mistreatment, including emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment or neglect, in the past year; andWHEREAS, Subtle indicators that abuse may be occurring include bruises or pressure marks, unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a change in alertness, unusual depression, sudden changes in financial situations, strained or tense relationships, or frequent arguments; andWHEREAS, Recognizing these signs is the first step toward the prevention of elder and dependent adult abuse; andWHEREAS, Elder and dependent adult abuse victims have a mortality rate three times that of the general public and are 300 percent more likely to suffer from a premature death; andWHEREAS, Current estimates suggest that as few as one in 14 cases of elder and dependent adult abuse is reported, including fewer than one in 25 incidents of financial abuse; andWHEREAS, Elders and dependent adults have the right to live safely in the least restrictive environment, whether in their homes or health care facilities, and to enjoy an optimum quality of life while being protected from all forms of injustice; andWHEREAS, Private citizens and public agencies must work to combat crime and violence against elders and dependent adults, particularly in the face of continued funding reductions in vital services; andWHEREAS, Due to the nature of elder abuse, June 15 is recognized internationally as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, first established in 2006, to raise awareness of elder and dependent adult abuse and to promote better understanding of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic issues that may contribute to the growing incidence of elder and dependent adult abuse around the globe; andWHEREAS, All Californians are strongly encouraged to report suspected abuse of an elder or dependent adult by calling their local adult protective services agency, or Long-Term Care Ombudsman, law enforcement, or emergency services agencies; now, therefore, be itResolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims and acknowledges the month of June 2018 as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in California and reiterates the importance of annually recognizing Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in the state; and be it furtherResolved, That Californias recognition of elder and dependent adult abuse in June is consistent with the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day of June 15; and be it furtherResolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.

 Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 238 CHAPTER 135Relative to Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month. [ Filed with  Secretary of State  August 17, 2018. ] LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGESTACR 238, Kalra. Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month.This measure would proclaim and acknowledge the month of June 2018 as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in California and would reiterate the importance of annually recognizing Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in the state.Digest Key Fiscal Committee: NO 

Assembly Concurrent Resolution No. 238
CHAPTER 135

Relative to Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month.

 [ Filed with  Secretary of State  August 17, 2018. ] 

LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

## LEGISLATIVE COUNSEL'S DIGEST

ACR 238, Kalra. Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month.

This measure would proclaim and acknowledge the month of June 2018 as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in California and would reiterate the importance of annually recognizing Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in the state.

This measure would proclaim and acknowledge the month of June 2018 as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in California and would reiterate the importance of annually recognizing Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in the state.

## Digest Key

## Bill Text

WHEREAS, Throughout the United States, 10,000 people a day are turning 65 years of age; and

WHEREAS, One in 10 Americans 60 years of age and older experiences abuse each year; and

WHEREAS, One in every eight individuals over 65 years of age is living with Alzheimers disease, and nearly one in two people with dementia experiences some form of abuse; and

WHEREAS, Elder and dependent adults may be impacted by physical, mental, pharmaceutical, or medical influences; and

WHEREAS, A 2009 National Institute of Justice study found that 11 percent of elders reported experiencing at least one form of mistreatment, including emotional, physical, or sexual mistreatment or neglect, in the past year; and

WHEREAS, Subtle indicators that abuse may be occurring include bruises or pressure marks, unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, a change in alertness, unusual depression, sudden changes in financial situations, strained or tense relationships, or frequent arguments; and

WHEREAS, Recognizing these signs is the first step toward the prevention of elder and dependent adult abuse; and

WHEREAS, Elder and dependent adult abuse victims have a mortality rate three times that of the general public and are 300 percent more likely to suffer from a premature death; and

WHEREAS, Current estimates suggest that as few as one in 14 cases of elder and dependent adult abuse is reported, including fewer than one in 25 incidents of financial abuse; and

WHEREAS, Elders and dependent adults have the right to live safely in the least restrictive environment, whether in their homes or health care facilities, and to enjoy an optimum quality of life while being protected from all forms of injustice; and

WHEREAS, Private citizens and public agencies must work to combat crime and violence against elders and dependent adults, particularly in the face of continued funding reductions in vital services; and

WHEREAS, Due to the nature of elder abuse, June 15 is recognized internationally as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, first established in 2006, to raise awareness of elder and dependent adult abuse and to promote better understanding of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic issues that may contribute to the growing incidence of elder and dependent adult abuse around the globe; and

WHEREAS, All Californians are strongly encouraged to report suspected abuse of an elder or dependent adult by calling their local adult protective services agency, or Long-Term Care Ombudsman, law enforcement, or emergency services agencies; now, therefore, be it

Resolved by the Assembly of the State of California, the Senate thereof concurring, That the Legislature proclaims and acknowledges the month of June 2018 as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in California and reiterates the importance of annually recognizing Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in the state; and be it further

Resolved, That Californias recognition of elder and dependent adult abuse in June is consistent with the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day of June 15; and be it further

Resolved, That the Chief Clerk of the Assembly transmit copies of this resolution to the author for appropriate distribution.