Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda Launches the Elder Justice Lunch and Learn Series Press Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda Launches the Elder Justice Lunch and Learn Series

12 Free Virtual Monthly Webinars Aimed at Supporting Elder Care Professionals Prevent and Fight Against Abuse and Neglect in the Age of COVID-19.

PLEASANT HILL, Calif., June 3, 2020 — Since the coronavirus pandemic began, it has changed the world, our community, and the elder care industry as we know it. Given the immense impact on seniors and older disabled adults, it is more important than ever to support our elder community care systems that protect the quality of life and advance the aging journey in this new era of care. Taking the lead in addressing these issues is Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda with the launch of their 12-month Elder Justice Lunch and Learn Series.

“This is the fifth year that we are hosting our annual elder justice event, but it’s not our traditional in-person forum,” says Nicole Howell, executive director of Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda. “We rapidly pivoted and transitioned to a yearlong monthly webinar series that brings our industry together with leaders at the forefront of addressing the evolution of elder abuse and COVID-19.”

According to the Administration for Community Living (ACL), it is “estimated that 5 million older adults are abused, neglected, or exploited” every year. In addition, these aging adults lose more than $2.6 billion due to elder financial abuse, which is critical to their lifestyle and basic needs. The ACL also reports that only one in five elder abuse crimes are discovered.

“Our world is like a snow globe, right? We’ve gotten super shaken up, and now a critical issue is even more magnified,” Howell continues. “Elder abuse doesn’t discriminate. It happens to anyone and everyone. With seniors in isolation, we’re doing everything in our power to ensure their overall safety, health, and wellness, but it’s not enough. We need big systemic changes, and that’s our goal with bringing everyone together for this event.”

This program is set to launch on Thursday, June 18, 2020, with the first webinar taking place from 12:00 PM – 1:00 PM. This series of monthly webinars will continue to take place on the third Thursday of every month until May 20, 2021.

The first event on June 18 features elder abuse investigation and prosecution expert Paul Greenwood with a keynote on the “Collaboration and the Future of Elder Justice.” As a newly retired district attorney who headed up the Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit at the San Diego DA’s Office for over twenty years, Paul is known worldwide for his consultancy on elder abuse cases as well as law enforcement and agency training.

Other topics in this series include:

• Preventing Eviction in the Age of COVID-19
• National Trends in Adult Protective Services Amid COVID-19
• Professional Strategies – Taking Care of Ourselves So We Can Take Care of Others
• Actionable Engagement Tactics to Prevent Isolation + Advances in Technology
• Rights Afforded to Victims and Their Families
• The Art and Science of Working with “Non-Verbal” Clients
• Expanding Reach and Impact with Community-Based Organizations, First Responders, Local Government, and More
• Scam Prevention and Recovery

Registration for this first session is available through Eventbrite, and more information on future sessions can be found on the event webpage.

The Elder Justice Lunch and Learn program is sponsored by Kaiser Permanente and planning partners that include California Department of Social Services (CDSS); California Department of Aging (CDA); California Commission on Aging (CCOA); California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association (CLTCOA); California State Association of Public Administrators, Public Guardians, and Public Conservators (CAPAPGPC); and California Department of Aging State Long-Term Care Ombudsman.

About Ombudsman Services of Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda:

Ombudsman Services is the only organization mandated by law to make unannounced visits to long-term care facilities to ensure that residents are free from abuse and are receiving quality care. We have been aiding the community for more than 40 years, and all services are free of charge. We serve Contra Costa, Solano and Alameda counties with our team of highly trained Ombudsman staff and volunteers. For more information, visit www.ccombudsman.org.

About Kaiser Permanente:

Kaiser Permanente is committed to helping shape the future of health care. We are recognized as one of America’s leading health care providers and not-for-profit health plans. Founded in 1945, Kaiser Permanente has a mission to provide high-quality, affordable health care services and to improve the health of our members and the communities we serve. We currently serve 12.4 million members in eight states and the District of Columbia. Care for members and patients is focused on their total health and guided by their personal Permanente Medical Group physicians, specialists, and team of caregivers. Our expert and caring medical teams are empowered and supported by industry-leading technology advances and tools for health promotion, disease prevention, state-of-the-art care delivery, and world-class chronic disease management. Kaiser Permanente is dedicated to care innovations, clinical research, health education, and the support of community health.

