AgdaPkt 2003-04-28 - Laserfiche WebLink

Browse Search

REPORT 9-0-1 To the Honorable Mayor and City Council From Council Member Ruskin April 28, 2003 Subject Proposed resolution encouraging the prevention of abuse, neglect and abandonment of senior citizens within Redwood City Recommendation Approve a resolution encouraging the prevention of abuse, neglect and abandonment of senior citizens within Redwood City. Background It is generally agreed by healthcare authorities that senior citizens at the greatest risk of abuse, neglect, or abandonment by their caretakers may suffer physical impairments and other poor health while in a dependent and vulnerable position. Preventing such abuse or neglect is of the utmost importance to our community. Senior citizens deserve to live free of elder abuse or the threat of it and the City has a responsibility to take reasonable steps to prevent elder abuse or investigate complaints of elder abuse. Abuse in California is widespread and often detected only when it is too late. The resolution I am proposing will enable the City to increase and augment protection of elders from abuse in a cost effective way at a time when budget cuts at the State and County level will reduce such protections. It will do this by taking steps to better prevent and detect elder abuse in Redwood City skilled nursing homes and Redwood City senior care facilities in the following two ways: Redwood City Police will make walk- through visits at each Redwood City Skilled Nursing Home facility to help ensure that things are in order and to look for any indications of elder abuse. Visits by Redwood City Police Officers on their regular beat will be made on a regular basis, preferably once a month, but no less than quarterly. Upon finding indications of elder abuse, Police will take appropriate action as prescribed by law. These visits will be good for the residents and for the nursing home operators, helping to promote a safe environment.