In support of the elderly
In recognition of Elder Abuse Awareness Month earlier this year, community health organizations across the Monterey Peninsula stated their commitments to promoting older adult health and preventing elder abuse.
The City of Seaside hosted its first National Older Adult Health and Fitness Day event at the Oldemeyer Center and Pattullo Swim Center in May, with a resource fair featuring over a dozen health and aging-related organizations and physical activities like aquatics, pickleball and line dancing.
The Oldemeyer Center's older adult programs aim to provide wellness activities, accessible recreation and community engagement to address isolation and limited social opportunities that often challenge the Monterey Peninsula’s older adult population.
Loneliness is a significant risk factor for elder abuse, according to research from the Gerontological Society of America.
"While loneliness can be a challenge, many participants find a renewed sense of community through our offerings. It is especially rewarding to see meaningful connections form, whether through a game of bingo or an exercise class," said Jacqueline Perez-Lopez, the recreation specialist of the Oldmeyer Center’s older adults program.
Perez-Lopez highlighted some underutilized services at the Oldemeyer Center, like the "Tech Table," which assists older adults with technology concerns, monthly "Movie Days" with free drinks and popcorn for seniors and a biannual flea market. The Center also serves as a site for congregation luncheons through a partnership with Meals on Wheels.
Jacob Shafer, Meals on Wheels Monterey Peninsula senior director of philanthropy, said that their volunteer drivers are part of the solution to preventing elder abuse.
They “do far more than deliver nutritious meals," said Shafer. "Through regular wellness checks and friendly visits, they provide an important connection to the outside world and often serve as an extra set of eyes and ears for vulnerable seniors who may be isolated or at risk."
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, about one in 10 older adults experiences some form of neglect or physical, emotional, sexual, or financial abuse. Over 643,000 older adults were treated in emergency departments for nonfatal assaults from 2002 to 2016.
Christy Soboleski, the director of the Emergency Department of Montage Health's Community Hospital of the Monterey Peninsula, explained the inner workings of their emergency personnel response to elder abuse.
"Our team includes emergency department social workers, who are specially trained to support vulnerable patients. When elder abuse is suspected, they conduct patient interviews, support the care team in assessment, and assist with completing required reports to Adult Protective Services," said Soboleski.
Montage Health's emergency department social workers also assist in connecting patients to local resources by collaborating with community partners and aging services such as Adult Protective Services and Area Agency on Aging. Soboleski said these community connections strengthen social support, prevent unnecessary reliance on hospital services, and are essential for responding to suspected abuse.
"Elder abuse is preventable, and community awareness is one of the strongest tools we have," said Montage Health NICHE Coordinator Lisa Morgan in a statement. Morgan said that checking in regularly on older adults, learning the signs of abuse, and knowing where to report concerns can all reduce risk.
General signs of elder abuse may include withdrawn behavior, unexplained injuries, unusual spending patterns, and developing preventable conditions such as bedsores, according to the National Institute on Aging.
Further signs and statistics on elder abuse can be found at the Levin and Perconti law firm's guide on nursing home abuse and neglect (https://www.levinperconti.com/nursing-home-abuse/).
Monterey County residents can find support through Adult Protective Services and Senior Helpline at (831) 755‑4466 for information, referrals, or concerns of suspected abuse. Additional resources can be found through the National Eldercare Locator at (800) 677‑1116.
Ko Mosley is a student journalist at USC and a graduate of Stevenson School.
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