Newsfeed – Friday, December 20, 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 and follow us on Twitter!
Did you know? A calendar of upcoming elder abuse and neglect events and funding opportunities can be found at the bottom of the newsfeed.
***************************************************************************************
ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED
ARIZONA , Downtown Devil, December 12, 2013 (Opinion)
Professors’ 3-year study reveals elderly are most targeted for scams, but not vulnerable
http://downtowndevil.com/2013/12/12/52705/elder-scam-fraud-asu-research-study/
A study by two ASU professors have found that nearly 21 percent of the elders surveyed reported that they knew they were being targeted for consumer crimes, and about 25 percent of those targeted for crimes were actually victimized. Kristy Holtfreter said that the issue of elder abuse is often not covered as it should be because people view the elderly as vulnerable.
CALIFORNIA (Oroville), Chico ER NEWS, December 10, 2013
Chico attorney gets five years in prison for fraud, theft
http://www.chicoer.com/news/ci_24690939/chico-attorney-gets-five-years-prison-fraud-theft
A longtime Chico attorney was sentenced to five years in county prison for defrauding and stealing about $270,000 from his clients. On Aug. 1, Alfred Driscol pleaded no contest in Butte County Superior Court to felony counts of theft from an elder and making a false financial document.
CALIFORNIA (Silicon Valley), Chicago Tribune: Blue Sky Innovation, December 10, 2013
Silicon Valley techies take the elderly seriously
Stinchcombe's company, True Link, is posed to roll out a debit card tied to software that can guard unsuspecting seniors against financial fraud and abuse. It's meant to address a huge, underreported problem that results in financial losses of $2.9 billion a year in the United States, according to a Metlife study.
GEORGIA (Douglas County), Omaha, December 17, 2013
Daughter gets probation for neglect of mother, 80
http://www.omaha.com/article/20131217/NEWS/131218983/1016
Monday, Douglas County District Judge Thomas Otepka sentenced Roslyn Leitz, 54, to two years of probation for abuse of a vulnerable adult. She could have received up to five years in prison after pleading guilty to the charge.
IOWA (Keosauqua), Ottumwacourier, December 18, 2013
Nursing home death leads to lawsuit
http://www.ottumwacourier.com/local/x1221254916/Nursing-home-death-leads-to-lawsuit
The death of a Keosauqua nursing home patient has led to a federal lawsuit by the woman’s family. The woman died after a fall at the Good Samaritan Society’s facility in Keosauqua. The case was fined by state investigators who found the woman fell more than 50 times prior to her death.
MICHIGAN (Leelanau County), Up North Live, December 16, 2013
Woman arrested for stealing money from senior citizen
http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/story.aspx?id=983937#.UrS4jPRDuB0
A Leland woman was arrested for embezzling over $1000 from an elderly man she was taking care of. The Sheriff's Department reports the victim's bank contacted Adult Protective Services and Leelanau County detectives in August of 2012 because the victim's account was overdrawn and unusually large amounts of money had been removed.
NEW JERSEY (Lodi), Cliffview Pilot, December 20, 2013
Lodi fire marshal accused of abusing elderly mom still cannot get pre-trial intervention, judge rules
A judge in Hackensack today continued his denial of pre-trial diversion for Lodi Fire Marshal Paul Wanco, as new details emerged about his alleged abuse of his elderly mother. Defense attorney Frank Cozzarelli argued that Wanco was not his mother’s caregiver and, therefore, not responsible for an incident in which the 90-year old woman fell and then lay in urine and feces for nearly 15 hours.
NEW YORK (Liverpool), CNY Central, December 20, 2013
Caretaker arrested for stealing more than $100,000 from elderly Liverpool woman
http://www.cnycentral.com/news/story.aspx?id=985807#.UrTCT_RDuB0
A Salina woman is under arrest after police say she stole more than $100,000 from an elderly woman she was caring for. Police say a caretaker for an 86-year-old Liverpool woman, forged the woman's signature on checks and used the money for herself. Catarsanoe is accused of doing this several times from 2010 through 2012, and spent more than a hundred thousand dollars of the woman's money.
