WHEREAS, The population of Californians over 60 years of age is projected to increase by approximately 166 percent during the period from 2010 to 2060, inclusive, with more than one-half of the counties experiencing a 100-percent increase in this age group; and

WHEREAS, Research by the National Institute of Justice found that an estimated 10 percent of older adults over 60 years of age, more than 7,000,000 Americans, reported experiencing at least one form of mistreatment in the past year, including emotional, physical, nutritional, or sexual mistreatment or neglect; and

WHEREAS, It is estimated that only one in 24 incidents of elder abuse are reported and fewer than 15 percent of those harmed access formal support services each year; and

WHEREAS, Many victims of abuse fail to report out of fear of losing relationships with those harming them, loss of cognitive ability, fear of retaliation, shame that someone they trust mistreated them, or distrust of the police and agencies charged with providing assistance; and

WHEREAS, Elder and disability abuse may be physical, emotional, psychological, sexual, or financial in nature, and such abuse knows no boundaries with respect to gender, race, culture, religion, geographic location, or the economic, educational, or social status of the victim; and

WHEREAS, Financial abuse ranked first among the types of abuse reported to adult protective services during 2024–25, with nearly 100,000 reports received; and

WHEREAS, According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s Internet Crime Complaint Center, in 2025, over 201,000 victims 60 years of age and older reported scam-related losses totaling more than $7.7 billion, a 60-percent increase from 2024; and

WHEREAS, Barriers to accessing help include cognitive and communication impairments, limited literacy, lack of cultural and linguistically appropriate services, lack of awareness of, resources and advocacy, and shame. Additionally, older adults may doubt their ability to protect themselves, self-advocate, report abuse when it occurs, or testify against perpetrators. Additional concerns have been recognized with the increased use of artificial intelligence. Scammers are creating more complex and sophisticated schemes, including synthetic identity creation and digital account opening fraud, according to a report from the Federal Trade Commission; and

WHEREAS, Factors that place older Californians at risk for abuse include cognitive and physical decline, dementia, isolation, loneliness, and limited access to preventive services, such as estate planning, daily money management, affordable supported housing, and assistance with decisionmaking; and

WHEREAS, One in every nine individuals over 65 years of age is living with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia, and approximately 42 percent of the older adult population experience mild cognitive impairment, which is estimated to rise to 1,000,000 by year 2060. As many as one in two people with dementia may experience some form of abuse; and

WHEREAS, Subtle indicators that abuse may be occurring include bruises or pressure marks, unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, changes in alertness and mood, unusual depression, sudden changes in financial circumstances, strained or tense relationships, and frequent arguments, including sudden combativeness; and

WHEREAS, Recognizing these warning signs is a critical step toward the prevention of elder and disability abuse; and

WHEREAS, Elders who experience abuse or mistreatment face a greater likelihood of hospitalization, institutionalization, and increased reliance on social services systems; and

WHEREAS, Elder and disability abuse victims have a mortality rate up to three times that of the general older adult population and are significantly more likely to die a premature death; and

WHEREAS, All older adults, including those with disabilities, have the right to live safely in the least restrictive environment, whether in their homes or in health care facilities, and to enjoy an optimum quality of life while being protected from all forms of abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and

WHEREAS, Since 2019, California has collected comprehensive data on abuse cases perpetrated on older adults and adults with disabilities, including reports and investigations. Continued improvement in data collection and analysis strengthens the state’s ability to track trends, make informed policy decisions, enhance protections, and equip law enforcement partners with the tools necessary to secure justice; and

WHEREAS, Private citizens and public agencies must continue working collaboratively to combat crime and violence against older adults and adults with disabilities by addressing social isolation, expanding and resourcing home- and community-based long-term services and supports, strengthening law enforcement response, increasing public awareness, supporting early intervention, and enhancing social service programs; and

WHEREAS, Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month in California aligns with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, first established in 2006 and observed annually on June 15, to promote a better understanding of the cultural, social, economic, and demographic issues associated with elder abuse globally; and

WHEREAS, On September 14, 2024, Governor Gavin Newsom signed Assembly Bill 1906, authored by Assembly Member Mike Gipson, which requires the California Law Revision Commission to submit a study to the Legislature on how to remove the outdated terms “dependent adult” and “dependent person” from California law; and

WHEREAS, The term “dependent adult” is an antiquated pejorative that does not reflect the independence and value that adults with disabilities possess. Usage of the term should be avoided and replaced with the term “adults with disabilities” to accurately reflect this fact; and

WHEREAS, On June 10, 2019, Governor Gavin Newsom issued Executive Order No. N-14-19, calling for the development of a 10-year Master Plan for Aging to serve as a blueprint for state government, local government, the private sector, and philanthropy to prepare for demographic changes and advance California’s leadership in aging, disability, and equity; and

WHEREAS, Goal three of the Master Plan for Aging, “Inclusion and Equity, Not Isolation,” calls for lifelong opportunities for older Californians and protection against isolation, discrimination, abuse, neglect, and exploitation; and

WHEREAS, All Californians are strongly encouraged to report suspected older adult or adult with a disability abuse to their local adult protective services agency, local long-term care ombudsman program, law enforcement agency, or emergency services provider; now, therefore, be it