NCEA | Newsfeed Collection

NCEA Newsfeed – Friday, January 25, 2013

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!

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

Calendar of upcoming elder abuse and neglect events can be found at the bottom of the newsfeed.

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ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED

1.         NATIONAL, Geri Pal, January 22, 2013
Screening for Elder Abuse and Neglect – the USPSTF Report
http://www.geripal.org/2013/01/screening-for-elder-abuse-and-neglect.html
The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) released its updated standards for screening older or physically or mentally dysfunctional adults for abuse and neglect.

2.         CALIFORNIA (Elk Grove), The Examiner, January 18, 2013
Elk Grove woman facing elder abuse charges for bilking Campbell man
http://www.examiner.com/article/elk-grove-woman-facing-elder-abuse-charges-for-bilking-campbell-man
A Northern California woman faces felony charges after she allegedly bilked an elderly Campbell man out of a luxury car and hundreds of thousands of dollars. The Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office reported today that the victim was “smitten” with the 30-year-old suspect and invested $200,000 in her fledgling company before buying her a Lexus. Prosecutors say the company actually belonged to the suspect’s boyfriend and that $50,000 of the pilfered money went towards paying off a victim in Nevada where the suspect is also facing criminal charges.

3.         CALIFORNIA (Napa), Napa Valley Register, January 23, 2013
Napa man arrested on suspicion of elder abuse
http://napavalleyregister.com/news/local/napa-man-arrested-on-suspicion-of-elder-abuse/article_e8db6cc2-6595-11e2-975f-001a4bcf887a.html
A Napa man is suspected of pushing a wheelchair into the shin of the elderly woman, causing a visible injury, police said. He also allegedly punched a wall heater, causing a dent, and broke the woman’s television by knocking it off its stand, police said. The suspect’s mother is the elderly woman’s caretaker.

4.         CALIFORNIA (Napa), Napa Valley Patch, January 23, 2013
Elder Abuse for “Several Days” Alleged in Napa Man’s Arrest
http://napavalley.patch.com/articles/elder-abuse-for-several-days-alleged-in-napa-man-s-arrest
An elderly woman called reported to police that a man had been physically and mentally abusive towards her over the past several days. She claims that the suspect punched a wall heater causing a dent and broke her television by knocking it off its stand onto the ground. She also said that the suspect had intentionally pushed a wheelchair into her shin causing a visible injury.

5.         MINNESOTA (Chisago County), Chisago County Press, January 24, 2013
Man sentenced for financial exploitation of 88 year-old father
http://www.chisagocountypress.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=17431
A man facing 12 counts for financially exploiting a vulnerable senior citizen has been sentenced following his guilty plea on two felony counts, with the remaining 10 counts dismissed. District Judge Todd Schoffelman sent Jeffrey Peter Pohl to county jail for a year. An 18-month prison sentence was stayed as long as Pohl can meet court conditions imposed for 10 years and provide restitution of $118,575. Among the stipulations, Pohl must not engage in gambling or enter a gambling establishment. He must not enter into certain contracts or provide financial advice to others. 

6.         MISSOURI (Maryland Heights), St. Louis Post-Dispatch, January 22, 2013
Dementia patient scammed; man charged
http://www.stltoday.com/news/state-and-regional/missouri/dementia-patient-scammed-man-charged/article_eb8388b9-66f7-5ac5-86a7-222bc57a20ce.html
A St. Louis-area man is facing charges for allegedly scamming an elderly dementia patient out of thousands of dollars. Maryland Heights police say the 88-year-old victim is a widow who lives alone and suffers from senile dementia. Relatives became suspicious when they noticed her car was missing, though it was later found. They began looking through financial papers and realized she had written several checks to the suspect for various home chores.

7.         MISSOURI (Maryland Heights), KMOV, January 22, 2013
Police: Man exploited elderly woman with dementia
http://www.kmov.com/home/Police-man-exploited-elderly-woman-with-dementia--187980911.html
A St. Peters man is behind bars, accused of scamming an elderly woman out of thousands of dollars. The 38-year-old suspect is charged with financial exploitation of the elderly or disabled. Police say the suspect charged the victim hundreds of dollars for simple chores, saying the victim paid the man $325 to $400 to wash dishes.

8.         INTERNATIONAL (Dublin, Ireland), Independent.ie, January 22, 2013
Elder abuse on the rise as OAPs targeted for theft and deception
http://www.independent.ie/national-news/elder-abuse-on-the-rise-as-oaps-targeted-for-theft-and-deception-3361580.html
Elder abuse officers in the Health Service Executive (HSE) are receiving a marked increase in reports of older people being financially exploited. More than one in five of all 1,850 reports of elder abuse made in the first eight months of 2012 involved some form of financial deception, the Irish Independent has learned.

ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

1.         CALIFORNIA (Vista), Fox 5 San Diego, January 20, 2013
Beating of disabled man has community outraged
http://fox5sandiego.com/2013/01/20/beating-of-disabled-man-has-community-outraged/#axzz2Iwkj3Vj3
Dozens gathered in North County Saturday lashing out against the San Diego Sheriff’s Department claiming that an assault on a disabled man by a deputy was racially motivated.

2.         GEORGIA (DeKalb County, AJC, January 17, 2013
DeKalb woman found guilty of exploiting disabled patients
http://www.ajc.com/news/news/local/dekalb-woman-found-guilty-of-exploiting-disabled-p/nTzh9/
A DeKalb County woman was found guilty Wednesday of abusing and exploiting disabled patients. Bobbie Ward was convicted on 21 of the 25 counts against her, the DeKalb County District Attorney’s Office said.

3.         MARYLAND (Baltimore), ABC2 News, January 22, 2013
Woman who stole from disabled captured
http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/crime_checker/baltimore_city_crime/woman-who-stole-from-disabled-captured
A woman convicted of stealing from a man with intellectual disabilities has violated her probation and sentenced to finish the rest of her original prison term. Janet Gilmore was sentenced to nearly 7 years in prison for failing to fulfill the terms of her probation, which she received for teaming up with her boyfriend to steal more than $150,000 from a man with an intellectual disability. 

4.         MICHIGAN (Detroit), FBI, January 22, 2013
Abuse of Trust: Mentally Disabled Used to Scam Government
http://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/2013/january/mentally-disabled-used-to-scam-government/mentally-disabled-used-to-scam-government
Earlier this month, Dr. Alphonso Berry and two criminal colleagues—a married couple named Marcus and Beth Jenkins—pled guilty to defrauding the government by submitting more than $13.2 million worth of phony claims to Medicare over a seven-year period for group and individual psychotherapy sessions for severely mentally disabled adults that were never provided.

5.         PENNSYLVANIA (Philadelphia), CNN, January 23, 2013
Hate crimes alleged in holding of captives in Philly boiler room
http://www.cnn.com/2013/01/23/justice/pennsylvania-disabled-chained/index.html
Four adults imprisoned in a dark Philadelphia boiler room, beaten and underfed, were confined like zoo animals, federal prosecutors said Wednesday in announcing a 196-count indictment against their alleged captors. The litany of federal charges against the alleged ringleader and her posse includes the first hate crime case of its kind -- the victims were mentally and physically disabled, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

6.         PENNSYLVANIA (Philadelphia), Dispatch.com, January 24, 2013
Woman abused disabled, police say
http://www.dispatch.com/content/stories/national_world/2013/01/24/woman-abused-disabled-police-say.html
Federal prosecutors yesterday combined racketeering, murder and what they said were unprecedented hate-crime charges in a vast indictment against the woman accused of imprisoning mentally disabled adults in a basement so she could steal their benefit checks.

7.         PENNSYLVANIA (Philadelphia), Los Angeles Times, January 23, 2013
Feds charge 5 with hate crimes for allegedly imprisoning disabled
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-feds-charge-5-with-hate-crimes-for-imprisoning-disabled--20130123,0,7825764.story
The federal government for the first time has used its hate crime laws to bring charges against five people who allegedly imprisoned mentally disabled people in subhuman conditions as part of a scheme to steal their Social Security benefits. A group of five suspects is accused of holding at least four mentally disabled people in virtual bondage, depriving them of food and medical attention as they were moved among Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia and Florida. Two people died as a result of the imprisonment aimed at funneling $212,000 in federal funds to one of the suspects, prosecutors allege.

8.         UTAH (Salt Lake City), ABC 4, January 22, 2013
Father charged with trying to kill disabled son
http://www.abc4.com/content/news/slc/story/Father-charged-with-trying-to-kill-disabled-son/H6tEg67lMUm8qrQ89G9Ggg.cspx
A father is in jail after police say he tried to kill his mentally handicapped son. He is being charged with second degree felony attempted murder. Police say that there was an argument at the home on Christmas day, and the father gave his son 10 Trazadone pills. The father then tried to take his own life by taking 10 Trazadone pills plus 5 Temazepam pills mixed with Nyquil. When he allegedly botched the murder-suicide he drove himself and his son to the hospital.

RELATED ISSUES

1.         ARIZONA (Glendale), ABC15, January 24, 2013
Glendale police looking for missing 68-year-old with dementia

http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_west_valley/glendale/glendale-police-looking-for-missing-68-year-old-with-dementia
The Glendale Police Department is asking for the public’s help to find a missing adult with dementia. Police say 68-year-old Wilfrido Moncayo-Cisneros was last seen Wednesday at a Walmart on 95th Avenue and Camelback Road. Wilfrido suffers from a form of dementia and is on medication for his condition. The 68-year-old is described as 5 feet 1 inch tall, weighing 135 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes and a full beard.

2.         OREGON (Portland), KPTV, January 23, 2013
Man with severe dementia missing in Cedar Hills area
http://www.kptv.com/story/20653637/searchers-looking-for-missing-man-with-severe-dementia
Investigators are searching for a missing man with severe dementia. Brant Koller, 69, was last seen at 2785 SW Roxbury Ave. in Portland around 5 p.m. Tuesday, according to the Washington County Sheriff's Office. Staff at his adult care home reported he walked away and they were unable to find him.

3.         INTERNATIONAL (Vancouver, Canada), The Province, January 23, 2013
Missing elderly man with dementia found early Wednesday
http://www.theprovince.com/news/Missing+elderly+with+dementia+found+early+Wednesday/7857946/story.html
An elderly man with dementia who disappeared Tuesday afternoon was found early Wednesday. He had fallen and was taken to the hospital as a precaution. His injuries are believed to be minor.