PENNSYLVANIA, Penn State News, December 11, 2013
Law professor testifies on new measures to protect Pennsylvanians from abuse
Urging legislators to consider specific additional safeguards under the Older Adult Protective Services Act (OAPSA), Katherine Pearson recommended that to facilitate early reporting Pennsylvania take steps to create an environment where banks and other financial institutions are more likely to report suspicions of financial abuse.
WASHINGTON D.C., Northland’s News Center, December 17, 2013
Lawmakers introduce program to locate missing seniors
Federal lawmakers, including Sen. Amy Klobuchar, have introduced a new program designed to locate missing seniors. The legislation introduced today would create a nationwide network for locating missing adults and senior citizens.
WEST VIRGINIA (Oak Hill), WVVA, December 19, 2013
Oak Hill man accused of financial exploitation of elderly woman
On Wednesday, December 18, 2013, the Fayette Counter Sheriff's Office received a complaint that an elderly woman in the Oak Hill area was being subjected to financial exploitation. It was reported that several of her checks had been stolen, forged, and uttered and that her credit card had been unlawfully accessed as well.
INTERNATIONAL (Australia), Illawarra Mercury, December 17, 2013
Jail for Unanderra home rapist
http://www.illawarramercury.com.au/story/1976618/jail-for-unanderra-nursing-home-rapist/?cs=12
A Horsley man who sexually abused two vulnerable, disabled patients at Unanderra’s Marco Polo nursing home has been jailed for 11 years. Wollongong District Court heard both women were virtually bedridden and unable to communicate verbally due to their illnesses, leading Mooney to prey on them for his own sexual gratification.
INTERNATIONAL (Quebec, Canada), CBC News, December 11, 2013
Quebec launches investigation into retirement home death
Growing concerns over a long-term care center on Montreal's South Shore and accusations of workers mistreating an elderly patient there have prompted Quebec Health Minister Réjean Hébert to act. The investigation comes after two women were arrested following the recent death of an 87-year-old resident of CHSLD St-Lambert-sur-le-Golf.
INTERNATIONAL (United Kingdom), The Herald, December 11, 2013
Care worker mistreated residents, court is told
A care assistant roughly handled, swore at and threatened elderly dementia patients at a residential home, a court heard. Her colleagues told Plymouth Crown Court they were "disgusted" by her behavior which left patients distressed.
INTERNATIONAL (Birmingham, United Kingdom), Express & Star, December 13, 2013
Pair guilty after preying on retired couple for
They preyed on a retired couple, handing out a leaflet and playing a DVD with false claims before using aggressive sales tactics to get them to sign up to almost £3,000 of work. Their victims were pressured to put their signature to paper and told if they did not do so immediately then they would lose a discount totaling thousands of pounds.
ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
CALIFORNIA (Ukiah Valley), Daily Journal News, December 20, 2013
Ukiah caregiver sentenced to six years in prison
The boyfriend and caregiver of a Ukiah woman who died at the hospital after authorities found her lying in her own feces and urine was sentenced last month to spend six years in prison, according to the Mendocino County District Attorney's Office. The 32-year-old victim weighed 67 pounds, was severely dehydrated, and had several pressure sores when she was admitted to Ukiah Valley Medical Center, according to the DA's Office.
FLORIDA (Clearwater), The Tampa Tribune, December 19, 2013
Pinellas pair found guilty in staged beating of disabled man
Jeffrey Williams, 61, of St. Petersburg, and Zuzu Vargo, 27, of Fruitland Park, were found guilty of one count each of aggravated abuse of a disabled adult after a Pinellas Circuit Court jury deliberated for less than two hours. Prosecutors say Williams arranged for a 39-year-old developmentally disabled schizophrenic, to be beaten by a scantily clad Vargo on July 30, 2011, while Williams videotaped the one-sided match.
