On April 29, Sen. Ben Hueso joined forces with senior advocate agencies for a virtual Town Hall to discuss senior resources, protecting and supporting seniors and caregivers, current fraud and scam schemes and issues facing the senior community during the COVID-19 crisis in San Diego and Imperial counties. Hueso said that the situations with many of his constituents are dire, trying and many families are suffering.
“We’ve been doing everything that we can in being responsive,” said Hueso. “We want to encourage people to keep calling us so that we can do everything we can to help them. Currently, from what we’ve heard is that our senior population are the most vulnerable under this pandemic. They have suffered so many ways it’s a problem. While there are so many people out there helping, there are many people out there taking advantage in making profit off of people, oftentimes the most vulnerable.”
San Diego County Adult Protective Services (APS) Supervisor Carlos Morales provides support to APS investigators working in the community responding to investigations about abuse and neglect of the senior community. He represented the Aging and Independent Services (AIS) in San Diego County and said the agency had to adapt to COVID-19 and said that all of services are available for seniors and caregivers. “We are constantly updating our website and we have access to all kinds of food services,” said Morales. “We are working with community partners so home delivered meals are delivered in a timely fashion throughout San Diego County.”
San Diego Deputy District Attorney Scott Pirrello heads the Elder Abuse Prosecution Unit at the San Diego County District Attorney’s Office. “We have some concerns during these unprecedented times,” said Pirrello. “The number one factor in all elder abuse situations is isolation, under normal conditions … we obviously have increased risk factors. This is a call to arms to everyone in the community to be extra vigilant.”
Senior Resources:
www.aging.sandiegocounty.gov
• Call Center operates 24/7: 1-800-339-4661
• Referrals for in home support services
• Care Management Program
• Reporting older adult abuse and neglect (including fraud and scams)
• Resources for food, prescription medications and needs for emotional support
• Legal services
• Dial 2-1-1 San Diego (www.211sandiego.org)
• Adult Protective Services: 1-800-339-4662 if you suspect any type of elder abuse [physical, emotional, financial]
• The most common abuse of an elder is by a family member (more than 60% of cases)
• Beware of scammers. Do not give your information or pay money to anyone that calls you. Most common scams now are targeting stimulus checks, calls for COVID-19 vaccinations/test kits and fake online sellers.
Contact Sen. Ben Hueso: Chula Vista Office: 1 (619) 409-7690; Capitol Office: 1 (916) 654-4040.
