9631. (Amended (as added by Stats. 1996, Ch. 1097) by Stats. 1997, Ch. 216, Sec. 6.)

(a) The department shall establish an Aging Information and Education Fund, from funds made available pursuant to the annual Budget Act, to implement public awareness of various issues, including at least the following areas:

(1) Medication management—to call attention to the large percentage of older individuals admitted to hospitals solely due to the mismanagement of prescribed and over-the-counter drugs, the need for proper and timely use of medications, and the role of the attending physicians in prescribing medications and their interactive potential for harm.

(2) Elder abuse prevention—to work in conjunction with state and local law enforcement entities to bring focus to the need to protect older individuals from physical, emotional, and fiduciary abuse, so that they may continue to live with peace of mind about their safety.

(3) Toll-free line for linkage to local service networks—to develop and make the public aware of a single statewide toll-free telephone number for access to local information about services available to the community for older individuals and persons with functional impairments.

(b) The sources of funding that may be used for this purpose include any nonprofit foundation, funds privately donated by individuals, and one-time-only funds designated for state operations. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize any expenditures that are not otherwise allowable by the originating source of the funding.