Newsfeed – Friday, April 4, 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, Daily Herald, April 4, 2014
How to help mom escape the grasp of a con man
Concerned children feel that there elderly mother has fallen victim to a scam-artist, who has tricked her into believing he's her friend. The author recommended contacting Adult Protective Services to take action.
CALIFORNIA (Marin County), Marin Independent Journal, April 3, 2014
Ross man charged with stealing $190,000 from aged aunt with dementia
http://www.marinij.com/crimebeat/ci_25489061/ross-man-charged-stealing-190-000-from-aged
A Ross man will be arraigned Friday on charges he embezzled more than $190,000 from a centenarian aunt who had dementia. Authorities said the alleged crimes occurred between 2009 and 2012, when the victim was between 98 and 101 years old.
CALIFORNIA (Sacramento), Daily Democrat News, April 3, 2014
Yamada nursing home safety bill advances
http://www.dailydemocrat.com/news/ci_25483416/yamada-nursing-home-safety-bill-advances
Assembly Bill 1816, authored by Assemblywoman Mariko Yamada, passed the Assembly Committee on Health with unanimous support Tuesday. This measure addresses slow, cursory or incomplete investigations of suspected abuse in long-term health care facilities by establishing timelines and procedures for completing an investigation into alleged abuse within a long-term care facility.
CALIFORNIA (Tulare County), The Porterville Recorder, April 4, 2014
Elder abuse prevention training offered to financial institutions
Beginning this month, the Office of the District Attorney is pleased to offer Elder Abuse Prevention training to financial institutions throughout Tulare County. Starting next week, the Elder Abuse prosecutor and a District Attorney Investigator will be facilitating training for many local banks and credit unions. In addition, a District Attorney Investigator will be presenting a training session for the Tulare County Bar Association at its monthly luncheon on April 17.
FLORIDA (Tallahassee), Bradenton, April 3, 2014 (Opinion)
Senate moves bill shielding nursing home interests
http://www.bradenton.com/2014/04/03/5083607/senate-moves-bill-shielding-nursing.html
Lawsuits targeting nursing homes would yield smaller awards in the future, as the deep pockets of private equity firms and passive investors would be protected under a measure passed by the Senate on Thursday, the article states. The bill (SB 670) would disallow including ownership that has no impact on the day-to-day performance of the facility in damage claims, a move proponents say will encourage broader investment in facilities in the state.
IDAHO (Garden City), Idaho Statesman, April 3, 2014
Garden City man sentenced for neglect, abuse, Medicaid fraud
http://www.idahostatesman.com/2014/04/03/3115642/garden-city-man-sentenced-for.html?sp=/99/101/
A man from Garden City who pleaded guilty to abuse, neglect and Medicaid fraud has been sent to a sober-living house. Paul J. Draine, 43, was sentenced Thursday for neglecting his mother and submitting claims to Medicaid for fraudulent services, according to Attorney General Lawrence Wasden.
IOWA (Des Moines), WCF Courier, April 1, 2014
Senate passed elder abuse, renewable energy bills
Senators voted 48-0 to approve a uniform power of attorney act that is expected to provide a comprehensive, detailed description of the powers and responsibilities of persons granted powers of attorney -- a legal document that allows someone to make decisions on behalf of someone else. Backers said the legislation addresses situations where an agent representing an older Iowan either fails to understand his or her responsibilities, misuses the power of attorney, or outright abuses the power of attorney.
IOWA, The Des Moines Register, April 3, 2014
Iowa Fraud Fighters finds receptive audience in Ames
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/money/business/2014/04/03/iowa-fraud-fighters/7267543/
The abundance of fraudsters preying on older Americans spurred Baird to join about 190 of her neighbors at the Iowa Fraud Fighters forum in Ames on Thursday. Many of the scams take place by phone as callers armed with personal data obtained via the Internet pose as legitimate business people or friends. They use that information to convince unsuspecting seniors to provide them with personal account numbers for Social Security, Medicare and bank accounts.
MARYLAND (Frederick), Your 4 State, April 3, 2014
Suspect Allegedly Steals $25k in Cash from Elderly Woman
http://www.your4state.com/story/d/story/news/22847/RWTrsMRcl0iS-mRNO1DCzQ
The Frederick Police Department has charged a Baltimore woman with five counts of theft, after they say she stole cash and gift cards from an 89-year-old Frederick County woman. According to court documents, the victim says the woman allegedly stole $25,000 in cash, and the two knew each other for nearly 16 years.
