Elder Abuse Reporting

In their 2022 report, Silver Tsunami Warning: Safeguarding Our Seniors, the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury recommended “…all law enforcement agencies add a prominent elder abuse reporting link and phone number to APS and other appropriate agencies on their websites…”  

 In their report the Civil Grand Jury wrote, “What is elder abuse?  Elder abuse is not a single act but a category of violations or oversights that ultimately cause physical, emotional, or financial injury.  It is both a criminal violation and a civil matter.  Since many seniors live isolated and alone, it is not easy to see and investigate.  So how do you recognize elder abuse?  It is the intentional act or failure to act by a caregiver or another person in a relationship involving an expectation of trust that causes or creates a risk of harm to a senior.  The California Penal Code 368 PC defines a senior as 65 or older.”

 Elder abuse occurring within the City of Arcata can be reported by calling 9-1-1 if an emergency exists or by calling Arcata Police Dispatch at (707) 822-2424.  APS, or Adult Protective Services, and other appropriate agency phone numbers are as follows:

Humboldt County Adult Protective Services                             (707) 476-2100 or (866) 527-8614

211 Humboldt                                                                           2-1-1

Area One Agency on Aging                                                      (707) 442-3763

Humboldt Senior Resource Center                                          (707) 443-9747

Providence Community Resource Centers-Blue Lake             (707) 668-5239

Redwood Coast Village                                                            (707) 798-6311

All agency phone numbers listed are as reported within the Humboldt County Civil Grand Jury report.