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Funding Opportunities:

• February 15, 2013/May 1, 2013
  • The American Bar Association has announced a further round of grants to be made in 2013 that will promote and support innovation in the delivery of civil legal aid.  These grants will go to the state Access to Justice Commissions.  The grants will fund projects in seven critical areas of innovation: expanding limited scope representation and other models for affordable services; improving language access and eliminating implicit cultural bias; employing public libraries as point of access for legal aid; enhancing fundraising outside the legal community; creating partnerships with health care and social services providers, government agencies and other new partners; preserving access for low-income people as courts implement e-filing; and increasing web-based delivery of pro bono services for self-represented litigants.  Eligible entities are state Access to Justice Commissions, which are formal entities that bring together the highest level of the state's courts, organized bar, and other stakeholders to support the expansion of access to civil justice for low income and disadvantaged people.  Applications for Grants to Promote the Creation of new Access to Justice Commissions are due by February 15, 2013; applications for Innovation Grants are due on May 1, 2013.
  • Information: www.ATJsupport.org under “grants.” For additional information contact Bob Echols, State Support Consultant, ABA Resource Center for Access to Justice Initiatives, Robert.Echols@comcast.net

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

·      The Nursing Network on Violence Against Women, International (NNVAWI) Conference call for abstracts is open! The submission deadline is January 31, 2013. For more information: http://www.nnvawi.org/showNewsItem.cfm?newsID=123

·       The Alzheimer’s Association is accepting proposals for their international conferences until February 4, 2013.  Submit proposals here: http://www.alz.org/aaic/care/dementia-care-posters.asp. The conference, titled “Dementia Care @AAIC: Translating Research to Practice” will be in Boston, Massachusetts from July 13-18, 2013. Learn more here: http://www.alz.org/aaic/

·       The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) released their famous 2012 Tool Kit on dementia education on November 1, 2012. http://www.nccdp.org/staff-education-week.htm For the fifth year, they will host Alzheimer’s and Dementia Staff Education Week February 14-21, 2013

·      The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting an Elder Maltreatment Symposium to solicit input on Measure #181 Elder Maltreatment Screen on March 8, 2013 online and at their headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. Register and find more information here: http://www.usqualitymeasures.org/Community-Engagement/Symposium.aspx

·      Registration is now open for the 2013 Aging in America Conference, presented by the American Society on Aging. The conference will take place from March 12-16, 2013 in Chicago, IL. For more information: http://www.asaging.org/aia

·       The 13^th Annual International Family Justice Center Conference will be held in Ft. Worth, Texas from April 16-18, 2013 at the Worthington Renaissance Forth Worth Hotel. For more information: http://www.familyjusticecenter.org/training-main/annual-conference.html  

·       The Academy on Violence and Abuse (AVA) 2013 Scientific Conference will be called “Addressing Violence and Abuse in the Changing Healthcare Environment,” and will take place on April 18-20 in Minneapolis, MN at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Suites. For more information: http://avahealth.nonprofitoffice.com/vertical/sites/%7B75FA0828-D713-4580-A29D-257F315BB94F%7D/uploads/avabrochure_P20.pdf  

·       The 6^th 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

·       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

An archived collection of previous newsfeeds is available here:
http://nceagov.posterous.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

Like us on Facebook!

Join us at Ageless Alliance

Newsfeed – Tuesday, January 08, 2013

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!

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

Calendar of upcoming elder abuse and neglect events can be found at the bottom of the newsfeed.

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ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED

1.         CALIFORNIA (El Dorado County), Sacramento Bee, January 7, 2013
Q&A: El Dorado adds investigator to handle rising elder abuse cases
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/01/07/5095820/qa-el-dorado-adds-investigator.html
Concerned that its cases of elder abuse are on the rise – up by 9 percent in the past year – the El Dorado County Sheriff's Office recently added an investigator specifically assigned to look into cases of physical and financial abuse among the county's 28,000 residents age 65 and older.

2.         CALIFORNIA (Orange County), Orange County Register, January 3, 2013
Local voices praise new health laws
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/law-382380-abuse-elder.html
A new California law requires nursing homes to quickly report elder abuse to police. AB40 resolves a longstanding conflict between state and federal laws related to elder-abuse reports, according to the office of Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada, the Northern California Democrat who authored the bill. The law took effect Jan. 1.

3.         CALIFORNIA (Santa Cruz), Santa Cruz Sentinel, January 5, 2013
Chuck Molnar, Senior Corner: Reaching out to isolated seniors
http://www.santacruzsentinel.com/localnews/ci_22317796/chuck-molnar-senior-corner-reaching-out-isolated-seniors?source=email
On Jan. 1, a new law SB1047, first proposed by a member of the California Senior Legislature, went into effect. Entitled "Silver Alert," this law would require that if a person is reported missing to a law enforcement agency, and that agency determines that certain requirements are met, including, among others, that the missing person is 65 years of age or older, the law enforcement agency shall request the California Highway Patrol to activate an electronic sign Silver Alert similar to the Amber Alert

4.         GEORGIA (DeKalb County), Crossroads News, January 4, 2013
Trial to start in elder abuse case
http://www.crossroadsnews.com/view/full_story/21314103/article-Trial-to-start-in-elder-abuse-case?instance=lead_story_left_column
A former middle school secretary was indicted by a DeKalb County grand jury on June 28, 2012, on a range of charges that include aggravated assault, forgery, abuse of disabled adults, identity fraud, and exploitation of an elderly person. Her trial is scheduled to begin this week.

6.         VERMONT (Montpelier), Vermont Digger, January 6, 2013
Legislative preview: Human services committees will look at elder abuse reporting, children and family services
http://vtdigger.org/2013/01/06/legislative-preview-human-services-committee-will-look-at-elder-abuse-reporting-children-and-family-services/
Leaders from both the Senate Committee on Health and Welfare and the House Committee on Human Services say they’ll work to pass a bill similar to one that Governor Peter Shumlin vetoed last session. The bill would have required that the APS division report to the Legislature on elder abuse on a monthly rather than annual basis. It was introduced in response ot a backlog in investigations of elder abuse that had bogged down the APS division and prompted a lawsuit filed by Vermont Legal Aid.

7.         WEST VIRGINIA (Wyoming County), WVNSTV, January 4, 2013
A case of elder abuse lands one man behind bars
http://www.wvnstv.com/story/20504110/a-case-of-elder-abuse-lands-one-man-behind-bars
A 33-year-old man is accused of beating his grandparents. Deputies arrested the suspect on a list of charges, including malicious wounding, three counts of kidnapping, grand larceny and two counts of violent crimes against the elderly. Deputies said more charges could follow.

8.         INTERNATIONAL (Plymouth, United Kingdom), BBC, January 7, 2013
‘Callous’ arson attack on disabled Plymouth woman’s car
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-devon-20937088
A 68-year-old woman’s leased Ford Fiesta was covered with gasoline and set on fire in the early hours of Sunday. The car was completely destroyed, leaving the owner devastated. Det. Con Jason Bryant says the motability company is reluctant to provide another care because of the risk and this car was the woman’s lifeline. Anyone with information about this crime is asked to contact authorities.

ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

1.         FLORIDA (Escambia County), Pensacola News Journal, January 7, 2013
6 arrested in disturbance involving mentally disabled adult
http://www.pnj.com/article/20130107/NEWS11/130107012/6-arrested-in-disturbance-involving-mentally-disabled-adult
Six people were arrested today after a morning melee in which a mentally handicapped adult was chased down by two people and a pit bull and beaten with a cup and a belt. Deputies responded to the disturbance at about and learned that the victim had been abused by household members reportedly as punishment for stealing a cell phone, according to a news release from the Escambia County Sheriff’s Office. The victim was forced to run up and down the street and had also been hit in the face with a coffee cup, beaten on the back with a belt and pushed to the ground, the release states.

2.         MINNESOTA (Woodbury), Woodbury Patch, January 7, 2013
Woodbury Guardian Allegedly Allowed Disabled Teen to Engage in Prostitution
http://woodbury.patch.com/articles/woodbury-guardian-allegedly-allowed-disabled-teen-to-engage-in-prostitution
The guardian of a developmentally disabled woman has been charged with criminal neglect after she allegedly allowed the 19-year-old to engage in prostitution. The 19-year-old is now pregnant.

3.         MINNESOTA (Woodbury), Star Tribune, January 4, 2013
Guardian charged after disabled Woodbury teen allegedly sold for sex
http://www.startribune.com/local/east/185725392.html?refer=y
A Woodbury woman has been charged with neglecting a vulnerable adult after she allegedly dropped off a profoundly disabled 19-year-old woman -- who was in the suspect's care -- at locations where she was forced to have sex with numerous men last summer, court documents say.

4.         NEBRASKA (Lincoln), Journal Star, January 3, 2013
Man gets jail time for assaulting disabled woman
http://journalstar.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/man-gets-jail-time-for-assaulting-disabled-woman/article_d7624fa4-c234-58e9-89e0-4f8254515c09.html?comment_form=true
A judge sent a 54-year-old Lincoln man to jail Thursday for assaulting a developmentally disabled woman a year ago. The perpetrator, who was the 64-year-old woman’s caretaker, slapped her and shoved her underwear in her face after she told him she had an accident at work and soiled herself.

5.         UTAH (Kearns), Salt Lake Tribune, January 4, 2013
Utah woman gets prison term in death of disabled adult
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/55568322-78/harms-beckering-prison-abuse.html.csp
A Kearns woman was sentenced Friday to five years to life in prison for ignoring abuse that eventually killed a mentally disabled woman living in her home. The 22-year-old victim was found dead on the floor of the family’s home. She had bruises on her body, bandages wrapped tightly around her arms and fingers, and a pepper seed stuck under one eyelid. An autopsy found that the victim was severely dehydrated and had potentially fatal levels of Benadryl or a similar drug in her system.

