NCEA Newfeed 5-2-13

NCEA Newsfeed – Thursday, May 2, 2013 – 44 days until World Elder Abuse Awareness Day!

The newsfeed includes articles and stories related to abuse of elders and adults with disabilities.  Articles related to elders appear in the top half of the newsfeed.  Articles related to abuse of adults with disabilities appear towards the bottom.  To subscribe to the NCEA listserv, please send an email with your name, occupation, your organization/agency name, city and state, and a statement about your professional interest or expertise in elder abuse to NCEA@UCI.edu.  Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!

 

Learn what the Administration on Aging is planning for the Year of Elder Abuse Prevention!

http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/Elder_Rights/YEAP/index.aspx

  

Did you know? A calendar of upcoming elder abuse and neglect events and funding opportunities can be found at the bottom of the newsfeed.

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ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED

 

1.         CALIFORNIA (Sacramento), Mercury News, April 30, 2013
Bill to protect dependent adults in California from excessive fees wins unanimous approval in the state Senate
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_23134630/bill-protect-dependent-adults-california-from-excessive-fees
A bill inspired by a disabled San Jose man whose court-appointed trustee and team of lawyers nearly gutted his estate with their high fees passed the Senate floor unanimously Monday. If SB 156 passes the Assembly and is signed by the governor, it would protect incapacitated adults like Danny Reed, 38, who was charged more than $108,000 for his court-appointed estate manager's four-and-a-half month's work. When he challenged those fees, Reed was then billed twice that amount by lawyers for his trustee. 

2.         CALIFORNIA (San Bernardino), Contra Costa Times, May 1, 2013
San Bernardino County kicks off elder abuse awareness campaign
http://www.contracostatimes.com/news/ci_23150268/san-bernardino-county-kicks-off-elder-abuse-awareness
An elder abuse awareness campaign, "It's Not Your Fault," has been kicked off by the San Bernardino County Department of Aging and Adult Services in an effort to encourage senior citizens, ages 65 and older, to report suspected abuse.

 3.         COLORADO (Denver), Denver Post, May 1, 2013

Mandatory elder abuse reporting bill heads to Colorado governor’s desk
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_23148138/mandatory-elder-abuse-reporting-bill-heads-colorado-governors
A bill requiring people in certain occupations — ranging from physicians to clergy members — to report abuse or exploitation of seniors in Colorado is heading to the governor's desk. Senate Bill 111 passed through the House Wednesday morning and will now go to Gov. John Hickenlooper to be signed into law. Currently, Colorado is one of three states that does not require certain professionals, such as caretakers for elders, to report abuse or exploitations against seniors.

 4.         GEORGIA (Macon), 41 NBC, May 1, 2013

District Attorney Focuses on Elder Abuse Cases
http://www.41nbc.com/news/local-news/22981-district-attorney-focuses-on-elder-abuse-cases
Elderly abuse cases are now a top priority for the Macon Judicial Circuit and District Attorney David Cooke appointed a new man, Will Johnson, to take on those cases.

 5.         GEORGIA (Macon), The Telegraph, May 1, 2013

Bibb prosecutor assigned to elder abuse cases has special place in heart for seniors
http://www.macon.com/2013/05/01/2462118/bibb-prosecutor-assigned-to-elder.html
A Bibb county prosecutor will begin to work with elder abuse cases this week. He discusses the origin of his passion for the law and for elder justice.

 6.         MINNESOTA (Duluth), Duluth News Tribune, May 1, 2013

Evidence of abuse found in Northland nursing homes
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/265920/
Special investigators substantiated one case of neglect and another case of abuse in Northland nursing homes. A third area nursing home is disputing a neglect finding. All three complaint investigations were posted on Tuesday on the Minnesota Department of Health’s website.

