NCEA Newsfeed – Monday, December 3, 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.
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ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED
1. NATIONAL, Consumer Reports, January 2013
Protecting Mom & Dad’s Money: What to do when you suspect financial abuse
http://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2013/01/protecting-mom-dad-s-money/index.htm
This article advises adult children of older adults on what to do when they suspect that their parents are being financially exploited. The author cites experts in the field of elder abuse, and offers resources from the NCEA and from the National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA).
2. NATIONAL, NBC Vitals, December 3, 2012
Why older people fall for scams: It’s all in the brain
http://vitals.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/12/03/15649600-why-older-people-fall-for-scams-its-all-in-the-brain
Gerontologists and crime experts agree the elderly are more vulnerable to fraud and many have assumed it’s because of diminished brain capacity, as well as because retired people often have more assets and more time on their hands. But new research suggests that older people's vulnerability might have more to do with the way older brains process visual cues.
3. ALABAMA (Birmingham), My Fox Alabama, November 28, 2012
Tips to avoid scams that target senior citizens
http://www.myfoxal.com/story/20210479/tips-to-avoid-scams-that-target-senior-citizens
During the holidays, the number of elder fraud claims in Alabama spikes. In an effort to protect potential fraud victims, a town hall meeting was held in Mountain Brook where about 50 people had the chance to hear about scams that target senior citizens.
4. CALIFORNIA (Lake Murray), La Mesa-Mount Helix Patch, November 30, 2012
Pair Accused of Assaulting Elderly Man in Lake Murray Plead Not Guilty
http://lamesa.patch.com/articles/pair-accused-of-assaulting-elderly-man-in-lake-murray-plead-not-guilty
A 23-year-old man and a 17-year-old boy accused of breaking into a Lake Murray home and beating an 80-year-old man over the head with metal tool pleaded not guilty Friday to multiple charges, including robbery, burglary, elder abuse and false imprisonment of an elder.
5. CONNECTICUT (Hartford), Hartford Courant, November 29, 2012
New Report Underscores Gaps In National Strategy On Elder Financial Abuse
http://articles.courant.com/2012-11-29/news/hc-elder-financial-abuse-20121129_1_financial-exploitation-bank-records-report
A new government report highlights the need for better collaboration among federal agencies, banks and state authorities to combat elder financial abuse. The report by the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) cites estimates that seniors lose at least $2.9 billion a year to financial abuse and exploitation, and that less than a third of cases are reported to authorities. The report exposes gaps in the nation's strategy for preventing and prosecuting elder financial exploitation, including problems in sustaining collaborations between agencies, obtaining data on abuse, and developing expertise in financial exploitation.
6. OHIO (Canton), Vindy.com, December 3, 2012
Facilities skirt prosecution in many elder-abuse cases
http://www.vindy.com/news/2012/dec/03/facilities-skirt-prosecution-in-many-eld/
In 2011, the Ohio Department of Health cited Ohio nursing homes 198 times for failing to adequately report abuse or neglect, or hiring someone with a history of abusing or neglecting patients. Also, facilities were cited 46 times for failing to keep patients free of “verbal, sexual, physical, and mental abuse, corporal punishment, and involuntary seclusion.” Even in cases where the police do get involved, investigations often don’t lead to criminal charges.
7. OHIO (Toledo), Toledo Blade, December 2, 2012 (Opinion)
Shameful care
http://www.toledoblade.com/Editorials/2012/12/02/Shameful-care.html
A Toledo nursing home’s appeal of state censure for the sexual abuse of a partially paralyzed patient raises troubling questions about the ability of the Ohio Department of Health to monitor and regulate the care of some of our state’s most vulnerable residents. The state must do more to prevent problems in the 966 nursing homes it licenses.
8. OKLAHOMA (Oklahoma City), News 9, November 30, 2012
Caught on Tape: Elderly Woman Tortured in OKC Nursing Home
http://www.news9.com/story/20232384/caught-on-tape-elderly-woman-tortured-in-okc-nursing-home
Horrible torture of an elderly woman in a nursing home is caught on tape. A woman who committed the abuse has been tried and convicted. The tape shows two workers tapping the victim on the back of the head, taunting her, jerking her out of her wheelchair, then shoving her head to apparently get her to lay down.
9. OKLAHOMA (Oklahoma City), Freedom43TV, December 3, 2012
Hidden camera captures nursing home abuse
http://freedom43tv.com/2012/12/03/hidden-camera-captures-nursing-home-abuse/
A disturbing case of abuse is caught on camera. The video was released Monday by the family of the victim. The video shows suspects shoving wadded up latex gloves into a 96-year-old woman’s mouth. One suspect has pleaded guilty to charges of elder abuse, while the other remains on the run from the law.
10. PENNSYLVANIA (Schuylkill), Republican Herald, November 30, 2012
SEAPA reaches out to medical professionals
http://republicanherald.com/news/seapa-reaches-out-to-medical-professionals-1.1410243
The Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance sponsored a presentation for Marshall-Rismiller & Associates during lunch Thursday to discuss signs of possible elder abuse, where and how to report it, and community resources. Marshall-Rismiller & Associates is an internal medicine and family practice based in Pottsville and Pine Grove. SEAPA board members talked about both physical and financial abuse.