GEORGIA (Muscogee County), Ledger-Enquirer, December 12, 2013
Victims of group-care home allegedly endured ‘unspeakable’ cruelty, sexual abuse
http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/2013/12/12/2852366/police-victims-of-group-care-home.html
With help from state and federal authorities, Columbus police have expanded an investigation that uncovered what they say is a series of violations at a licensed group care home and an unlicensed facility that took in disabled patients. Police reportedly discovered deplorable living conditions and financial mismanagement Dec. 4 on Alton Street after a kitchen fire ignited and forced the Georgia Department of Community Health and police to find new homes for 19 disabled adults.
MISSISSIPPI (Jackson), WTVA, December 16, 2013
Man charged with sexual battery of a vulnerable adult
A Grenada man has been arrested for sexual battery of a vulnerable person. The 40-year-old man is charged with one count of sexual battery of a vulnerable adult.
UTAH, The Salt Lake Tribune, December 13, 2013
Nu skin co-founder accused of harassment
http://www.sltrib.com/sltrib/news/57256922-78/mckell-charges-nedra-husband.html.csp
A co-founder of Nu Skin whose husband is facing sex abuse charges has been arrested and charged for harassing the alleged victim. The 52-year-old woman faces three counts of witness retaliation, all third-degree felonies, as well as misdemeanors for abuse of a vulnerable adult and violation of a protective order.
INTERNATIONAL (Sydney, Australia), ABC NEWS, December 20, 2013
Group homes slammed by mother after disabled daughter locked in garage, forced to use bucket as toilet
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-12-20/group-homes-for-people-with-disabilities/5169626
A mother has told of how her intellectually disabled daughter was forced to go to the toilet in a bucket after being locked in a garage in a Sydney group home. The case is one of a number uncovered during an ABC investigation into group homes, which has found reports of serious incidents of physical and sexual abuse in NSW and Victoria.
RELATED ISSUES
CALIFORNIA (La Mirada), Whittier Daily News, December 12, 2013
La Mirada doctor admits tax fraud role in Medicare scam using homeless
A La Mirada doctor pleaded guilty Thursday to subscribing to a false tax return and also admitted to participating in a scheme to defraud Medicare and Medi-Cal. Under the scam, people on Skid Row were illegally recruited for unnecessary medical procedures.
MICHIGAN (Wexford County), Up North Live, December 20, 2013
Authorities looking for missing woman who suffers from Alzheimer’s, dementia
http://www.upnorthlive.com/news/story.aspx?id=985915#.UrTCWvRDuB0
A Wexford County woman who suffers from Alzheimer's and dementia has gone missing after driving away from her home Friday early afternoon. She is originally from Midland and authorities believe she may be attempting to return there.
OREGON, The Oregonian: Oregon Live, December 18, 2013
Oregon public guardian, conservator program could be created by lawmakers
http://www.oregonlive.com/politics/index.ssf/2013/12/oregon_public_guardian_conserv.html
Oregonians who have developmental disabilities, dementia, chronic mental illnesses, or other serious illnesses or injuries would be eligible for the program, said Sen. Michael Dembrow, D-Portland, who plans to sponsor a bill to set up the program. The guardian and conservator would make personal and financial decisions on behalf of the at-risk client.
OREGON (Eugene), KVAL, December 14, 2013
A home for the holidays: ‘My whole body’s been frozen
http://www.kval.com/news/local/A-home-for-the-holidays-My-whole-bodys-been-frozen-235897881.html
A local man received a camping trailer, all thanks to a generous donation from adult protective services specialist Samuel Rutledge. About a week ago, Rutledge said he got a call at work and learned that an older adult was found hypothermic in the park.
VERMONT, VT Digger, December 18, 2013
7 caregivers or employers charged with Medicaid fraud
http://vtdigger.org/2013/12/18/7-caregivers-employers-charged-medicaid-fraud/
Seven people were charged separately with Medicaid fraud Wednesday, the Vermont Attorney General’s Office said in a news release. All of them were caregivers or employers in the state’s Home and County Based or Personal Care programs, which is paid by Medicaid. The seven were arraigned in Windsor Superior Court in Woodstock on felony counts related to billing for care to children or vulnerable adults that was not provided, the release said.