 7.         PENNSYLVANIA (Harrisburg), The Luminary, April 30, 2013

Supreme Court’s Elder Law Task Force will tackle growing abuses to older Pennsylvanians
http://www.muncyluminary.com/page/content.detail/id/507396/Supreme-Court-s-Elder-Law-Task-Force-will-tackle-growing-abuses-to-older-Pennsylvanians.html?nav=5039
The Supreme Court of Pennsylvania has formed an Elder Law Task Force, chaired by Justice Debra Todd, to study the growing problems involved in guardianship, abuse and neglect, and access to justice. The task force has been charged by Chief Justice of Pennsylvania Ronald D. Castille with recommending solutions that include court rules, legislation, education and best practices.

 8.         TENNESSEE (Bristol), Tricities.com, May 1, 2013

Probe results in fine for Bristol Nursing Home, block on new admissions
http://www.tricities.com/news/local/article_4c4ac4c6-b2d8-11e2-a726-001a4bcf6878.html
A state investigation of the Bristol Nursing Home recently turned up allegations of a possible sexual assault victim who went days without a medical exam, and of a nurse who taped a patient’s mouth to keep him quiet, a report reveals. The Tennessee Department of Health fined the nursing home $3,000 on Tuesday and has blocked new admissions until investigators are convinced they will not see a repeat performance.

 9.         TEXAS (Brownwood), Brownwood Bulletin, May 2, 2013

Taking up Arms Against Elder Abuse
http://www.brownwoodtx.com/news/community/article_22ecda28-b2ac-11e2-900e-0019bb2963f4.html
Texas Governor Rick Perry proclaimed May as Elder Abuse Prevention Month. During this special time, Adult Protective Services (APS) is reminding Texans that it's everyone's business to prevent abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of those who are elderly or have disabilities.

 10.       TEXAS (San Antonio), WOAI, April 30, 2013

APS: Nearly 60K Bexar County Seniors are abuse victims
http://www.woai.com/news/local/story/APS-Nearly-60K-Bexar-County-seniors-are-abuse/9aYR0AHsFE688dimCjeJyA.cspx
Abuse can affect anyone from the very young to the very old, but advocates here are hoping to change that. Today, the Salvation Army and Adult Protective Services kicked off an elder abuse awareness campaign. May is Elder Abuse Prevention Month. In Bexar County alone, nearly 60,000 seniors were victims of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation last year. 

11.       INTERNATIONAL (Thunder Bay, Canada), Wawatay News, May 1, 2013
Elder abuse targeted in Thunder Bay
http://www.wawataynews.ca/archive/all/2013/5/1/elder-abuse-targetted-thunder-bay_24434
With the help of Thunderstone Pictures, the Thunder Bay Police have created a video in both English and Oji-Cree to educate locals about detecting, preventing, and reporting elder abuse.

 12.       INTERNATIONAL (Wales, United Kingdom), This is South Wales, May 2, 2013

Advocacy can help elderly
http://www.thisissouthwales.co.uk/Advocacy-help-elderly/story-18867704-detail/story.html#axzz2SBQcoNxD
Age Cymru believes advocacy services have a key role in preventing and tackling the abuse of older people. Elder abuse affects an estimated 39,000 older people in Wales. Their Rule Out Abuse campaign is calling for older people who may have suffered abuse to have the right to access advocacy services. 

 ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

 1.         IOWA (Davenport), NBC News, May 1, 2013

Mentally disabled turkey plant workers awarded $240M for years of abuse
http://www.nbcnews.com/business/mentally-disabled-turkey-plant-workers-awarded-240m-years-abuse-6C9693069
An Iowa jury on Wednesday awarded a total of $240 million to 32 mentally disabled Iowa turkey processing plant workers for what government lawyers described as years of around-the-clock abuse and discrimination by the Texas company that oversaw their care, work and lodging.

 2.         IOWA (Davenport), BBC, May 1, 2013

Abused mentally disabled Iowa workers in $240m payout
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-22376860
A US jury has awarded $240m to 32 mentally disabled men who suffered decades of abuse while working at a turkey processing company in Iowa.

