Score: +14 (20/3/6)

San Diego County Grand Jury • 2021-2022

Reducing Elder Abuse: Public Awareness & the Role of Community-based Senior Centers

13 pages

View Original PDF

⚠️ Translation Notice: This content has been automatically translated. The original English text is the official version. Translation may contain errors.

⚠️ Este contenido ha sido traducido automáticamente. El texto original en inglés es la versión oficial. La traducción puede contener errores.

Findings 9 findings

F01

While it is recognized that presentations by AIS and the San Diego County District Attorney’s Elder Abuse Unit have included an overview of all types of elder abuse, the majority of the recent focus has been on elder scams and financial abuse. Fact: County agencies are primarily sharing information about elder abuse with small select groups. Fact: An expanded awareness of elder abuse is included in the safety section of the “Aging Roadmap” presented to the Board of Supervisors in September 2019. Fact: AIS’s initial action steps to expand awareness of elder abuse include developing and conducting a community awareness campaign of signs of elder abuse and how to report suspected elder abuse. 22 “Health and Community Support,” Attachment A, of Update on the Aging Roadmap and the County’s Aging Initiatives, September 15, 2020, https://www.livewellsd.org/content/dam/livewell/topics/aging/roadmap/Aging%20Roadmap%20Board%20Letter %20and%20Attachment%20A.pdf. Ibid. 24 “Senior Centers: What We Have Now and What We Need,” San Diego Seniors Community Foundation, Summer 2019, , https://sdscf.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/San-Diego-Senior-Center-Assessment-2019.pdf. 34

The EPC engages an extensive list of stakeholders in routine collaboration to address the issue of elder abuse in San Diego County; however, the County’s commitment to coordinating a response to elder abuse has not extended to include CBSC managements’ attendance at scheduled meetings of both EPC and AIS. Fact: California Welfare & Institutions Code Section 15630 establishes legal responsibility for mandated reporting as well as penalties for failure to report. Fact: Mandated reporter training is accessible for agency use on both State and San Diego County websites or through Aging & Independence Service Outreach and Education Teams.

F02

Presentations to small select groups do not achieve the expanding of public awareness of the signs of elder abuse and how to report suspected elder abuse to the extent as outlined in the “Aging Roadmap.” Fact: While AIS has begun to increase public awareness of signs of elder abuse and how to report suspected elder abuse and needs, a larger audience could be reached through the use of media.

Regardless of whether CBSC staff qualify as mandated reporters, since the staff of CBSCs interact on a regular basis with their senior clientele, receiving mandated reporter training would be beneficial for them to recognize signs of elder abuse and how to report suspected elder abuse. Fact: CBSCs are regularly used by seniors and are a critical point for addressing elder abuse.

F03

Forms of media such as billboard signage, social media, and TV and radio public service announcements would provide opportunities for expanding public awareness of signs of elder abuse and how to report suspected elder abuse. Fact: Between AIS, APS, the San Diego County District Attorney’s Elder Abuse Unit, and eight additional county-wide law enforcement agencies, there are multiple phone numbers for reporting elder abuse.

Since CBSCs are regularly used by seniors, there exists an opportunity for educating their clientele and the local community about the types of elder abuse and how to report suspected elder abuse. Fact: An update given to the San Diego County Board of Supervisors by the Health & Human Services Agency stated: “The Age Well Health & Community Support Team envisions communities that offer accessible health and community services, technology to support aging in place, and village-like support systems”. Fact: “Technology Training and COVID-19” and “Technology to Support Aging in Place” were included in the update to the Board of Supervisors, both acknowledging the technology divide among senior adults and the resulting inability for senior adults to access relevant services.