MISSOURI (St. Charles County), KSDK, April 2, 2014
Prosecutors: Man scammed thousands from veterans charity
A St. Charles man has been charged with stealing, forgery, financial exploitation of the elderly, making misrepresentations in soliciting charity funds for Wounded Warrior Project, according to Missouri Attorney General Chris Koster, St. Charles Prosecuting Attorney Tim Lohmar and St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney Bob McCulloch.
OREGON, Statesman Journal, April 2, 2014
State picked to host adult abuse prevention conference
Protecting seniors and other vulnerable adults has become a mantra for Oregon, and its best efforts and practices were recognized recently when the state was tapped to host this year’s National Adult Abuse Conference. The 25th annual event, set for Oct. 29-30 at the Portland Marriott Downtown Waterfront hotel, is sponsored by the National Adult Protective Services Association of Illinois.
UTAH (St. George), St. George News, April 1, 2014
Police arrest 38-year-old for exploiting 96-year-old man
A St. George man faces multiple criminal charges relating to prescription fraud and exploitation of an elderly person after being arrested by Washington City Police on March 21. According to the probable cause statement filed by Washington City Police a 38-year-old man of St. George was arrested after an investigation was conducted involving a report of prescription fraud at the Walmart pharmacy in Washington City.
INTERNATIONAL (Toronto, Canada), Global News, April 2, 2014
Toronto police arrest couple in elder abuse, fraud investigation
http://globalnews.ca/news/1245923/toronto-police-arrest-couple-in-elderly-abuse-fraud-investigation/
Police have arrested two people in connection to an elder abuse and fraud investigation involving a 94-year-old Toronto woman and authorities say there could be more victims. Police say officers were called to a residence on March 26 by concerned citizens within the community.
INTERNATIONAL (New Zealand), News Talk ZB, April 4, 2014
Christchurch man jailed for elder abuse
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/regch/120886877-christchurch-man-jailed-for-elder-abuse
A Christchurch man has been jailed for over two years for eight months of brutal abuse of an elderly woman. Joseph Whitehead was sentenced today to 27 months in jail for repeated assaults, and for conning the 73-year-old victim out of $30,000.
INTERNATIONAL (New Zealand), News talk ZB, April 3, 2014
Police go after more cases of elder abuse
http://www.newstalkzb.co.nz/auckland/news/regln/2106808112-police-go-after-more-cases-of-elder-abuse
Police are investigating more cases of elder neglect after yesterday's guilty verdict for Napier woman Joanne Quinn. The 51-year-old failed to provide the necessaries of life to her 82-year-old mother who died in December 2011. The pensioner was left lying on a couch for at least three years, with maggot-infested ulcers on her legs and was severely malnourished and dehydrated.
INTERNATIONAL (United Kingdom), Birmingham mail, April 3, 2014
Tividale care home worker arrested over sex assault claim
http://www.birminghammail.co.uk/news/midlands-news/warrens-hall-nursing-centre-worker-6910524
A Black Country care home worker has been arrested on suspicion of sexual assault. The 25-year-old was held on March 15 on suspicion of assaulting an 85-year-old man at Warrens Hall Nursing Centre in Tividale. The site houses a number of dementia patients.
ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
FLORIDA (Gainesville), Gainesville Times, April 2, 2014
Gainesville man sentenced to 10 years in rape case
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/97684/
A Gainesville man was sentenced to 10 years in prison by a Hall County judge after pleading guilty to sexually abusing a disabled person, according to the district attorney’s office. Ramon Morgan, 33, was indicted in June on charges of rape, aggravated sodomy, abuse of a disabled adult, exploitation of a disabled adult and sexual battery.
FLORIDA (Hernando County), Hernando Today, April 1, 2014
Spring Hill woman battered disabled boyfriend, deputies say
A 24-year-old woman was arrested Tuesday after battering her boyfriend, who has cerebral palsy, at their Spring Hill Drive home. The girlfriend slapped the man in the face, and later pushed him to the ground and broke the device, deputies said.
