Kings County Observes Elder Abuse Awareness Month

Volunteers from Kings County agencies were busy in June with projects to mark Elder Abuse Awareness Month.

Pinwheel gardens were planted throughout Kings County. Pinwheels and banners were placed on display at the Hanford Library, Stratford Library, Stratford Fire Department, and Fleet and Family Services.

"We also have banners and pinwheel gardens at City of Avenal, Hacienda Post Acute, Corcoran City Park, Kings County Commission on Aging and Kings County Human Services Agency," said Julia Patino, Kings County victim witness coordinator.

Patino also listed locations at the Kings County District Attorney's Office, Kings County District Attorney Victim Witness Office and locations in Corcoran.

"Pinwheel gardens are just the beginning of the activities here in Kings County," she said.

The Kings County District Attorney's Office, Kings County Commission on Aging, Kings County Human Services Agency, Adult Protective Services, Kings Community Action Organization and Kings County Probation Department have teamed up to "Adopt a Senior."

Each week in June, the committee designated a senior in the community as the "adoptee," and worked together to assist the senior.

"Our first 'adoptee' we will call Ms. M," said Patino. "Ms. M needed a dried-up dead bush removed from the front of her home. It truly was a fire hazard. Our Assistant Chief of Investigations Charlie Flores went to the home to assess the need. He realized that we could remove the bush but also do several other chores around the home. We reached out to Richards Tree Service and they donated their time and assisted us with trimming a large tree on the property as well.

"We also repaired a fence and disposed of yard debris – all because Ms. M had a bush that she needed removed."

Posters with statistics and drawings were put on display at the Hanford Mall on June 16.

Community members were asked to draw or paint pictures of what the term "elder" meant to them. The "elder" could be a neighbor, grandparent, friend or anyone else they cared about.