 3.         IOWA (Iowa City), Washington Post, May 2, 2013

Juror: $240M verdict for mentally disabled Iowa plant workers shows abuse won’t be tolerated
http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/juror-240m-verdict-for-mentally-disabled-iowa-plant-workers-shows-abuse-wont-be-tolerated/2013/05/02/c9f63698-b338-11e2-9fb1-62de9581c946_story.html
A juror says she wanted to send a message by supporting a historic $240 million verdict for 32 mentally disabled men who faced decades of abuse by a Texas company: Never again.

 4.         INTERNATIONAL (Tweed City, Australia), My Daily News, April 30, 2013

Disabled man’s car vandalized for parking in disabled park
http://www.mydailynews.com.au/news/mans-car-vandalised-after-parking-in-disabled-car-/1847509/
"Disabled only maggot," was the message scratched onto the windshield of 19-year-old Danial Benson's car. The disabled P-plater had parked his car in a disabled car park, for which he has a permit, at Tweed City Shopping Centre, last Tuesday about 2pm, when he discovered the cruel message. Someone had vandalized the man’s car when they assumed that he was using the permit inappropriately

 5.         INTERNATIONAL (Edinburgh, Scotland), BBC, May 1, 2013

Vulnerable adult harm reports rise in Scottish Borders
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-south-scotland-22365267
The number of reports of vulnerable adults being harmed in the Scottish Borders has risen sharply, according to a social work report.

  RELATED ISSUES

 1.         ALABAMA (Birmingham), AL.com, April 30, 2013

Missing Decatur man, 81, diagnosed with dementia, found in Birmingham after sleeping truck
http://blog.al.com/breaking/2013/04/decatur_police_search_for_man_3.html
An 81-year-old Decatur man with dementia who was reported missing Monday when he did not return home after visiting his wife in the hospital has been found.

 2.         INTERNATIONAL (Sussex, United Kingdom), The Telegraph, May 1, 2013

Concern over GPS tracking of dementia sufferers

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/health/elderhealth/10031210/Concern-over-GPS-tracking-of-dementia-sufferers.html
Councils across the country have been offering dementia patients a range of hand-held or attachable tracking devices for the past few years as part of a government-backed initiative to increase the use of technology in social care. But there was a renewed focus on the practice after it emerged that Sussex Police had become the first force that had turned to GPS, saying that it hoped to save thousands of pounds on searches for missing people. Sussex Police has paid for 15 of the devices to be worn by dementia patients, which will cost the force £400 a month.

 

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Funding Opportunities:

  • May 2, 2013
    • Pre-applicants for grants from the Impact Fund for nonprofit legal firms, private attorneys, or small law firms that advance social justice in the areas of civil and human rights, environmental justice, or poverty law. Grants of up to $25,000 each will support public-interest litigation that will potentially benefit a large number of people, lead to significant law reform, or raise public consciousness. Grants will not support general program costs, overhead, attorney fees, or international claims.
    • Contact: Impact Fund, 125 University Avenue, Suite 102, Berkeley, Calif., 94710; (510) 845-3473
    • For more information: http://www.impactfund.org/index.php?cat_id=71
  • May 15, 2013
    • Kendal Charitable Funds (KCF) is seeking proposals for promising innovations that will transform the experience of aging.  We are interested in ideas that can enhance the lives of an aging population, whether through services, research, and/or developing new understandings and awareness of the issue and opportunities.  We are looking for pilot projects that address one or more of these criteria.  We will give priority to opportunities that have the greatest potential for change and replication, for the greatest number of individuals. 
    • The proposed project must address one or more non-institutionalized populations, focusing on the following topic:
      • Elder Abuse: Identification and/or Prevention of one or more of the following
        • Financial
        • Physical
        • Emotional
        • Sexual 
    • For more information: www.kendalcharitablefunds.org
  • May 20, 2013
    • The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is pleased to announce that it is seeking applications for research and evaluation relating to abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elderly individuals and residents of residential care facilities. This research furthers the Department’s mission by sponsoring research to provide objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to meet the challenges of crime and justice, particularly at the State and local levels.
    • For more information: https://ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/sl001043.pdf
  • November 1, 2013
    • The Lawrence Foundation awards grants in support of the environment, education, human services, disaster relief, and other causes. The foundation awards both program and operating grants with no geographic restrictions to nonprofit organizations that qualify for tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as public schools and libraries.
    • For more information: http://www.thelawrencefoundation.org/grants/guidelines.php