FLORIDA (Jacksonville), 47 WTEV, April 1, 2014
Two women charged with neglect of a disabled adult
Two women were arrested on charges that they neglected a disabled adult at a local group home. Investigators say the abuse happened at Herlea's Residential Care group home on Sheridan Road.
MINNESOTA (Minneapolis), Star Tribune, April 1, 2014
Suit claims Courage Kenny Rehab Institute failed to prevent assault
http://www.startribune.com/local/west/253479281.html
Despite repeated warnings, staff and security personnel at Courage Kenny Rehabilitation Institute in Golden Valley failed to prevent a convicted sex offender from assaulting a vulnerable adult and even encouraged him to participate in her therapy sessions, according to a lawsuit filed Tuesday.
MISSOURI (St. Louis), St. Louis Today, April 2, 2014
St. Louis police investigate officers' use of force in struggle with mentally ill man
City police are investigating two officers’ use of force in a violent encounter last month with a mentally ill man whose family recorded part of it on video. About 36 seconds of an encounter already under way were recorded by the relative, showing a violent struggle among the mentally ill man, seated in a chair, and the two St. Louis officers.
INTERNATIONAL (Ireland), Independent.ie, April 4, 2014
Care home took patients' allowances to pay for staff expenses, watchdog finds
Adults with intellectual disabilities had some of their allowance docked to pay for staff meals and outings without their knowledge. In the first series of reports published by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) arising out of inspections of facilities for people with disabilities, it emerged a portion of six residents' allowances was taken to cover staff costs while they were on duty.
INTERNATIONAL (Dublin, Ireland), RTE News, April 3, 2014
Inspection finds doors locked at Dublin disability center
http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/0403/606507-inspection-finds-doors-locked-at-disability-centre/
An independent inspection of one of the country's largest centers for people with intellectual disabilities has found that internal doors in a unit were locked. The unannounced inspection of Stewarts Care in west Dublin was undertaken following allegations of abuse at the center.
RELATED ISSUES
FLORIDA (Charlotte County), Herald-Tribune, April 1, 2014
UPDATE: Missing man with dementia, 83, is found
http://www.heraldtribune.com/article/20140331/ARTICLE/140339947?tc=ar
An Englewood man, who has dementia, has been reported missing. The 83-year-old man left behind his walker, which he needs to get around. He will not be able to get out of the van and walk without assistance, according to the Sheriff's Office.
MICHIGAN, Click On Detroit, April 4, 2014
Michigan health officials: Flash drive with personal information of more than 2,500 people stolen
State health officials say a flash drive containing personal information of more than 2,500 people was stolen earlier this year. The department says the flash drive contained personal information of living and deceased individuals, including names and addresses. It says more than 1,500 records also included either a Social Security number or a Medicaid identification number.
VERMONT (Brandon), Rutland Herald, March 31, 2014
Man gets suspended sentence for welfare fraud
http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20140331/THISJUSTIN/703319989/0/SPORTS01
A Brandon man received a suspended jail sentence after he was convicted on multiple counts of welfare fraud. Weldon had been charged with five felony counts last year after investigators with the state’s Medicaid Fraud and Residential Abuse Unit discovered he had continued to bill the federal government nearly $10,000 over a four-year period for services his daughter was supposedly providing to a disabled adult in Vermont after she’d moved to Georgia to attend college.
INTERNATIONAL (Canada), CBC News, April 3, 2014
Elderly couple demand hospital end 'illegal detention'
An elderly Victoria couple has gone to B.C. Supreme Court to try to take back control of their lives, after they were committed and held in hospital after going there for care. The doctors found both incapable of caring for themselves or each other at their suite in an independent living home for seniors. But the 84-year-olds claim they are capable of looking after themselves with the aid of a nurse, and recorded a video statement from the hospital ward that is now their home and what they describe as their prison.
