Newsfeed – Friday, January 31, 2014
The newsfeed includes articles and stories related to abuse of elders and adults with disabilities. Articles related to elders appear in the top half of the newsfeed. Articles related to abuse of adults with disabilities appear towards the bottom. To subscribe to the NCEA listserv, please send an email with your name, occupation, your organization/agency name, city and state, and a statement about your professional interest or expertise in elder abuse to NCEA@UCI.edu. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter! An archived collection of previous newsfeeds is available here: http://ncea.posthaven.com/
A calendar of upcoming elder abuse and neglect events and funding opportunities can be found at the bottom of the newsfeed.
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ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED
NATIONAL, Digital Journal, January 29, 2014
NAELA supports need to protect veterans against fraud; response to GAO reports
http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/1708608
Reuters recently shed light on the recurring problem of veterans fraud in their article on the case ruling for an Ohio man convicted of running a fake charity for U.S. Navy veterans. Reports from the Government Accountability Office (GAO) highlight the need to protect vulnerable veterans from fraud and abuse through education, rulemaking and/or legislation, as well as the need to ensure that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) programs serve those in the greatest need.
IOWA (Mapleton), Press-Citizen, January 28, 2014
Disabled vet dropped off, left at unfurnished home
http://www.press-citizen.com/viewart/20140128/NEWS01/140128009/
A disabled Navy veteran was dropped off in an unfurnished apartment with no food or medication after being involuntarily discharged by a western Iowa nursing home, according to a state report. The federal government fined Elmwood Care Centre in Onawa more than $5,700 for its care of 65-year-old John Chedester, The Des Moines Register reported. The incident became public last month when state inspectors issued a report on Chedester's case.
KENTUCKY (Danville), The Advocate Messenger, January 29, 2014
Couple on trial for exploitation of Boyle woman
In his cross examination of Danville police Detective A.J. Mullins Wednesday, defense attorney Travis Lock suggested Anne and Benjamin Rush would not be on trial for exploitation of an adult if Mullins had a better understanding of the “gifting provisions” that come with the power of attorney. The Rushes are accused of bilking Anne Rush’s grandmother out of several thousands of dollars and some property while they were caring for her in her dying years and after she was placed in a nursing home.
MAINE (Augusta), Bangor Daily News, January 31, 2014
Attorney general forms task force to combat elder financial abuse in Maine
Attorney General Janet Mills announced Friday that her office has launched a new initiative with Legal Services for the Elderly to protect older Mainers from financial abuse. Mills said in a written statement that she and the group have created a statewide task force to answer questions ranging from whether the court system is accessible to elderly Mainers to whether the state’s law enforcement community is adequately trained to investigate cases of elder abuse.
MARYLAND (Salisbury), Delmarva Now, January 31, 2014
Salisbury man sentenced to 20 years in counterfeit case involving elderly man
http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20140131/NEWS/301310034?nclick_check=1
A 42-year-old Salisbury man was sentenced to 20 years in prison Thursday in connection with a counterfeit case dating back to March involving a 92-year-old man, the Wicomico County State’s Attorney’s Office said. Facts indicated at trial that David Suire, who was on parole, was hired by the elderly man in Wicomico County to perform home improvement work, and Suire got at least two checks from the victim, wrote them out to himself and cashed them, the State’s Attorney’s Office said.
MISSOURI (Lincoln County), KMOV, January 30, 2014
Couple charged with elder abuse, exploitation in Lincoln county
Authorities have arrested a Lincoln County man accused of assaulting his grandmother Monday night. According to investigators, Mark Kerpash flew into a rage and threatened to kill his 87-year-old grandmother after she refused to write him a $500 dollar check.
NORTH CAROLINA (Charlotte), WSOCTV, January 31, 2014
9 Investigates: Families accuse local nursing facilities of abuse
Local families are speaking out about what they call neglect, abuse and poor conditions inside some nursing homes operating as Brian Centers across North Carolina. A Channel 9 review of hundreds of federal Medicare records revealed reports of similar quality-of-care deficiencies at the more than two dozen Brian Centers across North Carolina.
NORTH DAKOTA (Fargo), In Forum: The Forum of Fargo-Moorhead, January 31, 2014
Watchful loved ones, communities are key for protecting seniors from financial exploitation
http://www.inforum.com/event/article/id/425266/group/Life/
Area efforts have focused on raising awareness about elder abuse. Sessions have trained law enforcement, victim services and financial institutions to spot it. Abusers utilize isolation, says Shelly Carlson, Elder Abuse Project coordinator for Fargo’s Rape and Abuse Crisis Center. They may hover when people visit, or speak on the senior’s behalf. Fargo Police Detective Leo Rognlin says it’s important family or friends call adult protective services or law enforcement if they’re concerned a senior is being exploited financially.