Learn More: https://healthy.kaiserpermanente.org

About California Department of Social Services:

Today, in a society that has become increasingly diverse and complex, the Department strives to carry out its mission of providing aid, services, and protection to needy children and adults. At the same time, the Department strives to strengthen and encourage individual responsibility and independence for families. By managing and funding its programs, the objectives of the Department are carried out through the 4,200 employees located in 51 offices throughout the state, the 58 county welfare departments, offices, and a host of community-based organizations.

Learn More: https://www.cdss.ca.gov

About California Department of Aging:

Under the umbrella of the California Health and Human Services Agency, the California Department of Aging (CDA) administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the state. These programs are funded through the federal Older Americans Act, the Older Californians Act, and through the Medi-Cal program.

The Department contracts with the network of 33 Area Agencies on Aging who directly manage a wide array of federal and state-funded services that provide meals, help finding employment, supportive services to assist older individuals as well as younger adults with disabilities to live as independently as possible, promote healthy aging and community involvement, and support family members in their vital care giving role.

CDA also contracts with 38 agencies that operate the Multipurpose Senior Services Program through the Medi-Cal home and community-based waiver for the elderly and certifies approximately 242 Adult Day Health Care Centers for participation in the Medi-Cal Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) Program.

To promote the Department’s goal of every Californian having the opportunity to enjoy wellness, longevity, and quality of life in strong, healthy communities, CDA actively collaborates with many other state departments (and other entities) on transportation, housing and accessibility, emergency preparedness and response, wellness and nutrition, falls and injury prevention, improving services to persons with dementia, reducing fraud and abuse, and many other issues.

Learn More: https://www.aging.ca.gov

About California Commission on Aging:

The California Commission on Aging was established in 1973 by the Burton Act. It was confirmed in the original Older Californians Act of 1980 and reconfirmed in the Mello-Granlund Older Californians Act of 1996. It is comprised of 25 commissioners: 19 appointed by the Governor, 3 appointed by the Speaker of the Assembly, and 3 by the Senate Rules Committee. All commissioners serve three-year terms as volunteers.

The Commission serves as “the principal advocate in the state on behalf of older individuals, including, but not limited to, advisory participation in the consideration of all legislation and regulations made by state and federal departments and agencies relating to programs and services that affect older individuals.” As such, it is the principal advisory body to the Governor, State Legislature, and state, federal, and local departments and agencies on issues affecting older individuals in order to ensure a quality of life for older Californians so they may live with dignity in their chosen environment.

Learn More: https://ccoa.ca.gov

About California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association:

Founded in 1979, California Long-Term Care Ombudsman Association (CLTCOA) is the leading voice for local Long-Term Care (LTC) Ombudsman programs. The association’s education, public information and systemic advocacy is leading the way for California’s LTC Ombudsman programs to protect the aging and dependent adults in their communities. CLTCOA and its local partners are shaping the future of aging in California by ensuring that the over 304,000 residents in long-term care have access to excellence in advocacy through their local LTC Ombudsman program.

Learn More: https://www.cltcoa.org

About CAPAPGPC:

The California Association of Public Administrators, Public Guardians, and Public Conservators (CA PA|PG|PC) is a nonprofit association representing government officials and employees who provide services to the citizens of California through the Public Administrator, Public Guardian, and Public Conservator offices in each of California’s 58 counties. These agencies act as the legal guardian or conservator of older and dependent adult Californians who are no longer able to act in their own best interest, resist undue influence, or are gravely disabled as a result of a psychiatric or cognitive disorder. The agencies also act as the personal representative for decedent estates for whom there is no other person willing or able to act.

Learn More: http://capapgpc.org

About California Department of Aging State Long-Term Care Ombudsman:

The California Department of Aging (CDA) administers programs that serve older adults, adults with disabilities, family caregivers, and residents in long-term care facilities throughout the state. These services are provided locally by the Area Agencies on Aging (AAA), Medi-Cal Community-Based Adult Services (CBAS) centers, or other contracted agencies.

Learn More: https://www.aging.ca.gov/Programs_and_Services/Long-Term_Care_Ombudsman/

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