6.         UTAH (Kearns), Cache Valley Daily, January 5, 2013
Kearns woman sentenced for death of disabled woman
http://www.cachevalleydaily.com/news/state/article_a1133f67-e641-5ca4-b76d-32520bbd3225.html
A Kearns woman has been sentenced to five years to life in prison for the death of a disabled woman who lived in her home. The sentenced was imposed Friday on the 51-year-old perpetrator, who earlier was convicted of felony aggravated abuse in the 2011 death of a 22-year-old with fetal alcohol syndrome in her care.

6.         INTERNATIONAL (St. John’s, Canada), CBC, January 4, 2013
Teen convicted of beating disabled man awaits sentence
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2013/01/04/nl-disabled-beating-sentencing-hearing-104.html
A Crown lawyer is calling for a sentence of more than a year for a young woman convicted of brutally beating and robbing a disabled man near St. John's last September. The suspect pleaded guilty of conspiring to lure a disabled man away from a crowd to take part in savagely beating and robbing him in a nearby wooded area. She was one of a group of five teenagers charged after the incident in September.

7.         INTERNATIONAL (Harare, Zimbabwe), Sowetan Live, January 7, 2013
The disabled and sexual abuse
http://www.sowetanlive.co.za/news/no2rape/2013/01/07/the-disabled-and-sexual-abuse
A 25-year-old wheelchair-bound woman was raped by a pastor in September last year. The pastor disappeared and is still on the run. The plight of disabled women who are sexually abused has been exacerbated by a lack of support structures and of information on how they can protect themselves.

RELATED ISSUES

1.         CALIFORNIA (Pasadena), CBS Local, January 5, 2013
Missing Elderly Woman Found Safe and Sound
http://losangeles.cbslocal.com/2013/01/05/woman-with-alzheimers-disease-dementia-goes-missing-in-pasadena/
Pasadena police say a 70-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease, dementia and diabetes went missing on January 5 around 9am and was found later that day in Sierra Madre.

2.         CALIFORNIA (San Diego), CBS 8, January 5, 2013
Missing elderly man with dementia found safe
http://www.cbs8.com/story/20511309/missing-elderly-man-with-dementia-found-safe
An 85-year-old man with dementia who was missing overnight was located Saturday, receiving treatment at a hospital under an incorrect name, San Diego police said.

3.         NEW JERSEY (West Windsor), NBC Philadelphia, January 6, 2013
Missing Elderly Man With Dementia Found Safe: Cops
http://www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/local/Elderly-Man-With-Dementia-Goes-Missing-After-Leaving-Casino-185759312.html
Police say a missing elderly man, who suffers from dementia, has been found safe and in good health. The man was found driving on the New Jersey Turnpike Saturday night after a Silver Alert was issued. He had gone missing from the Parx Casino shortly before 5a.m. Saturday morning.

***************************************************************************************

Funding Opportunities:

• February 15, 2013/May 1, 2013
  • The American Bar Association has announced a further round of grants to be made in 2013 that will promote and support innovation in the delivery of civil legal aid.  These grants will go the state Access to Justice Commissions.  The grants will fund projects in seven critical areas of innovation: expanding limited scope representation and other models for affordable services; improving language access and eliminating implicit cultural bias; employing public libraries as point of access for legal aid; enhancing fundraising outside the legal community; creating partnerships with health care and social services providers, government agencies and other new partners; preserving access for low-income people as courts implement e-filing; and increasing web-based delivery of pro bono services for self-represented litigants.  Eligible entities are state Access to Justice Commissions, which are formal entities that bring together the highest level of the state's courts, organized bar, and other stakeholders to support the expansion of access to civil justice for low income and disadvantaged people.  Applications for Grants to Promote the Creation of new Access to Justice Commissions are due by February 15, 2013; applications for Innovation Grants are due on May 1, 2013.
  • Information: www.ATJsupport.org under “grants.” For additional information contact Bob Echols, State Support Consultant, ABA Resource Center for Access to Justice Initiatives, Robert.Echols@comcast.net

***************************************************************************************

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

·       The Alzheimer’s Association is accepting proposals for their international conferences until February 4, 2013.  Submit proposals here: http://www.alz.org/aaic/care/dementia-care-posters.asp. The conference, titled “Dementia Care @AAIC: Translating Research to Practice” will be in Boston, Massachusetts from July 13-18, 2013. Learn more here: http://www.alz.org/aaic/

·       The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) released their famous 2012 Tool Kit on dementia education on November 1, 2012. http://www.nccdp.org/staff-education-week.htm For the fifth year, they will host Alzheimer’s and Dementia Staff Education Week February 14-21, 2013

·       The 6^th 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

An archived collection of previous newsfeeds is available here:
http://nceagov.posterous.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

Like us on Facebook!

Happy New Year, Everyone!

NCEA Newsfeed – Friday, January 4, 2013

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 the NCEA on Facebook!

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

Calendar of upcoming elder abuse and neglect events and grant opportunities can be found at the bottom of the newsfeed.

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ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED

1.         NATIONAL, Huffington Post, December 31, 2012
For-Profit Nursing Homes Fuel Rise In Fraud and Abuse Charges
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/12/31/nursing-home-abuse_n_2388753.html
The rise of for-profit nursing homes is proving tragic for some of the nation's most vulnerable people, resulting in a spike in waste, fraud and abuse charges brought by federal authorities, according to a new report.

2.         ALABAMA (Spanish Fort), Fox 10 TV, January 2, 2013
Woman arrested for “immense” abuse of elderly man
http://www.fox10tv.com/dpp/news/crime/one-arrested-for-elderly-abuse-neglect
A woman charged with inflicting an “immense amount of physical abuse” on a 72-year-old man is in custody of the Baldwin County Sheriff’s office. The alleged victim was transported to the hospital, where staff observed numerous marks, abrasions, lacerations, skin tears and scars. The man told staff that he had been deprived of food and water for quite some time.

3.         ARIZONA (Phoenix), Lake Powell Life, January 2, 2013
Elder Abuse on the Rise in Arizona
http://www.lakepowelllife.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3798:elder-abuse-on-the-rise-in-arizona&catid=186:latest-local-news&Itemid=18
The Arizona Attorney General’s Office says elder financial abuse is on the rise in the Grand Canyon State. They say reports of elder abuse in the state are up 150 percent in the past decade, with financial exploitation and fraud the most common forms of abuse.

4.         CALIFORNIA (Los Angeles), ABC Local, January 2, 2013
Tips to avoid, prevent increasing elder abuse
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/consumer&id=8940005
This article outlines a common story of elder abuse, and provides tips from Consumer Reports on preventing and detecting elder abuse.

5.         CALIFORNIA (Novato), Marin Independent Journal, December 27, 2012
Novato man convicted of another charge in elder theft case
http://www.marinij.com/novato/ci_22271062/novato-man-convicted-another-charge-elder-theft-case?source=most_viewed
A Novato man who pleaded guilty in an investment scheme was convicted of a second felony charge Thursday after failing to pay restitution on the schedule he had previously agreed to, the district attorney's office said. The man initially pleaded guilty to one elder theft charge on Sept. 26 in a deal to avoid state prison. When he did not make repayments as promised, the prosecution toughened the deal and filed another felony.

6.         CALIFORNIA (Orange County), Los Angeles Times, January 2, 2013
Nursing home worker accused of molesting 69-year old woman
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2013/01/oc-nursing-home-worker-accused-of-sexually-assaulted-disabled-resident.html
A maintenance worker at an Orange County nursing home has been charged with sexually assaulting a 69-year-old disabled woman, and law enforcement officials are appealing to the public to find other potential victims, authorities said. The suspect faces two felony charges related to the sexual assault of an institutionalized victim, and could face up to eight years in state prison and have to register as a sex offender, according to a joint statement by the Orange County district attorney’s office and the Brea Police Department.

7.         CALIFORNIA (Orange County), OC Register, January 3, 2013
Local voices praise new health laws
http://www.ocregister.com/articles/law-382380-abuse-elder.html
New health-related California laws will force insurers to cover mammograms for younger women, require nursing homes to quickly report elder abuse to police, and protect lactating mothers from workplace discrimination.  AB40 resolves a longstanding conflict between state and federal laws related to elder-abuse reports, according to the office of Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada, the Northern California Democrat who authored the bill. The law took effect Jan. 1.

8.         CALIFORNIA (San Diego County), NBC San Diego, January 2, 2013
Woman Seen Dragging Mom Into Burning Home Faces Jail
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Lakeside-House-Up-in-Flames-185382451.html
A woman seen by neighbors dragging her mother into a burning house Tuesday night has been hospitalized and will be booked into jail, according to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department. The 41-year-old suspect is accused of intentionally setting fire to the house by her 74-year-old mother. The suspect faces several charges, including arson, assault with a deadly weapon (not a firearm), elder abuse and attempting to prevent a victim from calling police. 

9.         CALIFORNIA (San Diego County), UT San Diego, January 2, 2013
Lakeside daughter arrested on elder abuse, arson charges
http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/jan/02/daughter-arrested-after-lakeside-house-arson/
A 41-year-old Lakeside woman suspected of setting fire to the home she shared with her mother was arrested on charges of arson and elder abuse, sheriff’s officials said Wednesday. The suspect’s 74-year-old mother told police that her daughter deliberately set fire to their house.

10.       ILLINOIS (Lake County), Lake County News Sun, December 31, 2012
Woman arrested for financial exploitation of 93-year-old man
http://newssun.suntimes.com/news/crime/17319254-418/woman-arrested-for-financial-exploitation-of-93-year-old-man.html
A 57-year-old Wadsworth woman faces charges for allegedly taking advantage of a 93-year-old man by using his credit cards and getting him to give her $30,000 from his certificate of deposit. She was charged with aggravated identity theft and financial exploitation of the elderly. She was arrested Dec. 20 after investigators learned she had befriended the man at church approximately 3 years ago. She first convinced the man to give her $30,000 from a CD, then used 8 of the victim’s credit cards to make purchases for herself.

11.       NEW YORK (Colonie), Times Union, January 3, 2013
Cops: Elderly woman abused
http://www.timesunion.com/local/article/Fired-nursing-home-employee-charged-with-sex-abuse-4162419.php
A convicted rapist was charged with sexually abusing a 91-year-old woman in the Albany Shaker Road nursing home at which he worked as a maintenance employee. The suspect, a 64-year-old Level 3 sex offender, allegedly inappropriately touched the woman after going to her room to change a light bulb. He previously spent more than 16 years behind bars for the 1983 rape and sodomy of a woman in Saratoga County. He is now charged with endangering the welfare of a vulnerable elderly person, a felony, and misdemeanor sexual abuse.

