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!
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ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED
1. CALIFORNIA (Cameron Park), Sacramento Bee, March 16, 2012
Nurses face felony charges in death of Cameron Park man’s wife
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/16/4342517/nurses-face-felony-charges-in.html
An 81-year-old Cameron Park man who served during three wars won the fight of his life this week when California's attorney general charged two nurses with felony elder abuse in connection with the 2008 death of his beloved wife, who had suffered from both physical abuse and criminal neglect.
2. CALIFORNIA (El Dorado), Lompoc Record, March 16, 2012
2 El Dorado County nurses charged with elder abuse
http://www.lompocrecord.com/news/state-and-regional/el-dorado-co-nurses-charged-with-elder-abuse/article_b06898a7-0526-5f55-9068-d93e86700ad3.html
Prosecutors charged two nursing home workers with felony elder abuse after a 77-year-old woman was neglected at a Placerville facility shortly before she died in 2008. The elderly woman, who suffered from chronic constipation, died at a hospital after suffering severe fecal impaction, and doctors also found unexplained bruising on her body.
3. CALIFORNIA (Lodi), Sacramento Bee, March 19, 2012
Lodi police said nurse imposters took credit card from man
http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/archives/2012/03/lodi-police-said-nurse-imposters-took-credit-card-from-man.html
Two women were arrested by Lodi police on suspicion of stealing from an elderly man while they posed as medical workers. At least one other person, a woman in Galt, was targeted by the pair, police said.
4. CALIFORNIA (Long Beach), OC Breeze, March 17, 2012
Long Beach man pleads guilty to grand theft
http://www.oc-breeze.com/2012/03/17/10602_long-beach-man-pleads-guilty-to-grand-theft/
A man was convicted today of stealing $302,000 from investors by fraudulently promising to buy and re-sell foreclosed homes for a profit. The suspect pled guilty to two felony counts of grand theft, one felony count of untrue statements in connection with a purchase or sale of securities and the use of a scheme to defraud, one felony count of financial exploitation of an elder, and a sentencing enhancement for property loss exceeding $200,000
5. CALIFORNIA (Placerville), The Republic, March 16, 2012
2 El Dorado County nursing home workers charged with felony elder abuse of patient
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/cdd58a4fecdf4315a36cd1bf465d401e/CA--Nursing-Home-Death/
Prosecutors charged two nursing home workers with felony elder abuse after a 77-year-old woman was neglected at a Placerville facility shortly before she died in 2008. The victim was an Alzheimer's patient who spent two weeks at the El Dorado Care Center to recover from pneumonia.
6. COLORADO (Denver), Denver Post, March 15, 2012
Colorado Senate panel OKs task force on elder abuse
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_20184491/senate-panel-oks-task-force-elder-abuse
A Senate committee approved a bill Thursday that would create a task force to study the reporting of abuse and neglect of at-risk adults — legislation even the bill's sponsor said didn't do as much as she would like to protect vulnerable populations.
7. CONNECTICUT (Stratford), Acorn Online, March 19, 2012
Event to focus on fraud and scam prevention for seniors
http://www.acorn-online.com/joomla15/thebridgeportnews/community/117456-event-to-focus-on-fraud-and-scam-prevention-for-seniors.html
The event, “Fraud & Scams,” will be presented by People’s United Bank, whose Masters Program is recognized nationally for its leadership in initiating crime prevention and awareness programs for senior citizens. The event is free and open to the public.
8. IOWA (Iowa City), KCRG, March 17, 2012
2 Iowa City Nursing Homes Consistently Receive Low Marks
http://www.kcrg.com/news/local/2-Iowa-City-Nursing-Homes-Consistently-Receive-Low-Marks-143046296.html
Most of the 14 nursing homes in the Iowa City area are making the grade under federal quality ratings, but two facilities with higher-than-average health inspection deficiencies have consistently received failing scores over the past three years, an analysis of government ratings shows.
9. MASSACHUSETTS (Dartmouth), Sacramento Bee, March 16, 2012
No negligence found in Mass. Centenarian death
http://www.sacbee.com/2012/03/16/4343089/no-negligence-found-in-mass-centenarian.html
An arbitrator has found no negligence by a Massachusetts nursing home in a wrongful death lawsuit brought by the family of a 100-year-old woman who prosecutors say was killed by her 98-year-old roommate. The family of the victim plans to appeal this ruling.
10. MICHIGAN (Berrien County), Niles Star, March 14, 2012
Rep Sharon Tyler: Strengthening protection for the elderly
http://www.nilesstar.com/2012/03/14/rep-sharon-tyler-strengthening-protection-for-the-elderly/
Recently, a package of bills was introduced to the House to help increase the reporting of elder abuse in Michigan and strengthen penalties for those convicted of abuse. Senate Bills 454-468 focus on strengthening protection for vulnerable and at-risk senior citizens without overburdening guardians.