OREGON (Portland), The Columbian, January 28, 2014
Portland man appears in court in Native American art theft
http://www.columbian.com/news/2014/jan/28/portland-man-appears-in-court-in-native-american-a/
A Portland man appeared Tuesday in Clark County Superior Court on suspicion of stealing Native American artwork worth more than $300,000 from an elderly Vancouver woman’s home, where he worked as an in-home care provider. John L. Kalamafoni, 22, and his girlfriend, Toakase F. Tovo, 19, allegedly stole more than 130 pieces of artwork in 2011 and 2012 from 91-year-old woman, who has dementia. They sold the items to collectors and antiques dealers around the Portland area, according to a court affidavit.
PENNSYLVANIA, York Dispatch, January 31, 2014
Sen. Casey launches Web page to help Pennsylvania seniors
U.S. Senator Bob Casey has launched a Web page of resources for seniors embarrassed to report abuse or who are ready to battle back against crimes committed against them. Information for prevention, reporting crimes and contacting state and federal agencies for assistance are provided at www.casey.senate.gov/issues/seniors/scams.
WASHINGTON (Spokane), KHQ, January 30, 2014
Connect with Kleck: A scam checklist for senior citizens
http://www.khq.com/story/24583090/connect-with-kleck-a-scam-checklist-for-senior-citizens
Through his Connect With Kleck resources, Dan Kleckner has compiled a scam checklist. This checklist is meant to give seniors, and everyone else, a reference point when it comes to spotting a scam, speaking to a scammer, and ultimately, preventing that scam. You can laminate this checklist if preferred, and place it by the phone, next to the computer, or on an office desk— places where it can be easily referenced.
WEST VIRGINIA (Martinsburg), Herald Mail Media, January 30, 2014
Martinsburg man accused of kidnapping 74-year-old Jefferson County woman
A 49-year-old Martinsburg man is accused of kidnapping an elderly Jefferson County woman and holding her captive for 10 days in a violent extortion attempt, West Virginia State Police said Thursday. While being treated at a hospital for injuries, including at least one broken bone and large bruises on her legs and arms, the victim said the defendant forced his way into her home, tackled her to the floor and beat her with a piece of wood, Hill said in a criminal complaint.
INTERNATIONAL (Hamilton, Canada), CBC, January 29, 2014
Hamilton man charged in neglect of his 82-year-old mother
Police have charged a Hamilton man with failing to provide the necessities of life for his elderly mother. A 82-year-old woman showing “serious medical concerns and signs of neglect” was admitted to hospital on Saturday, police said in the statement.
INTERNATIONAL (India), The Times of India, January 29, 2014
Govt sits on senior citizens’ act as elder abuse rises in Assam
Despite growing incidents of abuse of elderly persons in the state, especially in the capital, the state government is yet to implement the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) enquired into the state's neglect of its senior citizens and sought a reply from the government by February.
INTERNATIONAL (Japan), Japan Daily Press, January 30, 2014
Nearly 600 dementia patients died or unaccounted for in Japan last 2012
A nationwide survey done by the Mainichi Shimbun has underscored the gravity of the problem Japan has with people who suffer from dementia. According to the survey, a total of 578 people – either diagnosed with dementia or suspected of suffering from the disease – were confirmed to have died or remained unaccounted for after going missing in 2012.
ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
CALIFORNIA (San Juan Capistrano), OC Weekly, January 30, 2014
Jason Redmer’s O.D. Death at West Coast Detox draws suit against closed rehab and its owner
http://blogs.ocweekly.com/navelgazing/2014/01/jason_redmer_west_coast_detox_1.php
Lynne Redmer, the mother of Jason Redmer, alleges breach of contract, fraud, unlawful business practices, wrongful death and dependent adult neglect in the lawsuit against West Coast Detox Services and its owner Don Ramsey. Jason Redmer was admitted to the facility in April 2012 for medically supervised detox, but four days later the 28-year-old was found unresponsive in his bed by a roommate and later declared dead at the scene by emergency medical personnel.
WISCONSIN (Beloit), Madison, January 30, 2014
Beloit nurse sentenced for Medicaid fraud
A Beloit private duty nurse has been sentenced to three years' probation for Medicaid fraud. Lara Skrzypczynski, 45, was sentenced on Friday in Walworth County Circuit Court after pleading guilty in December to one count of Medicaid fraud and one count of falsification of patient health care records.