12.       NEW YORK (New York City), City Limits, January 2, 2013
Graying City Means More Elder Abuse
https://www.citylimits.org/news/articles/4708/graying-city-means-more-elder-abuse
Social workers in areas hit by Hurricane Sandy have received a surge of elder abuse reports. Whether it takes the form of financial scams, emotional mistreatment or physical harm, advocates for New York's aged say the extent of elder abuse in the city dwarfs the resources available to combat it.

13.       OKLAHOMA (Tulsa), KJRH, January 3, 2013
Ways to stop elder financial abuse by those close to them
http://www.kjrh.com/dpp/news/segment_2/ways-to-stop-elder-financial-abuse-by-those-close-to-them
A Consumer Reports investigation has found increasingly it’s trusted family and friends who are abusing the elderly by draining bank accounts, selling valuables, or even taking over their real estate. And those crimes can often be very difficult to spot. This article lists some of Consumer Reports’ tips to detect and prevent elder abuse.

14.       SOUTH CAROLINA (Greenwood), Index-Journal, January 1, 2013
Man charged with exploitation of vulnerable adult
http://www.indexjournal.com/main.asp?SectionID=4&SubSectionID=40&ArticleID=15981
A man previously convicted of scamming money from the elderly was arrested again recently for similar crimes that occurred in 2011. He was charged with trespass of real property, attempt to obtain money by false pretense and financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult.

15.       WYOMING (Casper), Trib.com, December 21, 2012
Authorities charge worker with stealing from Casper nursing home resident
http://trib.com/news/local/casper/authorities-charge-worker-with-stealing-from-casper-nursing-home-resident/article_f196b1be-e49e-5999-904e-d0a9af6f078c.html
A worker at a Casper nursing home stole thousands of dollars from a 100-year-old resident with dementia, police allege in an affidavit released Thursday. Investigators found financial records suggesting the suspect used the man’s bank account to write herself checks and make credit card payments.

ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

1.         CALIFORNIA (Sacramento), CBS Local, December 28, 2012
Former Sacramento Officer Appears In Court For Alleged Rape Of Disabled Woman
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2012/12/28/former-sacramento-police-officer-accused-of-raping-disabled-woman-appears-in-court/
A former police officer was arraigned on multiple counts of rape after allegedly attacking a 78-year-old woman twice in two years, a victim left unable to speak after a stroke.

2.         GEORGIA (Cedartown), Goupstate, December 31, 2012
Man charged with exploiting vulnerable adult
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20121231/ARTICLES/212311024?tc=ar
A man is accused of exploiting a vulnerable adult after authorities say he spent $2,340 of her money. He has been charged with exploitation of a vulnerable adult, financial transaction card theft and financial transaction card fraud with a value more than $500 in a six-month period.

3.         LOUISIANA (Natchitoches), Shreveport Times, December 28, 2012
Natchitoches couple arrested for abusing disabled man
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20121228/NEWS03/121228017/Natchitoches-couple-arrested-abusing-disabled-man
Two people are behind bars and a 55-year-old disabled man is recovering from abuse after an investigation by Natchitoches parish officials. The victim was allegedly given one glass of water and one meal a day, and the couple withheld his medications.  Deputies obtained permission to search the residence and found the man in a rear bedroom bed in what they described as being some of the worst deplorable conditions they had ever seen a helpless person in.

4.         MASSACHUSETTS (Fall River), Herald News, December 29, 2012
Cops arrest man wanted in robbery of disabled man
http://www.heraldnews.com/news/x2105863263/Cops-arrest-man-wanted-in-robbery-of-disabled-man
When police went to a man’s house to investigate a call about a disturbance, they discovered that the man had a 2010 family court warrant charging him with armed robbery and assault of a 57-year-old disabled man. The suspect and 3 other teenage boys at the time allegedly surrounded the victim at 5a.m., punched him in the face until he fell, and took the man’s cell phone and wallet.

5.         MASSACHUSETTS (Marlborough), Metro West Daily News, January 1, 2013
Marlborough man charged with choking disabled girlfriend
http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/top_stories/x1631898994/Marlborough-man-charged-with-choking-disabled-girlfriend
A Marlborough man was ordered held without bail Monday after police say he hit and tried to strangle and smother hit his disabled girlfriend early Saturday morning.

6.         TEXAS (Mayfield Ranch), Hill Country News, January 2, 2013
COMPLAINT: Woman strangled terminally ill/disabled husband
http://www.hillcountrynews.com/news/article_bb21b74a-551a-11e2-afc1-0019bb2963f4.html
A Round Rock woman accused of trying to strangle her terminally ill, disabled husband, told authorities that he received the bruising and what appeared to be fingernail scratches around his neck by rolling around in his bed, because he bruises easily, according to a felony complaint filed last week with the district clerk’s office.

7.         INTERNATIONAL (Millom, United Kingdom), North-West Evening Mail, December 30, 2012
Disabled Millom Man’s Christmas Saved After Thieves Strike
http://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/disabled-millom-man-s-christmas-saved-after-thieves-strike-1.1024558?referrerPath=home
When a disabled man’s Christmas groceries were stolen by thieves, the local police showed up at his doorstep with replacement groceries.

RELATED ISSUES

1.         CALIFORNIA (Fresno), Fresno Bee, December 30, 2012
Nevada woman with dementia sought in downtown Fresno
http://www.fresnobee.com/2012/12/30/3116996/nevada-woman-with-dementia-sought.html
The Fresno Police Department is asking for the public's help to find a 66-year-old woman from Nevada who has dementia and is missing in Fresno. The woman is Sharon Green. She was last seen walking from the Radisson Hotel in downtown Fresno toward Selland Arena. Green is white, 5 feet and 6 inches tall and weighs 190 pounds with short brown hair and blue eyes. She was wearing a black polo shirt with the logo CAMSEC.

2.         MARYLAND (Belcamp), Baltimore Sun, January 3, 2013
Missing Belcamp man with dementia rescued near home
http://www.baltimoresun.com/explore/harford/publications/the-aegis/ph-ag-missing-man-found-0104-20130103,0,7528945.story
A Belcamp man with dementia was rescued from a creek near his home about 1 1/2 hours after he went missing Monday night, the Harford County Sheriff's Office reported Thursday morning. He was reported to have dementia and barely able to walk. Witnesses told police they saw him walking out of his neighborhood at about 7:30 p.m., according to the sheriff's office press release.

3.         WASHINGTON (Morton), ChronOnline, January 3, 2013
Elderly Man With Dementia Missing Since Friday; Police Believe He Hitchhiked Out of Morton Area
http://www.chronline.com/news/article_4ea13bc4-5383-11e2-9a37-0019bb2963f4.html
Police now believe the elderly Morton man with dementia who disappeared Friday morning has hitchhiked out of the Morton area.

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Funding Opportunities:

• January 7: Other (District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia)
  • Applications for The Washington Post 2013 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management, administered by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement and sponsored by The Washington Post. The award recognizes outstanding management at nonprofit organizations in the metropolitan Washington area. One group will receive $10,000 and a scholarship to the Georgetown University Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership. Up to four groups will each receive honorable mentions and $2,500. Additional information is available on the center’s Web site.
  • Who may apply: organizations in the metropolitan Washington area that are classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
  • Contact: Center for Nonprofit Advancement
    1666 K Street, N.W., Suite 440
    Washington, D.C. 20006
    (202) 457-0540
    http://www.nonprofitadvancement.org/PostAward2013
• February 15, 2013/May 1, 2013
  • The American Bar Association has announced a further round of grants to be made in 2013 that will promote and support innovation in the delivery of civil legal aid.  These grants will go the state Access to Justice Commissions.  The grants will fund projects in seven critical areas of innovation: expanding limited scope representation and other models for affordable services; improving language access and eliminating implicit cultural bias; employing public libraries as point of access for legal aid; enhancing fundraising outside the legal community; creating partnerships with health care and social services providers, government agencies and other new partners; preserving access for low-income people as courts implement e-filing; and increasing web-based delivery of pro bono services for self-represented litigants.  Eligible entities are state Access to Justice Commissions, which are formal entities that bring together the highest level of the state's courts, organized bar, and other stakeholders to support the expansion of access to civil justice for low income and disadvantaged people.  Applications for Grants to Promote the Creation of new Access to Justice Commissions are due by February 15, 2013; applications for Innovation Grants are due on May 1, 2013.
  • Information: www.ATJsupport.org under “grants.” For additional information contact Bob Echols, State Support Consultant, ABA Resource Center for Access to Justice Initiatives, Robert.Echols@comcast.net

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

·       The Alzheimer’s Association is accepting proposals for their international conferences until February 4, 2013.  Submit proposals here: http://www.alz.org/aaic/care/dementia-care-posters.asp. The conference, titled “Dementia Care @AAIC: Translating Research to Practice” will be in Boston, Massachusetts from July 13-18, 2013. Learn more here: http://www.alz.org/aaic/

·       The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) released their famous 2012 Tool Kit on dementia education on November 1, 2012. http://www.nccdp.org/staff-education-week.htm For the fifth year, they will host Alzheimer’s and Dementia Staff Education Week February 14-21, 2013

·       The 6^th 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

 An archived collection of previous newsfeeds is available here:
http://nceagov.posterous.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

Like us on Facebook!

NCEA Newsfeed – Friday, December 21, 2012

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!

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

Calendar of upcoming elder abuse and neglect events can be found at the bottom of the newsfeed.

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ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED

1.         NATIONAL, AARP, December 20, 2012
Caregivers: Spotting & Preventing Financial Elder Abuse
http://blog.aarp.org/2012/12/20/sally-abrahms-financial-elder-abuse-tips/
Just in time for the holidays, AARP offers tips to caregivers to detect, prevent, and intervene in situations of elder abuse.

