NCEA | Newsfeed Collection

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

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