From Niesha Lofing:
Concerned about protecting yourself or an elderly family member from crime? The Yolo County District Attorney's Elder Protection Unit can help.
The District Attorney's staff will be holding presentations on how to guard older adults from crime and abuse at various venues this month, states a news release from the Yolo County District Attorney Jeff Reisig's office.
The presentations is in recognition of May being Older Americans Month.
Older adults are vulnerable to financial abuse and physical, sexual and emotional abuse, the release states.
Victims of elder and dependant adult abuse crimes span the spectrum of race, religion, gender and socio-economic status. Given the projected increase of the elderly population in Yolo County - between 1990 and 2020, the population of those ages 60 and older is expected to rise nearly 100 percent, and those 85 and older are expected to increase nearly 200 percent - education of how to protect older adults is important, the release states.
Dave Edwards, an enforcement officer with the DA's elder protection unit, said older adults in particular are targets for identity theft and financial type crime.
"One (reason) is that they have a nest egg that they've accumulated over many years," he said. "Crooks all over know this and with California having more people over the age of 65 than any other state, we're a real target."
More details about the events:
The presentations will inform participants on various ways to protect oneself, as well as common scams used and prevention methods, he said.
"Awareness really goes a long way in preventing this type of fraud," Edwards said.
The Elder Protection Unit will hold the following events (exact times to be announced):
May 20 - Identity theft awareness presentation and video, Lincoln Gardens Senior Apartments, 836 W. Lincoln Ave., Woodland, during the complex's potluck.
May 30 - Fraud awareness presentation, Cross Court Athletic Club, 433 W. Cross Street, Woodland, during their senior breakfast club.
May 30 - West Sacramento Senior Center, 664 Cummins Way, West Sacramento, during the center's "Celebration of Older Americans."
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