2.         CALIFORNIA (El Dorado County), Sacramento Bee, December 20, 2012
El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office investigator to prove elder abuse
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/12/20/5066714/el-dorado-county-sheriffs-office.html
The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office has added an investigator to focus on elder abuse. The move follows news that reports of elder abuse have increased 9 percent since 2011 in the county. The county's population of residents 65 and older is 31.6 percent greater than the state's average.

3.         CALIFORNIA (El Dorado County), Cap Radio, December 20, 2012
Detective Position Created To Investigate Elder Abuse
http://www.capradio.org/articles/2012/12/19/detective-position-created-to-investigate-elder-abuse
The Eldorado County Sheriff's Department has created a new detective position to help combat an increase in crimes against seniors.  Sergeant Jim Byers says the nine-percent increase in reported cases of elder abuse over last year likely has several causes, "Some of the financial abuse is increasing because they're considered a relatively easy target and the generation that's now falling into this age category: they have no problem going to law enforcement saying, "Hey, I'm being taken advantage of.  You know, I need help."

4.         CALIFORNIA (El Dorado County), Tahoe Daily Tribune, December 18, 2012
Sheriff’s investigator to focus on elder abuse
http://www.tahoedailytribune.com/article/20121218/NEWS/121219857/1056&parentprofile=1056
The El Dorado County Sheriff's Office announced the addition of a new investigator position this week that will focus solely on elder abuse and financial crimes.

5.         MARYLAND (Montgomery County), WJLA, December 18, 2012
‘Salt and Pepper Bandits’ case reminds seniors to stay vigilant
http://www.wjla.com/articles/2012/12/-salt-and-pepper-bandits-case-reminds-seniors-to-stay-vigilant-83234.html
They were dubbed the "Salt and Pepper Bandits" because they targeted senior citizens and sometimes even donned disguises to look like seniors. Now this crime spree is being used to teach Montgomery County residents how to avoid similar crimes.

6.         MINNESOTA (Deephaven), Star Tribune, December 18, 2012
Deephaven health aide cleared of abuse charges
http://www.startribune.com/local/183980711.html?refer=y
State investigators have reversed their conclusion that an aide at a Deephaven nursing home sexually assaulted a female resident in March, saying the accuser was found "not to be credible," according to a revised Minnesota Health Department report released Tuesday.

7.         MONTANA (Helena), Billings Gazette, December 19, 2012 (Opinion)
Gazette opinion: Time to update Montana elder abuse law
http://billingsgazette.com/news/opinion/editorial/gazette-opinion/gazette-opinion-time-to-update-montana-elder-abuse-law/article_566c1b0a-9111-58e7-bc99-15b19e833f66.html
Present law requires not only that exploitation or abuse be proven but also that the state prove the victim was “unable to provide personal protection from abuse, sexual abuse, neglect or exploitation because of a mental or physical impairment or because of frailties or dependencies brought on by age.” Elder justice advocates want to delete this clause, and increase minimum penalties for convicted perpetrators.

8.         NEW YORK (Albany), Times Union, December 18, 2012
NY plan for disabled follows 60,000 abuse reports
http://www.timesunion.com/news/article/NY-plan-for-disabled-follows-60-000-abuse-reports-4129486.php
With data showing more than 60,000 alleged incidents of abuse against the disabled in one state agency's care since 2008, New York authorities are set to establish a new prosecutor, inspector general, hotline and other measures next year that Gov. Andrew Cuomo said Tuesday will address "long-held injustices."

9.         NORTH CAROLINA (Pinehurst), WRAL.com, December 20, 2012
Caregiver arrested after trying to marry dementia patient
http://www.wral.com/police-caregiver-kidnapped-elderly-pinehurst-man/11903185/
Pinehurst police on Thursday arrested the caregiver of a dementia patient after they say the pair drove to Scotland County to get married. The suspect picked up the 83-year-old man from his rehabilitation center on Monday for a doctor’s visit but never showed up for the appointment. Local attorney Bill Floyd said he saw the two leaving the Register of Deeds Office and realized Aiken was the subject of a Silver Alert that he had read about Wednesday on WRAL.com. The suspect has been charged with one count of false imprisonment.

10.       OKLAHOMA (Oklahoma City), KOCO, December 12, 2012
Caretaker accused of draining elderly woman’s $250,000 bank account
http://www.koco.com/news/oklahomanews/okc/Caretaker-accused-of-draining-elderly-woman-s-250-000-bank-account/-/11777584/17757010/-/uqlya4z/-/index.html
A metro woman tasked with caring for an 88-year-old Nichols Hills woman stole from her instead, investigators said. The suspect has been charged with eight counts of financial exploitation of an elderly person by a caretaker. 

11.       OKLAHOMA (Oklahoma City), News on 6, December 18, 2012
OK Advocates Demand Cameras in Nursing Homes After Abuse Caught On Tape
http://www.newson6.com/story/20375916/ok-advocates-demand-cameras-in-nursing-homes-after-abuse-caught-on-tape
After disturbing nursing home abuse is caught on tape, advocates are demanding cameras be placed in nursing homes. Some Oklahoma lawmakers say they will be looking into proposals this session that would mandate cameras in nursing home rooms and common areas.

12.       PENNSYLVANIA (Philadelphia), CBS News, December 18, 2012
Financial Elder Abuse On The Rise
http://pittsburgh.cbslocal.com/2012/12/18/financial-elder-abuse-on-the-rise/
A recent Consumer Reports’ investigation finds theft and fraud by loved ones is on the rise. Consumer Reports advises seniors to have bank statements sent to a person you trust to monitor accounts — arrange for direct deposit and automatic bill pay — and consult an elder law attorney for legal changes involving children.

13.       TEXAS (Houston), Chron.com, December 19, 2012
Couple who scammed veterans are headed to prison
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/houston/article/Attorney-blamed-for-record-2-3-million-scam-of-4133043.php
The elderly Houston couple responsible for the largest scam ever uncovered in a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs' program meant to protect vulnerable veterans will be going to federal prison for 46 months after conspiring to carry out a $2.3 million ripoff of 49 disabled military men.

14.       INTERNATIONAL (New Delhi, India), Mirror.co.uk, December 21, 2012
Banker tells disabled husband they’re going on luxury holiday but dumps him in a slum instead and flies home
http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/rich-banker-tells-disabled-husband-1499493
A rich banker persuaded her disabled husband to go to India on the holiday of a lifetime – then dumped him in a slum to save money on care costs. She took him to a poverty-stricken suburb of New Delhi and paid a family £1,500 a month to take him in before jetting home alone to live a life of luxury, a court in Switzerland was told. None months later in September 2008, her 74-year-old husband died due to “lack of care and poor hygiene.” A Zurich court has jailed the man’s widow for four years.

15.       INTERNATIONAL (New Delhi, India), DailyMail, December 20, 2012
Wealthy Swiss banker takes disabled elderly husband on ‘holiday of a lifetime’ to India – and leaves him there because she was fed up paying for care bills
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2251043/Wealthy-banker-takes-disabled-elderly-husband-holiday-lifetime-India--leaves-fed-paying-care-bills.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
A wife who took her handicapped husband on a 'holiday of a lifetime' to India then dumped him there to save on care costs has been jailed for four years in Switzerland.

16.       INTERNATIONAL (Manawatu, New Zealand), Stuff.co.nz, December 19, 2012
Elder abuse to worsen
http://www.stuff.co.nz/manawatu-standard/news/8098783/Elder-abuse-to-worsen
Policy analyst Julie Macdonald said between 270 and 900 older people in Palmerston North were statistically likely to be victims of abuse. Elder abuse is expected to worsen, as the population of elderly people in Palmerston North is expected to double in the next 20 years.

17.       INTERNATIONAL (Edinburgh, Scotland), Scotsman.com, December 20, 2012
Disabled victim of assault brands ‘scum’ gang 4-year sentences too short
http://www.scotsman.com/edinburgh-evening-news/latest-news/disabled-victim-of-assault-brands-scum-gang-4-year-sentences-too-short-1-2700507
A disabled man attacked by a gang of thieves targeting the elderly and vulnerable has branded them “scum” and said their four-year sentences were too short. The three perpetrators admitted a string of offences earlier this year.

ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

1.         CALIFORNIA (Placer County), CBS Local, December 19, 2012
Man Pleads No Contest to Raping Disabled Woman At Placer County Care Home
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2012/12/19/man-pleads-no-contest-to-raping-disabled-woman-at-placer-county-care-home/
The man accused of raping a severally mentally disabled woman in a Placer County care home and impregnating her pleaded no contest on Wednesday to one count of rape of an incompetent victim and admitted causing her great bodily injury during the commission of the rape. He will be sentenced to 13 years in state prison, the maximum allowed by law, and will be required to register as a sex offender for life upon his release from prison.

2.         CALIFORNIA (Placer County), KCRA, December 20, 2012
Former caregiver enters plea to impregnating disabled woman
http://www.kcra.com/news/local-news/news-sacramento/Former-caregiver-enters-plea-to-impregnating-disabled-woman/-/12969376/17839238/-/sk1q38z/-/index.html
A former caregiver entered a no-contest plea Wednesday on charges that he injured and raped a severely disabled woman in his care.

3.         CALIFORNIA (Sacramento), Los Angeles Times, December 19, 2012
California senator seeks investigations of abuse of disabled people
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/california-politics/2012/12/california-senator-seeks-investigations-of-abuse-of-disabled-people.html
Concerned about a wave of rapes in California facilities for the disabled and mentally ill, state Sen. Fran Pavley (D-Agoura Hills) has proposed mandating the immediate use of kits to collect evidence when allegations of abuse are made.

4.         CALIFORNIA (Sacramento), Hometown Station, December 19, 2012
Developmentally Disabled Victims of Sex Crimes To Be Protected By New Pavley Bill
http://hometownstation.com/news/santa-clarita-news/developmentally-disabled-victims-sex-crimes-be-protected-new-pavley-bill
State Sen. Fran Pavley announced her intent Tuesday to introduce legislation to help protect developmentally disabled victims of sex crimes in California’s state developmental centers and state hospitals. She is working with Disability Rights California, the California Coalition Against Sexual Assault (CALCASA), The Arc of California and United Cerebral Palsy to introduce legislation to require that sexual abuse victims within the state developmental centers and state psychiatric hospitals receive timely forensic medical examinations.

