Protecting Seniors from Elder Abuse

BY PAULA M. FELIPE/Public Safety Reporter Butte County California
2007 12:00:00 AM PDT

The senior population is growing in Butte County and so are the number of calls to Adult Protective Services reporting elder abuse.

The Butte County Board of Supervisors unanimously endorsed signing a letter of support for a bill that would increase funding for Adult Protective Services (APS) statewide.

This letter urges support for APS by providing $20 million State General Fund augmentation, and it was signed by Butte County Supervisor Chair Jane Dolan and will be sent to the California State Legislature.

Cathi Grams, director of Butte County Department of Employment and Social Services and her Assistant Patty Smith gave a presentation to the Supervisors about APS in Butte county and its critical need for increased funding.

During fiscal year 2005/06, Butte County's APS program received over 1,770 reports of elder abuse and neglect. This is a 51 percent increase since 2001. Grams also said financial abuse cases saw a 27.7 percent increase during this same time period.