11. VIRGINIA (McLean), Washington Post, November 29, 2012
Guardianship case in McLean illustrates lack of regulation for those caring for the elderly
http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/guardianship-case-in-mclean-illustrates-lack-of-regulation-for-those-caring-for-the-elderly/2012/11/29/40a49bc2-ec65-11e1-a80b-9f898562d010_story.html?tid=wp_ipad
A recent case in Virginia sheds light on the complicated issue of elder guardianship. This case involves a couple accusing a law firm of charging exorbitant fees to become their legal guardians. The article discusses the lack of regulation regarding training requirements, fee caps, and abuse reporting.
12. WISCONSIN (Juneau County), Juneau County Star Times, December 2, 2012
Hearing set for woman accused of abusing nursing home patient
http://www.wiscnews.com/news/local/crime_and_courts/article_58ae589c-3cc0-11e2-8285-001a4bcf887a.html?comment_form=true
A Wonewoc woman charged in June with abuse of a patient at a New Lisbon nursing home demanded a preliminary hearing in Juneau County Circuit Court on Thursday. Two nursing assistants told police that they saw the suspect abuse the alleged victim at least once a week.
13. INTERNATIONAL (Windsor, Canada), The Windsor Star, November 30, 2012
Elderly woman’s common law husband and his friends spend years allegedly ripping her off
http://blogs.windsorstar.com/2012/11/30/lengthy-probe-leads-to-arrest-of-windsor-men-for-large-scale-rip-off-of-elderly-woman/
Investigators believe that a lonely senior’s much younger common law husband, and his friends, spent years methodically bilking the woman out of $200,000.
ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
1. ILLINOIS (Rockford), Rockford Register Star, December 2, 2012
Disabled man robbed at Rockford Wal-Mart
http://www.rrstar.com/updates/x1156350296/Handicapped-man-robbed-at-Rockford-Wal-Mart
A 63-year-old disabled man was robbed early this morning while loading groceries into his car at Wal-Mart, according to Rockford police. Police said the man was attacked from behind and fell to the ground. He was punched multiple times while he tried to fight off the assailant, police said.
2. IOWA (Davenport), Quad City Times, December 3, 2012
Woman charged with dependent adult abuse
http://qctimes.com/news/local/crime-and-courts/woman-charged-with-dependent-adult-abuse/article_623397ee-3d9a-11e2-91ca-0019bb2963f4.html?comment_form=true
A Davenport woman has been accused of stealing money and jewelry from victims while working as a certified nursing assistant at a Bettendorf senior facility. She was arrested on Monday on 14 counts of dependent adult abuse. Each charge is a Class D felony that is punishable in Iowa by up to five years in prison upon conviction.
3. MINNESOTA (St. Paul), Pierce County Herald, December 2, 2012
Minnesota AG Proposes vulnerable adult legislation
http://www.piercecountyherald.com/event/article/id/49763/group/News/
Minnesota Attorney General Lori Swanson is proposing legislation to better protect vulnerable adults under the care of guardians. It includes an improved background check process for guardians and conservators, and provides stronger financial safeguards for vulnerable adults. The proposed law would require background checks be conducted every two years, instead of every five years as current law requires.
4. INTERNATIONAL (London, England), Belfast Telegraph, November 30, 2012
Adult abuse cases increase by 23%
http://www.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/news/local-national/uk/adult-abuse-cases-increase-by-23-16244768.html
The number of reported cases of abuse against vulnerable adults rose by 23% in just one year, provisional figures show. There were a total of 130,000 cases of abuse reported to 121 councils in the same period. Of these, 108,000 cases were investigated by local authorities, according to provisional figures from the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC).
RELATED ISSUES
1. COLORADO (Colorado Springs), Denver Post, December 3, 2012
Police search for woman who may have dementia
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_22112671/police-search-woman-who-may-have-dementia
Colorado Springs police were looking for a missing 74-year-old woman early Sunday who officers say may be suffering from dementia. Family members told officers that Rosie Gonzalez, a 4’11” Latina, was last seen about 12:30 pm Saturday near an Albertsons. She was wearing a white blouse, black pants and a purple scarf.
2. MICHIGAN (Detroit), WXYZ, December 3, 2012
Detroit Police look for missing woman with dementia
http://www.wxyz.com/dpp/news/region/detroit/detroit-police-look-for-missing-woman-with-dementia
Detroit Police are asking for the public's help to find a missing woman. Joyce Friday was last seen on Saturday, December 1 at around 10:30 p.m. She suffers from dementia, and police say she walked away from her home without her medication. She was last seen wearing a long red coat.
3. OHIO (Columbus), NBC4, December 3, 2012
Man With Dementia Found Safe; Alert Cancelled
http://www2.nbc4i.com/news/2012/dec/03/3/man-dementia-reported-missing-east-columbus-ar-1262421/An endangered missing adult alert for an 85-year-old man who suffers from dementia was cancelled after he returned home safely.
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Upcoming Elder Abuse Conferences/Training Events (in chronological order):
· California District Attorneys Association 2012 National Elder Abuse Symposium (December 4-7, 2012) Guest speakers to include Paul Greenwood, San Diego County Deputy District Attorney, Bob Nichols, Retired Marin County Deputy District Attorney, and many more. http://www.cdaa.org/training/seminar-conference-registration?regevent_action=register&event_id=35
· The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care is hosting a virtual 25th Anniversary part to celebrate the Nursing Home Reform Law (NHRL) on Friday, December 14, 2012. This is a free event that will feature speakers discussing how the NHRL has made a difference and where we still need to go. Please register here: https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/registrations/new?cid=2z8ceulcrht5
· The National Council of Certified Dementia Practitioners (NCCDP) released their 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
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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