F04

Multiple phone numbers for reporting suspected elder abuse could cause confusion and frustration for the public and subsequently cause failure to report. Community-Based Senior Centers (CBSC) Fact: The San Diego County Elder and Dependent Abuse Blueprint was unveiled in 2018 with a commitment to coordinate a community response to elder abuse through communication, collaboration, cooperation, and training. Fact: The Elder Protection Council (EPC) was subsequently created and designed to bring together law enforcement, health and aging officials, County prosecutors, and other community agencies to work collaboratively in addressing and reducing incidence of elder abuse. Fact: The EPC meets quarterly or tri-annually with approximately 80-100 participants from various sectors including the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office, law enforcement, licensing agencies, FBI, community partners, hospitals, social workers, and care agencies to build relationships between parties, learn what is being done, and coordinate efforts to reach their mission. Fact: AIS has no legal obligation or authority over CBSCs and consequently provides no oversight of CBSCs.

Since CBSCs are routinely used by seniors, an opportunity exists to create on-site hubs of technology access along with training for those needing assistance to access support for safe, healthy, and independent living. Fact: CBSCs face the challenge of providing maximum services to their clientele on a minimal budget dependent on their individual city’s general funds, grants, and membership or activity fees.

CBSC’s budgetary constraints hinder hiring adequate qualified staff, developing relevant programs, and creating dedicated space with computer workstations for senior clientele access.

Recommendations 14

22-1
Page 10

Focus presentations on all areas of elder abuse, not just the recent focus on
22-2
Page 10

Provide information regarding signs of elder abuse and how to report
22-3
Page 11

Expand public awareness of signs of elder abuse and how to report suspected
22-4
Page 11

Seek additional funding (for example, grants and reallocating a portion of
22-5
Page 11

Recognize World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (June 15) as an annual
22-6
Page 11

Advertise the San Diego County Adult Protective Services hotline number in all
22-7
Page 11

Focus presentations on all areas of elder abuse, not just the recent focus on
22-8
Page 11

Provide information regarding signs of elder abuse and how to report
22-9
Page 11

Establish and coordinate a consortium comprised of CBSC management to
22-10
Page 11

Advocate for mandated reporter training of CBSC staff.
22-11
Page 11

Create and provide a digital presentation regarding all-inclusive areas of elder
22-12
Page 12

Work with CBSCs to secure funding for the creation of on-site hubs of
22-13
Page 12

Work with CBSCs to secure funding for hiring adequate, qualified staff and
22-14
Page 12

Include representation from CBSCs on the Elder Protection Council to keep

Agency Responses 7

Government agencies' official responses to this report's findings and recommendations. Click on a response to see the structured breakdown.

City of San Diego

December 30, 2022 • 6 pages • 3 responses • Score: +1 (+2, 0, -1) View Details ▾

PDF

3 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Disagree Score: -1

The City of San Diego Public Utilities Department disagrees with the Grand Jury's finding. Outreach for the Pure Water program began in the early 2010s and has continued to grow and garner public support since. As of 2022, 18,700 people have toured the Pure Water Demonstration Facility in person and 12,700 people have viewed the virtual tour which was created in response to facility tour restrictions related to the COVID- 19 pandemic. Additional metrics on the Pure Water Program's public outreach efforts as of 2021 include: presentations to more than 19,864 community members, 949 community pre...

Response: Agree Score: +1

The City of San Diego Public Utilities Department agrees with the Grand Jury's finding. Additionally, it should be noted that in March 2018, the California State Water Resources Control Board adopted regulations for Surface Water Augmentation under Indirect Potable Reuse (IPR). These regulations are the ones that govern the first phase of the City's Pure Water program with release of purified water to Miramar Reservoir. The City provided demonstration facility data and worked closely with the Water Board as the Board developed the Surface Water Augmentation regulations and is continuing the sa...