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Upcoming Elder Abuse Conferences/Training Events (in chronological order):
- 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
· A Webinar on “Nursing Home Admissions Agreements: A Discussion of the Unfair Terms in the Agreements Presented to Elders on Entering a Nursing Home” will be held Wednesday, Apr 2, 2014 2pm EDT. This free webinar is part of a series of National Elder Rights Training Project webinars for the National Legal Resource Center. This webinar will focus on nursing home admissions agreements, identifying the terms that elders and their advocates should be most wary of and explaining the protections that some states afford against enforcement of some of these terms. Though presenters will cover a range of issues, we will focus on arbitration clauses, attempts to hold family members liable for a resident’s bills, purported waivers of a facility’s liability, and improper grounds for eviction. Register here: https://www1.gotomeeting.com/register/716487744
- The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC), the Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), and various senior advocacy and criminal justice experts will be speaking on April 10, 2014, for a free, day-long, online event to learn how to spot the warning signs of elder abuse and financial fraud, and how to combat these heinous crimes. This event is available to the public, and seniors, seniors’ caregivers, law enforcement, social services, adult protective services, and people with elderly relatives are highly encouraged to attend. Those who wish to attend can register here: http://engage.vevent.com/index.jsp?eid=2155&seid=268
- 2nd Annual Michigan Elder Justice & At-Risk Adult Summit "The Big Idea" is May 1, 2014, at the Lansing Center in Lansing, MI, presented by the Prosecuting Attorneys Association of Michigan in conjunction with the Michigan Department of Human Services. Speakers include; Dr. Scott Model (Victims with Developmental Disabilities), Robert Spada (Current Trends in Vulnerable Adult Abuse Investigation and Prosecution), David Tanay (The Attorney General's Role in vulnerable Adult Abuse Investigation), Catherine Emerson (Human Trafficking of Vulnerable Adults), and Dr. Kevin Foley (The Aging Brain: Cognition and Capacity). For more information click here: http://www.ciclt.net/sn/events/e_signup.aspx?ClientCode=paam&E_ID=500183&RegType=ATT
- The American Psychological Association and American Bar Association will hold a National Conference on Violence, May 1-3, in D.C. This 3-day APA/ABA continuing education national conference will address a broad range of issues related to the exposure of children, youth, and families to violence in and around the home, community, and society. For registration information go here: http://www.apa.org/about/offices/ogc/apa-aba/conference.aspx. For inquiries, email: APAABAViolenceConf@apa.org.
- The 7th Annual Forensic Investigations Conference will be held in the Kansas City Convention Center May 12-17, 2014. The conference will focus on a broad array of emerging forensic issues, including sexual assault, interpersonal violence, ballistics, strangulation, and child and elder abuse in both urban and rural environments. This year’s conference is designed to provide an interactive joint educational opportunity and promising practices when working with victims of violence. To find more information, see here: http://www.saintlukeshealthsystem.org/forensic
- 17th Annual Kern County Elder Abuse Prevention Conference Wednesday, May 21, 2014 8:15 am - 3:30 pm At Hodel’s Country Dining (Liberty Rm) 5917 Knudsen Drive Bakersfield, California. “When is a Bruise Not a Bruise: Forensic Wound Identification and Documentation of Possible Abuse and Neglect” Speaker Daniel J. Sheridan, PhD, RN, FAAN. For more information: http://www.co.kern.ca.us/aas/pdf/2014_Elder_Abuse_Conf.pdf
- 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
- The 2014 Consumer Voice Annual Conference will be held in Arlington, Virginia from November 15-19, 2014. There will be speakers in the field, long-term care policy updates from key experts, and tools and resources for advocacy. Registration and the conference agenda details will be coming soon. For questions, contact: info@theconsumervoice.org.
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Funding Opportunities:
- The National Institute of Justice is seeking proposals for research and evaluation related to the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elderly individuals. Research that includes residents of residential care facilities also will be considered. Research proposed may be focused at the state, local, tribal, federal, juvenile justice policy and/or practice level. The closing date for the application is April 25, 2014. Click here for more information: http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=251247
● The Office for Victims of Crime released a solicitation yesterday under which it will fund up to ten awards of $150,000 to $750,000 to support organizations that use technology creatively to provide outreach and direct assistance to victims, particularly those who have never been served or for whom services are not readily available, nationally and/or internationally (for Americans abroad). OVC plans to fund three categories of projects: National-Scope Victim Service Initiatives, National Scope Victim Service Initiatives Proposing To Serve Underserved Victims Identified by the Applicant, and Victim Service Initiatives for American Victims of Domestic Violence and/or Sexual Assault Abroad. Deadline: May 15, 2014. Link to the solicitation: http://ojp.gov/ovc/grants/pdftxt/FY14_V21_UsingTechnology.pdf. For questions, see contact information on page 2 of the solicitation.
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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