NCEA Newsfeed – Monday, March 4, 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!
Learn what the Administration on Aging is planning for the Year of Elder Abuse Prevention!
http://www.aoa.gov/AoARoot/AoA_Programs/Elder_Rights/YEAP/index.aspx
Calendar of upcoming elder abuse and neglect events can be found at the bottom of the newsfeed.
***************************************************************************************
ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED
1. NATIONAL, Huffington Post, March 4, 2013 (Opinion)
Violence Against Older Women and the Elder Justice Act
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/robert-b-blancato/elder-justice-act_b_2789814.html
Elder Justice Advocate, Robert Blancato, expresses his gratitude for the passage of the Violence Against Women Reauthorization Act of 2013 (VAWA), but laments the failure of Congress to fund the Elder Justice Act.
2. CALIFORNIA (Auburn), Sacramento Bee, March 3, 2013
Family seeks millions in Emeritus elder abuse trial
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/03/01/5229114/sacto-911-family-seeks-millions.html
The plaintiffs' lawyer asked a jury Friday to award $3 million to $5 million for pain and suffering to the family of a woman who, they claim, incurred bedsores in an Auburn assisted living facility that contributed to her death.
3. CALIFORNIA (Ramona), Ramona Sentinel, March 4, 2013
Man pleads guilty to theft from elder dependent adult
http://www.ramonasentinel.com/2013/03/02/man-pleads-guilty-to-theft-from-elder-dependent-adult/
A Ramona man has pleaded guilty to grand theft and theft from an elder dependent adult, with sentencing set for March 20. The suspect faces a maximum sentence of four years and four months in state prison.
4. CALIFORNIA (Sacramento), Daily Democrat, March 2, 2013
Wolk works to strengthen protection for long-term care residents
http://www.dailydemocrat.com/news/ci_22703514/wolk-works-strengthen-protection-long-term-care-residents
State Sen. Lois Wolk introduced legislation last week to increase penalties for long-term care providers that hinder investigations by California's Long-Term Care Ombudsman program.
5. GEORGIA (Atlanta), Jacksonville.com, March 2, 2013
Georgia legislators focusing more on elder abuse
http://jacksonville.com/news/georgia/2013-03-02/story/georgia-legislators-focusing-more-elder-abuse
House Bill 78 expands the list of crimes for physical, mental and financial abuse and makes some of them felonies, and adds to the list of professionals required to report symptoms of abuse. The bill also includes a provision for victims to testify by video to preserve their accounts and to prevent defendants from delaying trials until after the victims have died.
6. INDIANA (South Bend), South Bend Tribune, March 4, 2013
Elder fraud topic for ISTA luncheon
http://www.southbendtribune.com/news/sbt-elder-fraud-topic-for-ista-luncheon-20130304,0,1734926.story
The Indiana State Teachers Association-Retired of St. Joseph County will meet for lunch and a program on "Elder Fraud" March 19 at Southfield Village on South Miami Trail. The meeting begins at 11:30 a.m. with lunch, followed at 12:15 p.m. by the program featuring Dreama Jensen from the Better Business Bureau. Lunch and program cost $10. Make a reservation by Thursday by calling Jerry Ervin at 574-291-1009.
7. NEW YORK (Whitehall), Rutland Herald, March 4, 2013
Nurse charged with stealing meds from dementia patients
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20130304/NEWS01/703049956/1002/news01
A Whitehall, N.Y., woman who investigators say diverted pain medications intended for elderly dementia patients at the nursing home where she worked denied four felony charges last week in Rutland criminal court. The suspect was arrested in January after administrators at the facility contacted the state Office of Professional Regulation to report the suspicion that she was stealing morphine checked out for patient use, according to court records.
8. OHIO (Columbus), The People’s Defender, March 1, 2013 (Opinion)
We support the Elder Justice Act
http://www.peoplesdefender.com/main.asp?SectionID=3&SubSectionID=3&ArticleID=136668
This publication expresses support for the Ohio Elder Justice Act, which is intended to strengthen the existing Adult Protective Services law and aims to improve the response to elder abuse incidents and encourage reporting of elder abuse cases.
9. OHIO (Ottawa County), Sandusky Register, March 3, 2013
Ottawa County elderly abuse case file sent to attorney
http://www.sanduskyregister.com/article/3406431
Controversy surrounds a situation where a $200,000 debt was accrued by a 62-year-old store-owner.
10. OKLAHOMA (Oklahoma City), News 9, February 28, 2013
Family in Nursing Home Abuse Case Say Records Being Withheld
http://www.news9.com/story/21430962/family-in-nursing-home-abuse-case-say-records-being-withheld
More frustration for a family whose mother was seen on camera, being abused by two nursing home workers. They say the nursing home, and a state agency, are refusing to hand over documents about their mother's case. The suspects were convicted of elder abuse, and the victim has since passed away, but the daughters of the victim now want more answers about the care she received before the incident.
ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
1. ARIZONA (Phoenix), KPHO, March 3, 2013
Do-gooder replaces disabled woman’s stolen wheelchair
http://www.kpho.com/story/21447337/do-gooder-replaces-disabled-womans-stolen-wheelchair
A disabled woman whose $7,000 customized wheelchair was stolen in Phoenix on Tuesday morning is mobile again thanks to a Good Samaritan who paid it forward.
2. CONNECTICUT (Hartford), Hartfordh Courant, March 3, 2013
Tracking Abuse Among A Vulnerable Population Is A Difficult Task
http://articles.courant.com/2013-03-03/news/hc-dds-nonfatal-0304-20130303_1_disabled-woman-group-home-disabled-man
Gauging the true frequency of vulnerable adult abuse is difficult. When poor care leads to the death of a developmentally disabled person in Connecticut, the tragic consequences are obvious. But when mistreatment leads to non-fatal injuries or trauma — including cases where clients are physically or sexually victimized by their caregivers — the harm is not always evident, and the misdeed can escape the state's system of oversight and accountability.
3. MARYLAND (Baltimore), Columbia Patch, March 1, 2013
Caregiver Indicted in Abuse of Disabled Man
http://columbia.patch.com/articles/caregiver-indicted-for-abusing-disabled-man
A Baltimore group home worker who was identified in a video in which a mentally disabled man is seen being hit and spit upon has been indicted on multiple counts of abuse, neglect and assault by a Howard County grand jury.
4. MICHIGAN (Flushing Township), Michigan Live, March 4, 2013
Flint woman accused of beating disabled Flushing Township adult foster care resident with broom
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2013/03/flint_woman_accused_of_beating.html
A Flint woman is facing criminal charges after authorities say she beat a developmentally disabled woman in her care with a broom. The suspect was charged with third-degree vulnerable adult abuse
5. PENNSYLVANIA (Greensburg), San Francisco Gate, February 28, 2013
W. Pa. man gets death in disabled woman’s torture
http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Pa-jury-Convicted-killer-not-mentally-retarded-4316080.php
A Greensburg man who prosecutors say orchestrated the group torture and murder of a mentally disabled woman three years ago was sentenced to death Thursday. Ricky Smyrnes, 26, organized five others in holding 30-year-old Jennifer Daugherty captive in a dingy apartment for more than two days as she was tormented, humiliated and finally killed by people she initially believed were her friends, prosecutors say.
6. INTERNATIONAL (Edmonton, Canada), Edmonton Journal, March 2, 2013
Strathcona County couple admits abusing disabled relative who later died
http://www.edmontonjournal.com/news/Strathcona+County+couple+admit+abusing+disabled+relative/8036653/story.html
A Strathcona County couple has admitted to putting a developmentally disabled relative through weeks of severe abuse, isolation and humiliation leading up to her death in November 2009.
RELATED ISSUES
1. CALIFORNIA (Bakersfield), Los Angeles Times, March 4, 2013
Elderly woman dies after Bakersfield nurse refuses to do CPR
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-0304-senior-dispatcher-20130304,0,43655.story
Questions are being raised regarding care plans and emergency responses after this 911 call receives media attention.
2. FLORIDA (Orange County), Orlando Sentinel, March 3, 2013
Stronger penalties send message about stopping domestic violence
http://touch.orlandosentinel.com/#section/-1/article/p2p-74644951/
The ultimate solution to stopping domestic violence, advocates say, is to change the way people think about the problem. Domestic violence in too many circles, they say, is still treated the way drunken driving once was: with a boys-will-be-boys attitude and a slap on the wrist.
3. OREGON (Portland), KPTV, February 28, 2013
Missing SE Portland woman with dementia found safe
http://www.kptv.com/story/21431077/police-search-for-missing-woman-with-dementia-in-se-portlandPortland police have located a woman with dementia who was considered missing. Officers put out a call for the public's help Thursday evening to find Len-Hsing Wan. She was last seen leaving her home Thursday morning. Because of her medical conditions, there was concern for her safety when she did not return home. At 5:35 p.m. Thursday, police said she had been found safe.
4. VIRGINIA (Windsor), Tidewater News, March 1, 2013
Dementia victim will not be charged with alleged nursing home assault
http://www.tidewaternews.com/2013/03/01/dementia-victim-will-not-be-charged-with-alleged-nursing-home-assault/
A 77-year-old man will not be charged in connection with an alleged Feb. 16 assault against an 84-year-old woman in the Alzheimer’s ward of a Windsor nursing home. Isle of Wight County Commonwealth’s Attorney Wayne Farmer determined the man did not have the mental capacity to commit the alleged crime at Consulate Health Care on Courthouse Highway.
5. VIRGINIA (Windsor), Wavy.com, March 4, 2013
Dementia patient not charged in attack
http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/dementia-patient-not-charged-in-attack
On Feb. 16 police say a 77-year-old man suffering from dementia entered an Alzheimer's patient's room at Consulate Health Care and violently assaulted an elderly woman. After an evaluation by the Western Tidewater Community Services Board and physicians who treated the 77-year-old, it was determined that the man "did not have the mental capacity to formulate the criminal intent necessary to prosecute a criminal charge," according to Police Chief Vic Reynolds.