Response: Agree Score: +1

The City of San Diego Public Utilities Department agrees with the Grand Jury's finding. RESPONSE TO RECOMMENDATIONS:

City of San Diego

December 30, 2022 • 5 pages • 5 responses • Score: +2 (+3, 1, -1) View Details ▾

PDF

5 responses to findings and recommendations

Response: Agree Score: +1

The City of San Diego agrees with the Grand Jury's finding. The City has received multiple notifications that holdover leases are a concern and this number has increased. The Department of Real Estate Assets and Airport Management (Department) has current vacancies and is in the process of filling the vacant positions to assist in decreasing the number of holdovers.

Response: Disagree Score: -1

The City of San Diego disagrees with the Grand Jury's finding. The Department has a standard process for all refunds, including the return of deposits generated through a Request for Proposal (RFP). This process is initiated once the selection process is completed and an award has been made. The property agent submits a Request for Payments/Refund to the Senior Account Clerk, who generates an Accounts Receivables Refund Request Form that is routed for signature approval to the Deputy Director. This form is then sent to the Treasurer for check issuance. When refunding a deposit collected under ...

Response: Agree Score: +1

The City of San Diego agrees with the Grand Jury's finding. Insurance requirements are updated at the time a lease is renewed; therefore, keeping a lease on holdover could be a concern for other properties in holdover.

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

The City of San Diego disagrees in part with the Grand Jury's finding. Page 1 of 4 It is the Department's policy that inspections are conducted as per the terms of the agreement or no less than every three years. The Department's lease administration system sends property agents reminders to conduct annual inspections. The property agent utilizes an inspection form to record observations; any deficiencies are communicated to the lessee via a letter or email. This communication to the lessee identifies the responsible party. However, in recent years, due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, and st...

CBSC’s budgetary constraints hinder hiring adequate qualified staff, developing relevant programs, and creating dedicated space with computer workstations for senior clientele access.

Response: Agree Score: +1

The City of San Diego agrees with the Grand Jury's finding. Council Policy 700-10 has not been updated; however, preliminary draft of this and two related policies (700-12 and 700-32) are under internal review and will be brought forward for Council action in 2023.

City of San Diego

November 23, 2022 • 10 pages • 4 responses • Score: +1 (+2, 1, -1) View Details ▾

PDF

4 responses to findings and recommendations

F01

Response: Agree Score: +1

The Mayor and City Council agree with the Grand Jury's finding. Prior to September of 2020, cameras, or optical sensors, within Smart Streetlights were used to enhance public safety. These smart sensors were not utilized to prevent crimes as they occurred in real-time. Rather, evidence recorded by this technology was later used in conducting investigations, arrests, and successful prosecutions of suspects involved in violent crimes. Despite this beneficial use, legitimate privacy concerns exist, and use of surveillance technologies should be guided by appropriate protocols and oversight.

F02

Response: Agree Score: +1

, the purpose and duties of the PAB primarily relate to the protection of privacy rights, rather than evaluating the public safety or other merits of surveillance technology. It is the City Council that will be responsible for considering the recommendations of the PAB concerning any privacy issues and weighing them against the public safety benefits of a particular surveillance technology, as advocated by the City Department seeking the use of that technology. With that said, the City of San Diego agrees that culturally diverse representation would be a positive attribute of a PAB; and per Sa...

F03

Response: Disagree Partially Score: 0

, crime rates have not dramatically increased compared to historical levels. The need for accelerated action based on the premise that exigent circumstances have arisen is not supported by current crime rates. Finding 05: The City of San Diego's continual annual loan repayments of $2.3 million for equipment that is still in the possession of the City but no longer in use, is fiscally irresponsible. Response: The Mayor and City Council disagree with the Grand Jury's finding. The Smart Streetlights were originally part of a multipurpose program that was intended to make the City one of the earli...

