Walk in Park addresses elder abuse and much more

Seniors, caregivers and others are stretching their legs and expanding their minds this morning in the grassy park at Downey Avenue and I street in downtown Modesto, adjacent to the Ralston Tower senior apartments. The event continues until noon and includes free lunch and remarks by Stanislaus County District Attorney Birgit Fladager, Modesto Chief of Police Galen Carroll and others.

The Walk in the Park event is “trying something new this year to promote more elder abuse information, said Monica Ramos, program director for Stanislaus senior services with the Diocese of Stockton’s Catholic Charities.

Each of the agencies on hand has a question about elder abuse to pose to visitors. For example, victim advocate Lillian Rogers, staffing the Stanislaus County District Attorney’s Office Victim Services Program booth, said she’ll ask them what role the program plays. She doesn’t really expect people to know the answer, but once she educates them, she’ll stamp their “passport.” Attendees who get enough passport stamps are entered into prize drawings.

The event is being held in conjunction with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, but information tables cover a broad range of topics, from nutrition to essential resources that can help older residents to safely maintain their independence.

Among the agencies and organizations on hand are the Senior Law Project, Adult Protective Services, the Stanislaus Family Justice Center, Catholic Charities’ Nutrition Assistance Services, the unclaimed-property division of the California State Controller’s Office and the Healthy Aging Association.

The event is presented by the Stanislaus Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance, a countywide collaborative of agencies that serve elders and dependent adults. Member agencies represent law enforcement, emergency services and social services.

This story was originally published June 11, 2015 at 10:21 AM with the headline "Walk in Park addresses elder abuse and much more."