***************************************************************************************
Funding Opportunities:
- May 1, 2013
- The American Bar Association has announced a further round of grants to be made in 2013 that will promote and support innovation in the delivery of civil legal aid. These grants will go to the state Access to Justice Commissions. The grants will fund projects in seven critical areas of innovation: expanding limited scope representation and other models for affordable services; improving language access and eliminating implicit cultural bias; employing public libraries as point of access for legal aid; enhancing fundraising outside the legal community; creating partnerships with health care and social services providers, government agencies and other new partners; preserving access for low-income people as courts implement e-filing; and increasing web-based delivery of pro bono services for self-represented litigants. Eligible entities are state Access to Justice Commissions, which are formal entities that bring together the highest level of the state's courts, organized bar, and other stakeholders to support the expansion of access to civil justice for low income and disadvantaged people. Applications for Grants to Promote the Creation of new Access to Justice Commissions are due by February 15, 2013; applications for Innovation Grants are due on May 1, 2013.
- Information: www.ATJsupport.org under “grants.” For additional information contact Bob Echols, State Support Consultant, ABA Resource Center for Access to Justice Initiatives, Robert.Echols@comcast.net
***************************************************************************************
Upcoming Elder Abuse Conferences/Training Events (in chronological order):
· The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) is hosting an Elder Maltreatment Symposium on March 8, 2013 online and at their headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. Register and find more information here: http://www.usqualitymeasures.org/Community-Engagement/Symposium.aspx
· Registration is now open for the 2013 Aging in America Conference, presented by the American Society on Aging. The conference will take place from March 12-16, 2013 in Chicago, IL. For more information: http://www.asaging.org/aia
· The Ohio Coalition for Adult Protective Services will hold their annual conference on March 15, 2013 at The Columbus State Conference Center. The theme this year is “The Evolving Aspects of Elder Abuse.” For more information: http://www.formstack.com/forms/?1362455-HWZmxQRixk
· The deadline to submit abstracts for the 2013 Annual Conference of The Gerontological Society of America is March 15, 2013.
To learn more about submitting abstracts: http://www.geron.org/meeting2013/GSA2013CFA.pdf
To learn more about the upcoming conference November 20-24, 2013, titled “Optimal Aging Through Research,” please visit
http://www.geron.org/annual-meeting/future-meetings· The 13th Annual International Family Justice Center Conference will be held in Ft. Worth, Texas from April 16-18, 2013 at the Worthington Renaissance Forth Worth Hotel. For more information: http://www.familyjusticecenter.org/training-main/annual-conference.html
· Elder Abuse and its Prevention – A Workshop will be hosted by the Institute of Medicine of the National Academies April 17-18, 2013 at the Keck Center on Washington, D.C. For more information: http://www.iom.edu/Activities/Global/ViolenceForum/2013-APR-17.aspx
· Registration is now open for Teaming Up Against Elder Financial Exploitation, a course offered in the Orlando area, April 17 – 19, 2013. This course is presented by The Florida Attorney General’s Office (FCPTI) and The Florida Bar Elder Law Section’s Committee on Elder Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation. For more information: http://www.fcpti.com/fcpti.nsf/forms/CF4576CAD96E849C85257A830057911A
· The Academy on Violence and Abuse (AVA) 2013 Scientific Conference will be called “Addressing Violence and Abuse in the Changing Healthcare Environment,” and will take place on April 18-20 in Minneapolis, MN at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and Suites. For more information: http://avahealth.nonprofitoffice.com/vertical/sites/%7B75FA0828-D713-4580-A29D-257F315BB94F%7D/uploads/avabrochure_P20.pdf
· The Greater Augusta Coalition Against Adult Abuse in partnership with the VA Coalition for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and Blue Ridge Community College is sponsoring a free, day long training for Commonwealth Attorneys, Law Enforcement, Social Workers, and related professionals on “Obtaining Convictions and Restitution for Adult Abuse” on Monday, April 29, 2013. For more information, contact Anne See at (540) 433-1830 or asee@brls.org. Click here to register: http://fs21.formsite.com/ascott/form10/index.html?1358267517475
· The 6th 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
· The Alzheimer’s Association annual conference, titled “Dementia Care @AAIC: Translating Research to Practice” will be held in Boston, Massachusetts from July 13-18, 2013. Learn more here: http://www.alz.org/aaic/
· Changing Aging, The Florida Conference on Aging will be held on August 12-14, 2013 and will be themed, “Aging: New Game – New Rules”
For more information: http://www.fcoa.org/conference.html· The 18th International Conference & Summit on Violence, Abuse & Trauma will be held in San Diego, California on September 8-11, 2013. For more information: http://www.ivatcenters.org/
· The 2nd Annual National Elder Abuse Symposium will be held at the Hyatt Regency Orange County in Anaheim, California on December 3-6, 2013. Stay tuned for more information.
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
Like us on Facebook!
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.