F04

Response: Disagree Score: -1

The Mayor and City Council disagree with the Grand Jury's finding. As stated in the response to

County of San Diego

September 13, 2022 • 18 pages • 3 responses • Score: -1 (+1, 0, -2) View Details ▾

PDF

3 responses to findings and recommendations

F01

Response: Disagree Score: -1

The County of San Diego Chief Administrative Officer disagrees with this finding. In Fiscal Year 2021-22, Aging & Independence Services (AIS) reached nearly ten times as many people with a general overview presentation on elder abuse than with a presentation that focused specifically on financial abuse and scams. While in-person opportunities were still limited during this time and organizations made fewer training requests, AIS provided 31 elder abuse overview presentations that reached 1,007 individuals (692 mandated reporters and 315 older adults/caregivers) while 10 presentations were focu...

F03

Response: Agree Score: +1

The County of San Diego Chief Administrative Officer agrees with this finding. Aging & Independence Services (AIS) has engaged in media campaigns in the past that focus on elder abuse and utilizes social media and other types of messaging. In recent years, communications strategies surrounding elder abuse have changed. The National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), in conjunction with the Framework Institute, encourages a reimagined dialog surrounding elder abuse that effectively engages audiences by focusing on prevention and community building strategies and avoids unproductive messaging. AIS l...

F04

Response: Disagree Score: -1

The County of San Diego Chief Administrative Officer disagrees with this finding. Aging & Independence Services (AIS) promotes a "no wrong door" approach to reporting elder abuse. This means that mechanisms are in place for a caller's elder abuse report to make it to Adult Protective Services (APS) even if they call a local law enforcement number or a statewide elder abuse reporting number rather than the AIS Call Center (e.g., a report would be made by a law enforcement entity, or a caller to the statewide number would be directly connected to the AIS Call Center). The primary phone number fo...

County of San Diego District Attorney

June 08, 2023 • 5 pages • 8 responses • Score: +4 (+5, 1, -1) View Details ▾

PDF

8 responses to findings and recommendations

F01

Response: Disagree Score: -1

The District Attorney prioritizes the protection of elders and dependent adults and appreciates the Grand Jury's attention to this important issue. Recently, the District Attorney developed and launched the innovative Elder Justice Task Force bringing together local, state, and federal partner agencies to combat large-scale financial elder scams preying on our elder citizens. While this implementation brought added but necessary attention to elder scams and financial elder abuse, the District Attorney's Elder Abuse Unit continued to concurrently concentrate on all types of elder abuse in its c...

Response: Agree Score: +1

The District Attorney agrees with this finding insofar as it relates to CBSC managements' direct attendance at EPC meetings. However, the District Attorney's Elder Abuse Unit and EPC are engaged directly and indirectly with CBSCs. The EPC highlighted a significant community partner - The San Diego Seniors Community Foundation (SDSCF) - at a prior EPC meeting and invited them to present to the entire EPC group. One of SDSCF's core focus areas is connecting and revitalizing all CBSCs in San Diego County (https://sdscf.org/about/focus-areas/). Additionally, the District Attorney's Elder Abuse Uni...

F02

Response: Agree Score: +1

: Presentations to small select groups do not achieve the expanding of public awareness of the signs of elder abuse and how to report suspected elder abuse to the extent as outlined in the "Aging Roadmap." Response: The District Attorney agrees with this finding. Accordingly, the District Attorney's Elder Abuse Unit continually performs community outreach by providing presentations about the signs of elder abuse and how to prevent and report suspected elder abuse at various locations throughout the County to public groups of all sizes, including continuing online presentations to reach a great...

F03

Response: Agree Score: +1

The District Attorney agrees with this finding and includes robust information about signs of elder abuse and how to report suspected elder abuse on its public website and social media platforms. The District Attorney will also discuss with Adult Protective Services and Health and Human Services Agency collaborating on a large-scale educational media campaign to expand public awareness of elder abuse prevention and reporting.