RELATED ISSUES
GEORGIA (Atlanta), My Fox Atlanta, January 31, 2014
Body of missing man found in CSX yard
Atlanta Police have identified a body found at a CSX yard on Marietta Road Friday as 86-year-old missing man, John Graham. Graham reportedly suffered from the early stages of dementia, and disappeared from a home on the 1900 block of Spinks Street in Atlanta around 5:30 p.m. on Thursday.
ILLINOIS (Glencoe), Glencoe News, January 30, 2014
Glencoe police continue search for missing man with dementia
http://glencoe.suntimes.com/news/harvey-GLN-02062014:article
Motorists entering Glencoe east via Dundee Road are encountering a flashing sign near Beinlich Court asking for help in the search for Harvey Caplin, 82, who has been missing since Jan. 21. Caplin was last seen by his wife about 7:30 p.m. that Tuesday when he left his home on the 800 block of Forestway Drive. Police have been searching an assumed walking path west along Dundee Road. After his departure Jan. 21, he also likely did not have his medication which manages symptoms of dementia among other health conditions.
OKLAHOMA (Gowen), 6 Oklahoma’s Own, January 30, 2014
Animals rescued from hoarding situation in Eastern Oklahoma
http://www.newson6.com/story/24596356/animals-rescued-from-hoarding-situation-in-eastern-oklahoma
More than two dozen animals are rescued from a condemned home of hoarders near McAlester. The animals were severely malnourished and rescuers say they may have been living in deplorable conditions for quite some time. Sunshine Bush says the couple, who lived in the house just outside of the city of McAlester, in Gowen, Okla., were taken by Adult Protective Services for mental evaluation.
SOUTH CAROLINA (Honea Path), 10 WIS TV, January 30, 2014
Elderly man with dementia may be lost in woods
http://www.wistv.com/story/24596414/elderly-man-with-dementia-may-be-lost-in-woods
Other than some footprints that disappear into the woods, there is no sign of a missing 81-year-old man, according to investigators with the Laurens County Sheriff's Office. His family became concerned and reported him missing Wednesday night at 6 p.m. They said he suffers from dementia.
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Upcoming Elder Abuse Conferences/Training Events (in chronological order):
· IOM Forum on Global Violence Prevention will host a public workshop on February 26-27, 2014. This workshop will explore a model for thinking about mental health, violence, and prevention with the goal of arriving at a better understanding of the relationships between mental illness and risks of violence perpetration and victimization as well as the mental health consequences of exposure to violence. The workshop will be held at the Keck Center in Washington, DC, and is free and open to the public. However, space is limited. More information found here: http://www.iom.edu/Activities/Global/ViolenceForum/2014-FEB-26.aspx?utm_medium=etmail&utm_source=Institute%20of%20Medicine&utm_campaign=12.18.13+Forum+and+Roundtable+News&utm_content=&utm_term=
· 14th Annual International Family Justice Conference “The Root of All Crime” is April 2-4, 2014 in San Diego, CA. The conference will include training and interactive peer to peer discussions on issues related to the handling of domestic violence, child abuse, sexual assault, elder abuse and stalking cases with special focus on law enforcement response, criminal prosecution, civil legal assistance, and advocacy. For more information click here: https://www.regonline.com/builder/site/Default.aspx?EventID=1231094&utm_source=2014+FJC+Conference+Advertisement+3&utm_campaign=Conference&utm_medium=email
· The 7th Annual Forensic Investigations on Sexual Assault, Domestic Violence, and Child and Elder Abuse. This conference will be held in the Kansas City Convention Center in Kansas City, Missouri from May 14-16th, 2014. For more information click here: https://www.saintlukeshealthsystem.org/classes-and-events/forensic-conference-7th-annual or contact saintlukesconcierge@saint-lukes.org
· The 3rd World Congress on Adult Guardianship will be convened on May 28-30th , 2014 in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. It is sponsored by the National Guardianship Network in affiliation with the International Guardianship Network. The theme of the conference is, “Promising Practices to Ensure Excellence in Guardianship Around the World.” Proposals for presentations are due July 31. See http://worldcongressguardianship.org
An archived collection of previous newsfeeds is available here: http://ncea.posthaven.com/
National Center on Elder Abuse
Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse & Neglect
University of California, Irvine
Division of Geriatric Medicine and Gerontology
101 The City Drive South
Orange, CA 92868
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