A couple of weeks ago I attended a
Neighborhood Watch meeting at Forks of Salmon. Pam Cunningham from the sheriff’s
office talked about the problem of elder abuse. “Elders” are considered over the
age of 65. The topic also includes dependent adults.
Pam indicated that there are four types of elder abuse:
- Physical –
beatings, sexual abuse, unreasonable physical or chemical restraint, prolonged deprivation
of food and water;
- Psychological
– verbal assault or harassment, subjection to fear or isolation, confinement;
- Financial –
theft, embezzlement, misuse of funds or property, extortion, fraud; and
- Neglect –
failure to assist in personal hygiene, clothing, shelter, medical care, protection from
health and safety hazards, prevention of malnutrition and abandonment.
Statistics show that most abusers are related to the victims and are
usually adult children or spouses, (typically male.) The abuser is probably not a
voluntary caregiver. The abuser may abuse alcohol or drugs and may have emotional or
chronic psychiatric problems. The abuser may be dependent upon the victim financially.
The majority of victims are female aged 75 and older. They usually
live with their abuser, They are often reluctant to tell anyone about the abuse because
they are ashamed that their adult child or caregiver has abused them. Victims depend upon
the abuser for care. They do not report the abuse because they fear the consequences of
retaliation or having their caregiver is taken
away. They often deny reported abuse.
There are many signs of elder abuse, including physical ones,
behavioral and social indicators. The book “Life Line – Recognizing and
Reporting Elder Abuse” can be obtained through Ms. Cunningham’s Office. In Siskiyou
County, there has also been a concerted effort to work with banks and financial
institutions to help and spot financial abuse. As a result, several financial abuse cases
have been successfully prosecuted. Suspected
elder abuse should be reported to Siskiyou County Adult Protective Services at 841-4200
On another note, there is currently an opening on the Public Health
Tobacco Coalition Advisory Board. The purpose of the Board is to advise our Public Health
officer on programs affecting public health. Board members may come from the health,
education, welfare or private sector. Meetings are every other month on Wednesdays from noon
to 2 p.m.
We have several committees with vacancies, such as the Hornbrook Fire
Protection Board, the Local Childcare Planning Council, Superior California Economic
Development Council, the Assessment Appeals Board and the Public Health Solid Waste
Hearing Panel. You can locate descriptions
online at: http://www.co.siskiyou.ca.us/bos/notice_of_vacancies.htm To apply,
simply send a letter of interest with your name, address, phone number and any
qualifications you may have to the Clerk of the Board of Supervisors, Courthouse, P.O. Box
338, Yreka, CA 96097 or call 842-8081 for more information.
Dates to mark on your calendar: The federal Klamath River Basin
Fisheries Task Force will be meeting in Yreka on October 13 and 14. They generally meet at
the Miner’s Inn Convention Center. Also
on October 14, the Countywide Fire Safe Council will be holding a meeting at the Yreka
High School Student Union building from 7-830 p.m. This will include presentations by
local insurance agents on the impact of wildfire risk on home insurance. |
