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FAIRFILED — Solano County Supervisor Monica Brown said the county’s efforts to contact senior residents during the Covid-19 pandemic have shown just how isolated many of those people are now and have been.

Isolation, she said, makes the population vulnerable to physical, financial and other kinds of elderly abuse.

“And they are extremely vulnerable during this pandemic,” said Angel Aguilar, director of the Family Justice Center.

District Attorney Krishna Abrams emphasized the need to be aware of seniors who could be victimized and “if we see something, we need to say something.”

The Board of Supervisors on Tuesday proclaimed June as Elder and Dependent Adult Abuse Awareness Month and June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day in Solano County.

“Today our population lives longer, so we are presented with an opportunity to think about our collective needs and future as a nation and recognize that it is up to all of us to ensure that proper social structures exist so people can retain community and societal connections, to reduce the likelihood of abuse,” the resolution states.

“Ageism and social isolation are major causes of elder abuse in the United States; and . . . preventing abuse of older adults through maintaining and improving social supports like senior centers, human services and transportation will allow everyone to continue to live as independently as possible and contribute to the life and vibrancy of our communities.”

The supervisors also adopted a resolution recognizing June as National Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month and June 20 as the “Longest Day” in Solano County.

“Roughly 5.8 million Americans live with Alzheimer’s disease, a number that could grow to 14 million Americans by the year 2050, according to the Alzheimer’s Association,” the resolution states.

“In California, more than 600,000 residents live with Alzheimer’s disease or a related dementia; and . . . the current projected number of Californians age 65 or older living with Alzheimer’s disease is more than 650,000,” the resolution states. “In Solano County, more than 6,900 residents are living with Alzheimer’s and an estimated 21,000 family caregivers are providing care for a loved one with Alzheimer’s in Solano County.”

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