Response: Agree Score: +1

The District Attorney agrees with this finding. Accordingly, the District Attorney's Elder Abuse Unit continually performs community outreach by providing presentations about the signs of elder abuse and how to prevent and report suspected elder abuse at various locations throughout the County to public groups of all sizes, including presentations to local CBSCs. <b>RECOMMENDATIONS:</b>

F04

Response: Agree Score: +1

The District Attorney agrees with this finding. Accordingly, the District Attorney's Office public website emphasizes that the best phone number to report suspected elder abuse is the Adult Protective Services 24/7 hotline while also providing and explaining alternative reporting possibilities depending on what type of abuse is occurring and where the abuse is occurring such as in a facility licensed by the State of California.

22-7

Focus presentations on all areas of elder abuse, not just the recent focus on

Response: Unknown

Score: 0

This recommendation need not be implemented because the District Attorney's Elder Abuse Unit already provides presentations focused on all areas of elder abuse. The District Attorney's Elder Abuse Unit has recently been emphasizing its launch of the first Elder Justice Task Force in the country in partnership with several local, state, and federal agencies, to combat largescale elder scams preying on our elder citizens. However, the District Attorney's Elder Abuse Unit has continued its community outreach prevention efforts and prosecution for all types of elder abuse, including physical, negl...

22-8

Provide information regarding signs of elder abuse and how to report

Response: Implemented

Score: 0

This recommendation has been implemented in part. The District Attorney currently provides information regarding signs of elder abuse and how to report suspected elder abuse on a wide scale to the public through its public website and through its opening and operation of One Safe Place, the North County Family Justice Center. The District Attorney commits to continued partnerships with Adult Protective Services and Health and Human Services Agency and to discussing a large-scale collaborative educational campaign in addition to the prevention work underway in order to expand public awareness o...

San Diego County Sheriff Office

July 29, 2022 • 4 pages • 5 responses • Score: +5 (+5, 0, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

5 responses to findings and recommendations

F01

Response: Agree Score: +1

The San Diego County Sherifrs Department agrees with the finding. The San Diego County Sheriffs Department understands the language and requirements of CVC 40200.3. Grand Jury

F02

Response: Agree Score: +1

The Sherifrs Department agrees with the finding. Our current parking citations are still in circulation. The San Diego County Sheriffs Department is taking the proper steps to ensure we comply with both CVC 40220 and the AB 3277 amendment. The website on the back of those citations has been redirected to the new information pertaining to the AB 3277 amendment. Grand Jury

F03

Response: Agree Score: +1

The San Diego County Sherifrs Department agrees with the finding. The Sheriffs Department is currently revising all county parking citation notices. The department will be in complete compliance once we receive the new parking citation notices. Grand Jury

F04

Response: Agree Score: +1

The San Diego County Sherifrs Department agrees with the finding. The Sheriffs Department has already changed the website to comply with AB 3277 and AB 503. Grand Jury

Response: Agree Score: +1

San Diego County Sheriff Office

July 28, 2022 • 4 pages • 2 responses • Score: +2 (+2, 0, 0) View Details ▾

PDF

2 responses to findings and recommendations

F01

Response: Agree Score: +1

The San Diego County Sheriff's Department agrees with this finding. I lowever. as it relates specifically to the San Diego County Sherifrs Department, the Department has met all SB22 requirements. Unfortunately. due to this mandate. turnaround times of other case types arc impacted as resources arc prioritized to ensure all SAKs are tested within 120 days from receipt by the Crime Lab. SBn. while instituting a 120-day requirement. did not come with additional funding to help accomplish this mandate. Additionally. the Crime Lab lost 3 full-time Criminalist positions originally allocated in D 'A...

F02

Response: Agree Score: +1

The San Diego County Sherifrs Department agrees \vith this finding. The Crime Lab took several steps to implement the mandates under SB 22 in January of 2020 to ensure legislative compliance and the least impact on criminal justice stakeholders. Recently. the Crime Lab has purchased automated analysis platforms to improve case workflmvs. increase analytical capacity. and reduce staff in-laboratory time. The Crime Lab expects to have these improvements in place by mid-to-late 2023. all were funded on federal grant funds. It is important to note that this systematic upgrade is ongoing. and all p...