INTERNATIONAL (United Kingdom), Shropshire Star, December 17, 2013
Telford wife’s death after attack by Alzheimer’s husband ‘was preventable’
The death of a retired Shropshire civil servant after an attack by her husband, who was suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, was preventable, a coroner has ruled. The inquest heard that social workers, police officers, mental health nurses and the 62-year-old woman's GP all missed chances to make a Protection of Vulnerable Adult referral, which would have given them all access to the full information in the case.
****************************************************************************************
Funding Opportunities:
-
December 22, 2013
- Nominations for the Roth Award from the Mary Byron Project for programs that demonstrate promise in ending the generational cycle of domestic violence. A cash award of $10,000 will be given to a program that focuses on disadvantaged people. Such a program provides services to those who are identified as such based on characteristics that include age, race, ethnicity, gender, faith, disabilities, low socio-economic status, non-English speaking, sexual preference, and victims from suburban areas who traditionally do not know how to avail themselves of services or who are too ashamed to find them.
- Find more information by contacting Kathy Paulin, Mary Byron Project, 10401 Linn Station Road, Louisville, Ky. 40223; (502) 992-3444; kathypaulin@marybyronproject.org; http://marybyronproject.org/index.php/our-work/the-roth-award
- January 10, 2014
- The Tufts Health Plan Foundation is accepting letters of inquiry to apply for grants through its 2014 Healthy Aging program. Nonprofit organizations in Massachusetts and Rhode Island focused on improving the lives of older adults, ages 60 and over, should submit letters under one of three categories: health and wellness, purposeful engagement, or empowerment.
- Contact: Tufts Health Plan Foundation; foundation@tuftshealth.com ; http://www.tuftshealthplanfoundation.org
-
January 10, 2014
- Applications for grants from the Needmor Fund, which support community organizing projects that encourage the efforts of people who are working together for justice and the common good; encourage involvement in community affairs by people whose participation has been systematically denied; and foster the active participation of all citizens in crafting values and policies that are more equitable.
- Contact: Needmor Fund, 42 South Saint Clair Street, Toledo, Ohio 43604; (419) 255-5560; http://www.needmorfund.org/procedures.htm
****************************************************************************************
Upcoming Elder Abuse Conferences/Training Events (in chronological order):
· The New York City JASA Elder Abuse Training Institute has new training classes for Fall 2013. For more details and registration information click here: http://jasa.org/sites/default/files/NextAct_Catalog_Final_8.9.13.pdf Contact Martha Pollack for further questions: 718-286-1540 or mpollack@jasa.org
· The Nebraska State Bar Association – Elder Law Section and the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services present Financial Exploitation and Elder Rights Issues live Via Web Streaming from Lincoln to 13 Locations Statewide or your desktop computer, December 17, 2013 from 8:45am to 5:00 pm (CST). Topics include Guardianships & Conservatorships, Identity Theft and Scams Update, Low Cost Legal Services in Nebraska, End of Life Issues, Legal and Psychological Elements in Undue Influence, Special Needs Trusts, and Ethics in Representing Elderly Clients. To register, please send an email here emily.hroch@nebraska.gov saying Attn: Emily Hroch.
· The 3rd World Congress on Adult Guardianship will be convened on May 28-30, 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
Program in Geriatrics
101 The City Drive South
Orange, CA 92868
Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!
This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received
this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses. The sender therefore
does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this message, which arise as a result of e-mail transmission.
This message contains confidential information and is intended only for the individual named. If you are not the named addressee you should not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. Please notify the sender immediately by e-mail if you have received this e-mail by mistake and delete this e-mail from your system. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure or error-free as information could be intercepted, corrupted, lost, destroyed, arrive late or incomplete, or contain viruses. The sender therefore does not accept liability for any errors or omissions in the contents of this message, which arise as a result of e-mail transmission.