DA Office seeks dedicated elder abuse prosecutor amid rising senior population in SLO County

By Staff Report · Mon Jun 01 2026

SAN LUIS OBISPO COUNTY — San Luis Obispo County District Attorney Dan Dow is renewing a request for funding to establish a dedicated Deputy District Attorney focused on elder abuse cases, citing a growing senior population and increasing reports of exploitation and neglect.

According to data cited from the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (2024), residents age 65 and older now number more than 65,000 in San Luis Obispo County — about 23.3% of the population. Officials said this marks a significant increase over the past decade and represents the highest proportion of older adults recorded locally.

The District Attorney’s Office reported reviewing 284 elder abuse-related cases in 2023, up nearly 20% from 2015, while Adult Protective Services received 1,679 reports of suspected elder abuse in 2022. Officials also noted that national studies suggest elder abuse is significantly underreported.

The proposal calls for a vertically assigned prosecutor who would handle cases from filing through resolution, a model already used in the county for domestic violence, sexual assault, and gang-related prosecutions.

Supporters of the proposal say such specialization improves consistency in outcomes and reduces trauma for vulnerable victims.

In addition to prosecution duties, the role would coordinate training for law enforcement, lead outreach efforts to senior organizations, and support interagency response efforts to elder abuse cases.

Dan Dow has requested the position in previous budget cycles, arguing it is needed to address the growing caseload and associated public safety and financial impacts affecting older residents.

County officials will consider funding priorities during upcoming budget discussions.