5.         ILLINOIS (Edwardsville), BND.com, December 18, 2012
Judge appoints guardian ad litem for disabled East Alton woman; task force formed
http://www.bnd.com/2012/12/20/2435019/judge-appoints-guardian-ad-litem.html
A 33-year-old East Alton woman, who is developmentally delayed, blind and deaf, was appointed a guardian ad litem after suffering physical abuse and neglect at the hands of her adoptive father and former stepmother. A Madison County judge announced the formation of a special committee to make sure all pertinent information is considered when determining the best care plan for the woman.

6.         MISSISSIPPI (Hattiesburg), WLOX, December 19, 2012
Two arrested in Hattiesburg for keeping mentally challenged adults in deplorable conditions
http://www.wlox.com/story/20386335/two-arrested-in-hattiesburg-for-keeping-mentally-challenged-adults-in-deplorable-conditions
Investigators with the Mississippi Attorney General's office arrested two Hattiesburg residents Wednesday on charges of exploitation of a vulnerable adult, and the misuse of more than $21,000.

7.         UTAH (Murray), KSL, December 19, 2012
Felony charges for chiropractor accused of exploiting disabled woman
http://www.ksl.com/?nid=148&sid=23446303
A Highland chiropractor who practices in Murray is facing felony charges accusing him of exploiting a disabled woman into signing a $6,000 care contract. The charges state that the woman involved was found by a doctor to be suffering from "mild mental retardation," is unable to manage her finances and personal care without help, and can't make "age-appropriate decisions regarding health/medical and legal issues."

RELATED ISSUES

1.         OHIO (Norwalk), Cleveland.com, December 19, 2012
Missing man with dementia found driving on Detroit Avenue: Lakewood Police Blotter
http://www.cleveland.com/lakewood/index.ssf/2012/12/missing_man_with_dementia_foun.html
A police bulletin was distributed to officers regarding a man with dementia who was missing from Norwalk. While on patrol near West 117th Street, an officer spotted a vehicle with a tail light out entering Cleveland. The driver and the vehicle matched the description of the missing man. When asked to turn off his vehicle the disoriented man, became agitated, but was safely removed from the vehicle. An officer remained with the man at Lakewood Hospital until his son arrived.

2.         TEXAS (Arlington), The Scoop Blog, December 19, 2012
Arlington police ask postal workers, property owners to be on lookout for elderly woman with dementia
http://thescoopblog.dallasnews.com/2012/12/elderly-woman-with-dementia-reported-missing-in-arlington.html/
Maria Arrocha, a 77-year-old woman with Alzheimer’s disease, was last seen Tuesday morning wearing a black sweater and beige pants before she wandered away from her home. Police have handed out fliers with her photo to postal workers, bus drivers and hospitals in Arlington. They’re also asking property owners in the area to check their back yards, garages and sheds. Ms. Arrocha is Hispanic and has black and gray hair and brown eyes. She is about 5-foot-5 and 180 pounds.

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Funding Opportunities:

• Deadline: December 31: Volunteerism (United States)
  • Nominations accepted for the Stand and Deliver Awards given by Merz Aesthetics, a division of Merz Pharma Group. The awards will go to women who are changing their communities one day at a time through their support of a nonprofit organization classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Three finalists will be chosen through online voting open to the public, with one woman winning $10,000 for the charity of her choice.
  • Contact: Merz Aesthetics
    http://www.asclera.com/standanddeliver
• Deadline: January 7: Other (District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia)
  • Applications for The Washington Post 2013 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management, administered by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement and sponsored by The Washington Post. The award recognizes outstanding management at nonprofit organizations in the metropolitan Washington area. One group will receive $10,000 and a scholarship to the Georgetown University Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership. Up to four groups will each receive honorable mentions and $2,500. Additional information is available on the center’s Web site.
  • Who may apply: organizations in the metropolitan Washington area that are classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
  • Contact: Center for Nonprofit Advancement
    1666 K Street, N.W., Suite 440
    Washington, D.C. 20006
    (202) 457-0540
    http://www.nonprofitadvancement.org/PostAward2013
• Deadline: February 15, 2013/May 1, 2013
  • The American Bar Association has announced a further round of grants to be made in 2013 that will promote and support innovation in the delivery of civil legal aid.  These grants will go the state Access to Justice Commissions.  The grants will fund projects in seven critical areas of innovation: expanding limited scope representation and other models for affordable services; improving language access and eliminating implicit cultural bias; employing public libraries as point of access for legal aid; enhancing fundraising outside the legal community; creating partnerships with health care and social services providers, government agencies and other new partners; preserving access for low-income people as courts implement e-filing; and increasing web-based delivery of pro bono services for self-represented litigants.  Eligible entities are state Access to Justice Commissions, which are formal entities that bring together the highest level of the state's courts, organized bar, and other stakeholders to support the expansion of access to civil justice for low income and disadvantaged people.  Applications for Grants to Promote the Creation of new Access to Justice Commissions are due by February 15, 2013; applications for Innovation Grants are due on May 1, 2013.
  • Information: www.ATJsupport.org under “grants.” For additional information contact Bob Echols, State Support Consultant, ABA Resource Center for Access to Justice Initiatives, Robert.Echols@comcast.net

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

·       The Alzheimer’s Association is accepting proposals for their international conferences until February 4, 2013.  Submit proposals here: http://www.alz.org/aaic/care/dementia-care-posters.asp. The conference, titled “Dementia Care @AAIC: Translating Research to Practice” will be in Boston, Massachusetts from July 13-18, 2013. Learn more here: http://www.alz.org/aaic/

·       The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) released their famous 2012 Tool Kit on dementia education on November 1, 2012. http://www.nccdp.org/staff-education-week.htm For the fifth year, they will host Alzheimer’s and Dementia Staff Education Week February 14-21, 2013

·       The 6^th 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

 An archived collection of previous newsfeeds is available here:
http://nceagov.posterous.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

Like us on Facebook!

NCEA Newsfeed – Tuesday, December 18, 2012

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!

Join the Year of Elder Abuse Prevention

The Administration on Aging is offering a new toolkit to help organizations participate in the Year of Elder Abuse Prevention. It includes an outreach guide, event planning materials, fact sheets, poster, and more.
Download materials 

Calendar of upcoming elder abuse and neglect events can be found at the bottom of the newsfeed.

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ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED

1.         CALIFORNIA (El Dorado County), South Tahoe Now, December 17, 2012
New El Dorado Sheriff Investigator Position to Focus on Elder Abuse
http://southtahoenow.com/story/12/17/2012/new-investigator-position-focus-elder-abuse
A new investigator position designed to look into elder abuse and financial crimes will be added to the El Dorado County Sheriff’s Office detective bureau, Sheriff John D’Agostini announced Monday.

2.         CALIFORNIA (San Jose), Crime Voice, December 13, 2012
Mother arrested after daughter found guilty of fraud
http://crimevoice.com/mother-arrested-after-daughter-found-guilty-of-elder-fraud-19929/
A 55-year-old woman was arrested on November 30th on charges ranging from elder fraud abuse to theft and forgery under PC368 (d) and PC 470 (d). She is being charged by the County of Santa Clara’s office for felony count indictments claiming that she participated in the crime of theft, and/or embezzlement of more than $950 by a person, not a caretaker, from an elder or dependent adult, in violation of PC 368 (d). The alleged victim is the suspect’s mother. The suspect’s daughter has already been charged in connection with the theft.  

3.         CALIFORNIA (San Jose), Mercury News, December 13, 2012
Appellate court: Disabled San Jose man owes nothing to trustee and attorneys in bitter probate dispute
http://www.mercurynews.com/trust/ci_22187693/appellate-court-disabled-san-jose-man-owes-nothing
In a stunning ruling, a California appellate court on Thursday declared that a Silicon Valley trustee and his two attorneys are not entitled to a penny of compensation, after a years-long dispute over their six-figure bill to briefly manage a disabled San Jose man's life savings. Not only was the ruling major vindication for the 37-year-old man who waged a rare fight against powerful interests in the local courts, it also sets legal precedent that strengthens the rights of others to maintain control of their court-overseen trusts.

4.         MASSACHUSETTS (Boston), Boston.com, December 14, 2012
Help prevent the financial exploitation of older adults
http://www.boston.com/business/personal_finance/blog/2012/12/help_prevent_the_financial_exp.html
The author tells the story of how she experienced elder abuse in her own family, and sites the National Center on Elder Abuse when discussing the availability of resources and education on the matter.

5.         NEW YORK (New York City), ABC News, December 13, 2012
Astor Son, 88, Seeks to Avoid Prison in NY Appeal

http://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/astor-son-88-seeks-avoid-prison-ny-appeal-17965327#.UM_DweSxzTp
An 88-year-old heir to a storied fortune, trying to stay out of prison in a case that shook New York society, asked appeals judges through his lawyers on Thursday to overturn his conviction on charges of plundering his mother's millions. His lawyers claim that their client is innocent and prison could kill him.

6.         OREGON (Salem), Statesman Journal, December 13, 2012
Self neglect, financial exploitation remain top concerns for vulnerable adults
http://www.statesmanjournal.com/article/20121213/UPDATE/121213035/Self-neglect-financial-exploitation-remain-top-concerns-vulnerable-adults?nclick_check=1
Self-neglect and financial exploitation remain the top concerns for elderly and disabled Oregonians, according to a report issued by Oregon Department of Human Services. In licensed care settings, the most reported complaint is neglect of care. In 2011, DHS Adult Protective Services received more than 28,000 reports of potential abuse, about 1,000 more than in 2010. In total, 2,935 seniors and adults with disabilities were victims of abuse in 2011.

7.         SOUTH CAROLINA (Mount Pleasant), WBTW, December 14, 2012
Relative of 101-year-old victim in nursing home abuse video makes plea for help
http://www2.wbtw.com/news/2012/dec/14/2/relative-101-year-old-victim-nursing-home-abuse-vi-ar-5168359/
A woman placed a hidden camera in her 101-year-old grandfather’s room at a nursing home, and captured a former employee sexually assaulting him. Now she is pleading with the public to help her get her grandfather out of the place where he was abused.  