 

 

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Upcoming Elder Abuse Conferences/Training Events (in chronological order):

 

·       The 6th Annual Forensic Investigations Conference to be held from May 15-17, 2013 at the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri. Seminars will focus on a broad array of emerging forensic practices, in sexual assault, interpersonal violence, child and elder abuse in both an urban and rural environment. For more information https://www.saintlukeshealthsystem.org/event/forensic-conference-1

·       The 16th Annual Kern County Elder Abuse Prevention Conference will be themed “Self Neglect Topics: Hoarding & Grief, Loss, and Trauma.” The conference will take place on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at Hodel’s Country Dining. For more information: http://www.co.kern.ca.us/aas/pdf/elder-abuse-conf-2013.pdf.

·       The Legal Assistance for Seniors Conference on Elder Abuse will be held at UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, California. The theme of the conference will be “Elder Justice: From Policy to Practice” and will be held  on May 21, 2013. For more information: http://lashicap.org/las-events. To find out more about the Institute on Aging’s Elder Abuse Prevention Program’s scholarships for registration for San Francisco area advocates: http://ioaging.org/documents/news/LAS%20-DV_Flier_and_Form2013_EAP-1.pdf

·       Registration is now open for the free webinar, “Improving Care by Strengthening the Workforce: Why Immigration Reform Is Important to Home Care Consumers,” which will take place on May 23, 2013. The webinar is hosted by The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care.
For more information: https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/registrations/new?cid=ltdf3j9ufygs

·       The National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) Annual Training Conference 2013 will take place at the Westin San Diego in San Diego, California and will feature a keynote on Elder Abuse. The conference will take place from May 29-31, 2013. For more info: http://www.nanasp.org/upcomingconferences.html

 ·       The Virginia Coalition for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (VCPEA) will hold its 19th annual conference in Virginia Beach at the Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center on May 29-31, 2013. Conference information was been posted on the VCPEA website at http://www.vcpea.org

 ·       The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Criminal Justice Institute presents an Elder Justice Symposium for attorneys, law enforcement personnel, health care and mental health care professionals, social service providers and victim advocates. The symposium will be on June 27, 2013, at the Almansor Court Banquet Center in Alhambra, California. For more information: http://da.lacounty.gov/cji/ea062713.htm

·       The Alzheimer’s Association annual conference, titled “Dementia Care @AAIC: Translating Research to Practice” will be held in Boston, Massachusetts from July 13-18, 2013. Learn more here: http://www.alz.org/aaic/

·       Changing Aging, The Florida Conference on Aging will be held on August 12-14, 2013 and will be themed, “Aging: New Game – New Rules”
For more information: http://www.fcoa.org/conference.html

·       The 18th International Conference & Summit on Violence, Abuse & Trauma will be held in San Diego, California on September 8-11, 2013. For more information: http://www.ivatcenters.org/  

·       The 24th Annual NAPSA Conference to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota October 2-3, 2013, followed by The 4th Annual NAPSA Summit on Elder Financial Exploitation on October 4, 2013. For more information: http://www.napsa-now.org/get-connected/annual-conference/

·       The 2nd Annual National Elder Abuse Symposium will be held at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Anaheim, California on December 3-6, 2013. Stay tuned for more information.

 

 

An archived collection of previous newsfeeds is available here:
http://ncea.posthaven.com

 

National Center on Elder Abuse
Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse & Neglect 
University of California, Irvine
Program in Geriatrics
101 The City Drive South
Orange, CA 92868

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