DESIGNATING JUNE 2025 AS OLDER AMERICAN AND
DEPENDENT ADULT AWARENESS MONTH
WHEREAS, Lake County seniors and dependent adults are valued members of society, and it is our collective desire to ensure they live safely and with dignity; and
WHEREAS, Older Americans Month, established by the Administration for Community Living in 1963, is a time to recognize older Americans' contributions, highlight aging trends, and reaffirm commitments to serving the older adults in our communities; and
WHEREAS, the 2025 theme of Older Americans Month “Flip the Script on Aging,” focuses on transforming how society perceives, talks about, and approaches aging, encouraging individuals and communities to challenge stereotypes and dispel misconceptions; and
WHEREAS, the population of Californians over 60 years of age is expected to increase 166 percent during the period from 2010 to 2060, inclusive, with more than one-half of the counties seeing a 100-percent increase in this age group; and
WHEREAS, research by the National Institute of Justice found that 11 percent of older adults reported experiencing at least one form of mistreatment in the past year, including emotional, physical, or sexual abuse, neglect, or financial exploitation; and
WHEREAS, abuse of elder and dependent adults is a tragedy inflicted on vulnerable adults and an ever-increasing problem in today’s society that crosses socio-economic boundaries; and
WHEREAS, combating the abuse of elder and dependent adults will help improve the quality of life for all citizens and will allow elder and dependent adults to continue to live as independently as possible and contribute to the vibrancy of life in Lake County; and
WHEREAS, Lake County is committed to raising awareness about issues facing elder and dependent adults and helping all individuals thrive in communities for as long as possible; and
WHEREAS, Lake County promotes building safer communities for all our citizens; and
WHEREAS, increased awareness of issues of elder and adult dependent abuse increases the likelihood of reporting and successfully prosecuting those who abuse Lake County’s vulnerable seniors and dependent adults; and
WHEREAS, all older adults and persons with disabilities have the right to live safely in the least restrictive environment, whether in their homes or in 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 older adults and adults with disabilities by identifying and preventing the social isolation of older adults through the expansion and resourcing of home- and community-based long-term support and services programs, by increasing training of law enforcement, increasing public awareness, and expanding social service programs; and
WHEREAS, Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in California aligns with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, first established in 2006 and observed on June 15 every year and created to promote a better understanding of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic issues associated with abuse around the globe; and
WHEREAS, on June 10, 2019, Governor Newsom issued Executive Order No. N-14-19, calling for the development of a 10-year Master Plan for Aging (MPA) to serve as a blueprint for state government, local government, the private sector, and philanthropy to prepare the state for the coming demographic changes and continue California’s leadership in aging, disability, and equity; and
WHEREAS, Goal 3 of the MPA, “Inclusion and Equity, Not Isolation,” resulted in the establishment of the California Elder and Disability Justice Coordinating Council, which brings together agency representatives and stakeholders working to strengthen the system of services for older adults and dependent adult victims of abuse and neglect; 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, local Long-Term Care Ombudsman program, law enforcement, or emergency services agencies.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT PROCLAIMED that the Lake County Board of Supervisors, along with the Lake County Department of Social Services, does hereby designate June 2025 as Older American and Dependent Adult Awareness Month.