8.         INTERNATIONAL (Geelong, Australia), 9News, December 14, 2012
Nurse jailed for stealing from dementia patients
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2012/12/14/12/42/nurse-jailed-for-stealing-from-dementia-patients
A Victoria woman has pleaded guilty to 18 charges including theft and obtaining property by deception. She is accused of stealing from dementia patients to help fund her addiction to methamphetamine. On one occasion she was accused of stealing a $100 medal and chain from the neck of a man on his death bed.

ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

1.         CALIFORNIA (Placer County), Los Angeles Times, December 16, 2012
Man raped, impregnated disabled woman, police allege
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/lanow/2012/12/man-raped-impregnated-disabled-woman-police-allege.html
Placer County authorities accused a man of raping and impregnating a severely mentally and physically disabled woman. The suspect was assigned a public defender and pleaded not guilty. The woman gave birth in February.

2.         CALIFORNIA (Placer County), Fox 40, December 14, 2012
Man Accused of Raping Disabled Woman Appears in Court
http://fox40.com/2012/12/14/man-accused-of-raping-disabled-woman-appears-in-court/
The man accused of raping, and impregnating, a severely mentally and physically handicapped woman appeared in Placer County court Friday. He is also accused of selling drugs after he went into hiding after the alleged rape. He was assigned a public defender and pleaded not guilty.

3.         CALIFORNIA (Sonoma), Terra News, December 15, 2012
California home for developmentally disabled faces abuse inquiry
http://news.terra.com/california-home-for-developmentally-disabled-faces-abuse-inquiry,fa61279cbc99b310VgnCLD2000000ec6eb0aRCRD.html
California health officials have threatened to shut down part of the state's oldest home for developmentally disabled adults due to evidence of physical abuse and neglect, in a move that could displace nearly 300 of its residents.

4.         CALIFORNIA (Sonoma), Press TV, December 16, 2012
US home for disabled to be closed after reports of abuse
http://www.presstv.ir/detail/2012/12/16/278409/us-disabled-home-to-be-closed-over-abuse/
A state-owned home in California for developmentally disabled is threatened to be shut down by health officials after evidence of physical abuse and neglect have been offered. The California Department of Public Health said on Wednesday in a letter to the Sonoma Developmental Center director that it would take actions against the facility after series of abuse were reported in the center.

5.         MINNESOTA (Mendota Heights), Mendota Heights Patch, December 14, 2012
Mendota Heights Man Charged with Assaulting Vulnerable Adult
http://mendotaheights.patch.com/articles/mendota-heights-man-charged-with-assaulting-vulnerable-adult
A Mendota Heights man has been charged with assaulting a vulnerable adult in Apple Valley in September, fracturing his rib and bruising his lung.

6.         NEW MEXICO (Albuquerque), ABQ Journal, December 17, 2012
Shooting Of Mentally Disabled Man Spurs Lawsuit
http://www.abqjournal.com/main/2012/12/17/news/shooting-of-mentally-disabled-man-spurs-lawsuit.html
A man with fetal alcohol syndrome has filed a lawsuit against a police chief and the city of Albuquerque for the treatment he received in a confrontation with police. He has already sued the city in federal court for civil rights violations including unlawful detention. Without admitting liability, the city settled the case for $275,000.

7.         NEW YORK (Port Jefferson), ABC News, December 14, 2012
Sentencing day in hate crime beating of disabled man
http://abclocal.go.com/wabc/story?section=news/local/long_island&id=8919999
A Long Island man faces 15 years in prison for the brutal beating of a mentally challenged man. He admits punching the victim and kicking him into unconsciousness at a bus stop in June 2010. He told the judge he targeted his victim because he is African American and disabled.

8.         INTERNATIONAL (Kent, United Kingdom), Dailymail, December 14, 2012
Moment carer, 22, was caught red-handed stealing disabled man’s money from bedside after suspicious father set up a video camera in a wardrobe
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2248091/Moment-carer-Kayleigh-Spinks-22-caught-stealing-disabled-mans-money-bedside.html
The carer of a severely disabled man was captured on film stealing money from him after his suspicious father hid in a bedroom cupboard with a video camera. The victim’s parents hatched a plan to catch the crook who stole money from drawers in their home, which was being saved to buy a van to help transport their son. The suspect admitted two counts of theft and has been ordered to do 60 hours of unpaid work and pay £250 compensation.

RELATED ISSUES

1.         CALIFORNIA (Fontana), The Press-Enterprise, December 16, 2012
FONTANA: House fire kills disabled man, 63
http://www.pe.com/local-news/san-bernardino-county/san-bernardino-county-headlines-index/20121216-fontana-house-fire-kills-disabled-man.ece
A pre-dawn blaze that apparently started in a bedroom killed a disabled 63-year-old Fontana man and destroyed his home, San Bernardino County Fire Department and coroner’s officials said. The cause of the blaze is still being investigated. The man had a wheelchair in the residence that was found in a back room of the house.

2.         ILLINOIS (Chicago), Chicago Tribune, December 14, 2012
Man with dementia missing 3^rd time this year
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/breaking/chi-man-with-dementia-missing-3rd-time-this-year-20121214,0,1119202.story
A 71-year-old man with dementia is missing from his Southwest Side home, marking at least the third time this year he has been the subject of a police search. The man, who suffers from dementia and might appear confused, could be trying to go back to his former West Side neighborhood in the area of Warren Boulevard and Kedzie Avenue. He is described as African-American, 5-foot-5 and 160 pounds, with brown eyes, black and gray hair, and a dark complexion. He was last seen wearing a black leather jacket, blue jeans, brown boots and black skull cap.

3.         MICHIGAN (Detroit), Detroit News, December 14, 2012
Hope buoys search for Detroit woman with dementia missing in cold
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121214/METRO01/212140379/1409/metro/Hope-buoys-search-Detroit-woman-dementia-missing-cold
A 74-year-old woman who was diagnosed with dementia left her west side home on Dec. 1 and hasn’t returned. Her husband is leading search and rescue efforts to find her. Tipsters have reported seeing her at various locations, so her family remains hopeful. The family is now offering a $1,000 reward for information leading to the woman’s return.

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Funding Opportunities:

• December 18: Health (United States)
  • Brief proposals for grants through the Public Health Services and Systems Research project, administered by the National Network of Public Health Institutes with support from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. Grants will support studies that improve the performance and health of the public health system. Comprehensive studies will be awarded up to $450,000 each and short-term studies up to $200,000 each.
  • Who may apply: nonprofit organizations that are tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code and are not private foundations of non-functionally integrated Type III supporting organizations. The foundations will give preference to proposals submitted by multidisciplinary teams that include state, local, and/or tribal public health agencies; nonprofit organizations; or academic institutions.
  • Contact: Erica Johnson, National Network of Public Health Institutes
    1515 Poydras Street, Suite 1490
    New Orleans, LA 70112
    phssr@nnphi.org
    http://nnphi.org/program-areas/research-and-evaluation-phssr/calls-for-proposals/phssr-annual-solicitation-2012

• December 31: Volunteerism (United States)
  • Nominations accepted for the Stand and Deliver Awards given by Merz Aesthetics, a division of Merz Pharma Group. The awards will go to women who are changing their communities one day at a time through their support of a nonprofit organization classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Three finalists will be chosen through online voting open to the public, with one woman winning $10,000 for the charity of her choice.
  • Contact: Merz Aesthetics
    http://www.asclera.com/standanddeliver

• January 7: Other (District of Columbia, Maryland, Virginia)
  • Applications for The Washington Post 2013 Award for Excellence in Nonprofit Management, administered by the Center for Nonprofit Advancement and sponsored by The Washington Post. The award recognizes outstanding management at nonprofit organizations in the metropolitan Washington area. One group will receive $10,000 and a scholarship to the Georgetown University Center for Public and Nonprofit Leadership. Up to four groups will each receive honorable mentions and $2,500. Additional information is available on the center’s Web site.
  • Who may apply: organizations in the metropolitan Washington area that are classified as tax-exempt under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
  • Contact: Center for Nonprofit Advancement
    1666 K Street, N.W., Suite 440
    Washington, D.C. 20006
    (202) 457-0540
    http://www.nonprofitadvancement.org/PostAward2013

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

·       The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) released their famous 2012 Tool Kit on dementia education on November 1, 2012. http://www.nccdp.org/staff-education-week.htm For the fifth year, they will host Alzheimer’s and Dementia Staff Education Week February 14-21, 2013

·       The 6^th 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

An archived collection of previous newsfeeds is available here:
http://nceagov.posterous.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

Like us on Facebook!

NCEA Newsfeed – Friday, December 14, 2012

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!

Calendar of upcoming elder abuse and neglect events can be found at the bottom of the newsfeed.

 ***************************************************************************************

ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED

1.         ALABAMA (Little Rock), WRBL, December 10, 2012
Criminal penalties for elder abuse in AL.
http://www2.wrbl.com/news/2012/dec/10/criminal-penalties-elder-abuse-al-ar-5144367/
Two bills proposed for the next Alabama legislative session will provide additional criminal penalties for the abuse, neglect and financial exploitation of older citizens (defined as people over age 60). One bill would set up misdemeanor and felony penalties for abusing or neglecting the elderly. Another bill would establish misdemeanor and felony penalties for exploiting the elderly through deception, intimidation, undue influence, force or threat of force.

2.         COLORADO (Boulder), Daily Camera, December 10, 2012
Man pleads guilty to stealing from elderly Boulder mother-in-law
http://www.dailycamera.com/news/boulder/ci_22162230/man-pleads-guilty-stealing-from-elderly-boulder-mother?IADID=Search-www.dailycamera.com-www.dailycamera.com
A Boulder man has pleaded guilty to felony and misdemeanor theft for stealing from his elderly mother-in-law. His mother-in-law, a 94-year-old retired University of Colorado professor, suffers from dementia and is in nursing care. The man drained his mother-in-law’s assets, took out loans on her house and stopped paying for her nursing care, taking about $578,000. He faces up to six years in jail.

3.         MAINE (Bangor), Bangor Daily News, December 11, 2012
Official: 85 percent of elders abused in Maine never report it
http://bangordailynews.com/2012/12/11/news/state/85-percent-of-elders-abused-in-maine-never-report-it/?ref=videos
There are an estimated 14,000 new reports of elder abuse in Maine every year, which, according to Ricker Hamilton, director of the Maine Office of Aging and Disability Services, represents only about 15 percent of instances of elder abuse that actually happen.

