Scotts Valley proclaims June 2025 Elder Abuse Awareness Month; county protective services urges reporting

Scotts Valley declared June 2025 as Elder Abuse Awareness Month and heard county adult protective services staff outline local volume and outreach needs to combat elder abuse, neglect and self-neglect.

Mayor Tim framed the proclamation by noting Scotts Valley's relatively high share of older residents and the need to address elder abuse and neglect. "One of the big issues we have, not just in our community, but it's a nationwide issue, is elder abuse," the mayor said while introducing Whitney from Adult Protective Services.

Whitney, speaking on behalf of Santa Cruz County Adult Protective Services, said the county's intake team receives over 300 contacts per month for suspected elder abuse or neglect and estimates that each reported case likely represents many more unreported incidents. "For every single report of abuse or neglect that we receive, it's estimated that there are another 24 reports that are never known, never shared, never reported, never investigated," Whitney said, urging residents to notify police or the senior center if they suspect abuse.

The mayor cited local demographic numbers included with the proclamation: nearly 4,000 residents age 60 or older in Scotts Valley today and a projection that by 2030 roughly 38% of the city's population will be 60 or older. Council members and staff described partnerships among the senior center, area agency on aging, police and county resources to prevent abuse, protect victims and prosecute offenders.

No formal vote was recorded; the proclamation was presented during the ceremonial portion of the meeting and county staff thanked the city for the recognition.