11. OHIO (Columbus), Lancaster Eagle Gazette, March 19, 2012
Ohio cities not prepared for baby boomer flood
http://www.lancastereaglegazette.com/usatoday/article/38841881?odyssey=mod%7Cnewswell%7Ctext%7CFrontpage%7Cs
Researchers say that just eight years from now, a quarter of all residents in half of the state’s 88 counties will be 60 or older. Federal funding through the Older Americans Act hasn’t kept pace with inflation, let alone the spike in the elderly population.
12. OHIO (West Chester), Fox 19, March 19, 2012
Elder Abuse and Fraud Workshop offered March 31
http://westchester.fox19.com/news/crime/88367-elder-abuse-and-fraud-workshop-offered-march-31
In honor of Butler County Prosecutor’s Elder Abuse Awareness Month, The West Chester Township Police Department will offer an Elder Abuse and Fraud Workshop on March 31.
13. OHIO (Youngstown), Vindy.com, March 14, 2012
Statistics tell dramatic aging story in Mahoning Valley
http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/mar/14/statistics-tell-dramatic-aging-story/
The impact of a growing older population is also growing the need for services in the face of funding cuts. For instance, funding from the federal Older Americans Act was reduced $180,000 for 2012, and a 46 percent cut in state dollars for the year.
14. OKLAHOMA (Oklahoma City), KFOR, March 15, 2012
New bill to protect elderly, vulnerable
http://www.kfor.com/news/local/kfor-new-bill-to-protect-elderly-vulnerable-20120315,0,1828137.story
House Bill 2582 would require long-term care job applicants to have their fingerprints taken for a criminal background check.
15. TENNESSEE (Monroe County), WBIR, March 16, 2012
Update: Autopsy confirms elderly woman's death caused by caregiver's attack
http://www.wbir.com/news/article/211216/2/Update-Autopsy-confirms-elderly-womans-death-caused-by-caregivers-attack?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cbc%7Clarge
Preliminary autopsy results show that a senior citizen who died after being attacked by her live-in caretaker did in fact die of injuries sustained in that attack, says the Monroe County Sheriff's Office. The suspect was originally charged with aggravated assault, but her charges have since been upgraded to second degree murder and elder abuse.
16. VERMONT (Montpelier), The Republic, March 19, 2012
Vermont court hears bid to dismiss lawsuit for failures in Adult Protective Services
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/89d711bfe597410dbba79561ae069e1c/VT--Elder-Abuse/
The state has filed a motion to dismiss a suit brought against the state by Vermont Legal Aid for the groups Disability Rights Vermont and the Community of Vermont Elders on the grounds that the people named as bringing suit haven’t suffered any injuries.
17. INTERNATIONAL (Ottawa, Canada), Canada.com, March 17, 2012
Stiffer sentences won’t fix problem of elder abuse
http://www2.canada.com/nanaimodailynews/news/story.html?id=425ee256-a6ef-4a40-9d38-ebe32794ce60
A Canadian politician predicts that stiffer sentences for elder abuse won’t prevent the incidents because it doesn’t address the root cause of elder abuse.
18. INTERNATIONAL (Ottawa, Canada), The Star, March 19, 2012
Protecting seniors from elder abuse takes more than justice legislation
http://www.thestar.com/opinion/editorials/article/1147823--protecting-seniors-from-elder-abuse-takes-more-than-justice-legislation
Experts agree that, in addition to legislation, individual provinces in Canada will have to provide improved services to older adults in order to effectively tackle the issue of elder abuse.
19. INTERNATIONAL (Ottawa, Canada), The Chronicle Herald, March 19, 2012
Elder abuse
http://thechronicleherald.ca/editorials/75007-elder-abuse
This article covers recent bill proposals by the Canadian government to both improve training and pay for institutional caregivers, and stiffen criminal penalties against those who target the elderly for abuse.
20. INTERNATIONAL (Toronto, Canada), Carman Valley Leader, March 17, 2012
Feds toughen sentences for elderly abuse
http://www.carmanvalleyleader.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3503748
Ottawa is introducing legislation requiring the courts to take a victim’s age and vulnerability into account during sentencing.
21. INTERNATIONAL (London, United Kingdom), Digital Spy, March 19, 2012
‘Emmerdale’ Gemma Oaten: ‘Ashley, Sandy abuse plot is heartbreaking’
http://www.digitalspy.com/soaps/s12/emmerdale/news/a371905/emmerdale-gemma-oaten-ashley-sandy-abuse-plot-is-heartbreaking.html
The soap opera, ‘Emmerdale,’ will feature a story arc on elder abuse. In preparation, writers and actors did extensive research, which included looking into Action on Elder Abuse, a charity for the protection of vulnerable older people.
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National Center on Elder Abuse
Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse & Neglect
University of California, Irvine
101 The City Drive South
Bldg 200, Suite 835
Orange, CA 92868
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