4.         MINNESOTA (St. Paul), Twin Cities, December 10, 2012
Man charged with neglecting, exploiting his ailing aunt dies
http://www.twincities.com/localnews/ci_22162083/st-paul-man-charged-exploiting-ailing-aunt-is
A month after he was charged with seven felonies alleging financial exploitation of his 92-year-old aunt, a St. Paul man has died, according to an official with the Department of Public Health, which maintains death records. He was charged in February with gross misdemeanor criminal neglect after medical personnel on Aug. 8, 2011, found his aunt with a bedsore and dried feces on her body. She reported being "in pain everywhere," according to the complaint.

5.         OREGON (Albany), Albany Tribune, December 11, 2012
Elderly and Disabled Oregonians Often Victims Of Financial Exploitation and Self-Neglect
http://www.albanytribune.com/11122012-elderly-and-disabled-oregonians-often-victims-of-financial-exploitation-and-self-neglect/
Financial exploitation and self-neglect are the two areas of abuse and neglect with the greatest number of victims among elderly and disabled Oregonians. These are the findings of the 2011 Adult Protective Services report that was introduced Monday at the joint meeting of the House and Senate Judiciary Committee.

6.         PENNSYLVANIA (Philadelphia), Philly Burbs, December 13, 2012
State: Suspects in elder abuse case should not have been working at assisted living center
http://www.phillyburbs.com/news/local/courier_times_news/state-suspects-in-elder-abuse-case-should-not-have-been/article_f445b16e-116a-5989-af06-a0426731f7da.html
One of two Philadelphia women charged with abusing an 83-year-old resident of a Lower Southampton assisted living center shouldn’t have been working there, and the second woman should not have been unsupervised while working with residents, according to state regulatory officials. The two women were both caught in multiple incidents of abuse and mistreatment by a hidden camera. One should not have been hired, as she does not have a high school diploma or equivalency degree. The other did not complete a training required before providing unsupervised living services.

7.         PENNSYLVANIA (Philadelphia), KSEE 24, December 13, 2012
Nursing Home Workers Caught on Cam Abusing Patients
http://www.ksee24.com/news/local/Nursing-Home-Workers-Caught-on-Cam-Abusing-Patients-183410731.html
Two former workers at a Pennsylvania nursing home are in jail after police say they were caught on camera abusing an elderly patient. Investigators say the abuse happened at the Arbors at Buck Run, a nursing home in Bucks County, Pa. The daughter of a patient at Arbors became suspicious about how her mother was being treated and decided to take action, according to investigators.

8.         SOUTH CAROLINA (Mount Pleasant), Mount Pleasant Patch, December 12, 2012
Man Accused of Elder Abuse Out on Bond
http://mountpleasant-sc.patch.com/articles/man-accused-of-elder-abuse-out-on-bond
A former Mount Pleasant nursing home aide has been released after posting a $100,000 bond on charges that he abused a 101-year-old bedridden man. At least some of the alleged abuse was captured on a hidden camera set up by the victim's granddaughter, according to media reports. The hidden camera shows images of Kimbrough shaking, taunting and harassing the elderly man.

9.         SOUTH CAROLINA (Mount Pleasant), ABC News 4, December 11, 2012
Nursing home employee arrested for abusing elderly man
http://www.abcnews4.com/story/20314766/nursing-home-employee
A nursing home employee was arrested after a 101-year-old resident said the man poured detergent into his eyes and sexually assaulted him. According to police, the victim's granddaughter hired a private investigator after a series of complaints by her grandfather. The investigator installed a hidden camera in the victim's room.

10.       TEXAS (Corpus Christi), Caller.com, December 12, 2012
Adult Protective Services, WellMed partner to target elder abuse
http://www.caller.com/news/2012/dec/12/adult-protective-services-wellmed-partner-to/
The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded a $907,000 grant to the Texas Department of Family Protective Services, in partnership with the WellMed Charitable Foundation, the Benjamin Rose Institute on Aging and the Elder Justice Coalition. The grant, among the first awarded as part of the Elder Justice Act of 2010, will fund an elder abuse prevention and intervention initiative at WellMed clinics in five Texas markets.

11.       TEXAS (Dallas), Dallas News, December 9, 2012
Be extra protective of elders’ money during the holidays
http://www.dallasnews.com/business/columnists/pamela-yip/20121209-be-extra-protective-of-elders-money-during-the-holidays.ece
Thieves work overtime this time of the year, and a prime target is the elderly. “There are a lot of different things at play this time of year that make it critical to have this conversation,” said Sandy Markwood, chief executive of the National Association of Area Agencies on Aging. “One thing is that we saw an increase in financial exploitation of older adults just because of the economic downturn, and people were looking at preying on anybody to get additional resources. But the other issue is at this time of year, there is just an awful lot of spending activity and oftentimes, it’s easy to pick up somebody’s personal information, their credit card information and maybe not to pay attention as closely if somebody has one of your checks and/or forged your signature.” she said.

12.       VIRGINIA (Staunton), WHSV, December 13, 2012
Another Case of Elder Abuse at Retirement Community
http://www.whsv.com/news/headlines/Another-Case-of-Elder-Abuse-at--183255652.html?ref=652
A former resident of Envoy Home in Staunton, Virginia pleaded guilty to sexually molesting an elderly woman and will now spend a year in prison.  The Staunton Senior Center started a program to prevent elderly abuse in the Valley about a year and a half ago. That way, managers hope to prevent more cases in our area by teaching families what signs to monitor.

13.       INTERNATIONAL (Lancaster, United Kingdom), BBC, December 13, 2012
Hillcroft nursing home staff charged with abuse of residents
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-lancashire-20710773
Three men and a woman have been charged with mistreating vulnerable elderly residents at a care home near Lancaster. The former employees are accused of a total of 19 offences under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 of being a carer involved in the ill-treatment and wilful neglect of a person with lack of capacity.

ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

1.         CALIFORNIA (Placer County), Fox 40, December 13, 2012
Deputies: Man who Raped Disabled Woman Now in Custody
http://fox40.com/2012/12/13/deputies-man-who-raped-disabled-woman-now-in-custody/
A man accused of getting a mentally-disabled patient at a nursing home pregnant last year is now in custody. The alleged victim is severely handicapped and legally blind. The suspect was arrested Thursday morning in Sacramento and was booked on a rape charge. He is being held on a $150,000 bail.

2.         FLORIDA (Indian River County), ABA Journal, December 13, 2012
Man Who Police Say Posted Facebook Video of Disabled Man Being Punched Is Charged in Attack
http://www.abajournal.com/news/article/man_who_allegedly_posted_facebook_video_of_disabled_man_being_punched_is_ch/
A Florida man posted a video on Facebook of a homeless man being punched in the face. Although the homeless man told authorities he didn’t recall being punched, police were able to file charges of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult against the cameraman and another suspect. Additionally, a misdemeanor battery charge was filed against the cameraman, and the other suspect faces a charge of felony battery with a prior conviction.

3.         MARYLAND (Windsor Mill), wings Mills Patch, December 13, 2012
Windsor Mill Man Indicted for Abuse of Disabled Adult
http://owingsmills.patch.com/articles/windsor-mill-man-indicted-for-abuse-of-disabled-adult
A Windsor Mill man was indicted and charged with assaulting and abusing a vulnerable adult in an October incident in which the disabled adult was assaulted and strangled.

4.         MISSOURI (Columbia), Columbia Missourian, December 10, 2012
Columbia woman charged with financial exploitation is sentenced to prison
http://www.columbiamissourian.com/a/156794/columbia-woman-charged-with-financial-exploitation-is-sentenced-to-prison/
Columbia woman who pleaded guilty in October to financially exploiting a person with a disability will serve four months in prison and will then be placed on probation so she can begin to pay back the woman she bilked out of tens 0f thousands of dollars.

3.         MISSOURI (Columbia), Columbia Tribune, December 11, 2012
Woman sentenced for swindling disabled victim
http://www.columbiatribune.com/news/2012/dec/11/woman-sentenced-for-swindling-disabled-victim/
A Columbia woman who in 2010 took thousands of dollars from a mentally disabled woman through intimidation was sentenced yesterday to probation instead of prison so she can pay back the victim. The woman pleaded guilty to felony financial exploitation of an elderly/disabled person and was sentenced to eight years in prison. Circuit Judge Christine Carpenter ordered her to serve 120 days in jail. If she completes that satisfactorily, she can be released on probation and would be required to pay $400 in restitution each month.

RELATED ISSUES

1.         MICHIGAN (Farmington Hills), Detroit News, December 8, 2012
Missing man with dementia from Farmington Hills found
http://www.detroitnews.com/article/20121208/METRO02/212080369
A 79-year-old Farmington Hills man with dementia who was reported missing by his family on Thursday was found in Livonia Saturday morning.

2.         MICHIGAN (Grand Rapids), WoodTV, December 12, 2012
Grand Rapids man found after 5 days
http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/local/grand_rapids/grpd-missing-man-has-mild-dementia
 A Grand Rapids man diagnosed with dementia has been found safe after disappearing last week. 

3.         INTERNATIONAL (Blairgowrie, United Kingdom), The Courier, December 13, 2012
‘Very frail’ dementia patient (90) who left Ninewells Hospital found in Fife after search
http://www.thecourier.co.uk/News/Dundee/article/26376/very-frail-dementia-patient-aged-90-who-left-ninewells-hospital-found-in-fife-after-search.html
Catherine Knoll disappeared from the Area 6 outpatient clinic at around 1pm yesterday, after she was driven there from her Blairgowrie home by the Patient Transport Service. She was discovered 16 miles away in St Andrews several hours later — 32 miles from home. Police are unsure how she got to Fife but it is thought she wandered out of the hospital and boarded public transport.

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

·       The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) released their famous 2012 Tool Kit on dementia education on November 1, 2012. http://www.nccdp.org/staff-education-week.htm For the fifth year, they will host Alzheimer’s and Dementia Staff Education Week February 14-21, 2013

·       The 6^th 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

 An archived collection of previous newsfeeds is available here:
http://nceagov.posterous.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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