NCEA Newsfeed 5-16-13

NCEA Newsfeed – Thursday, May 16, 2013 – 30 days until World Elder Abuse Awareness Day!

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!

Is your state represented on the national WEAAD map? http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/Get_Involved/Awareness/WEAAD/TakeAStand.aspx  Enter any state to see the map of the U.S.  Add your event at http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/Get_Involved/Awareness/WEAAD/WEAADform.aspx

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

Did you know? 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

1.         NATIONAL, WDAM, May 16, 2013
1 in 10 seniors abused, neglected
http://www.wdam.com/story/22209259/one-in-10-elders-is-abused-or-neglected
Reporters interview Dr. Laura Mosqueda of UC Irvine and Det. Chayo Reyes of the Los Angeles Police Department to discuss the growing and hidden problem of elder abuse.  

2.         NATIONAL, Medical Daily, May 15, 2013
Senior Care: 5 Tips To Protect Mom And Dad From Nursing Home Fraud
http://www.medicaldaily.com/articles/15543/20130515/senior-care-nursing-home-medical-residents-rights.htm
In a study, 2,000 nursing home residents were interviewed to determine how often does elder abuse takes place in nursing home facilities. The results were startling: 44 percent of the home residents reported that they had been abused and 95 percent said they witnessed or experienced neglect.

3.         ALABAMA (Dothan), WTVY, May 15, 2013
World Elder Abuse Awareness Town Hall Meeting
http://www.wtvy.com/news/headlines/World-Elder-Abuse-Awareness-Town-Hall-Meeting-207597221.html
The fifth annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Town Hall Meeting will be held June 18 at the Troy University Dothan campus. This free event is from 10 a.m. til noon, with lunch served immediately after. To reserve your spot, call 334-793-6843 or 800-239-3507 by June 11.

4.         ALABAMA (Montevallo), Blog.Al, May 15, 2013
State Sen. Cam Ward expects Alabama annexation, elder abuse bills to pass
http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2013/05/state_sen_cam_ward_expects_ala.html
As the Alabama Legislature's session nears its conclusion, state Sen. Cam Ward expects to see some of his bills that have lingered get final approval including one to annex a neighborhood into Alabaster and another concerning financial abuse of the elderly.

5.         CALIFORNIA (Dana Point), NBC Los Angeles, May 14, 2013
Man Wanted in Alleged OC Ponzi Scheme Arrested in Florida
http://www.nbclosangeles.com/news/local/Man-Wanted-for-Alleged-Dana-Point-Ponzi-Scheme-Arrested-in-Florida-207471321.html
A former Dana Point yacht broker is expected to be brought back to Southern California to face fraud and other charges related to an alleged ponzi scheme. The suspect was arrested in Florida and Southern California deputies are expected to fly next week to the southeastern state to gain custody of him. He is charged with 58 counts of fraud, grand theft, and elder abuse.

6.         CALIFORNIA (San Luis Obispo), KSBY, May 16, 2013
Phone scammers target the elderly for personal information, money
http://www.ksby.com/news/phone-scammers-target-the-elderly-for-personal-information-money/
The San Luis Obispo County Sheriff's Office and the San Luis Obispo Police Department are warning residents of phone scams. The law enforcement agencies said on Wednesday that scammers call with the hopes of obtaining personal information or even money. They said they want people to know how to protect themselves.

7.         FLORIDA (Crestview), Crestview Bulletin, May 15, 2013
Nursing home faces sanctions for clients’ treatment
http://www.crestviewbulletin.com/health/nursing-home-faces-sanctions-for-clients-treatment-document-1.143386
Silvercrest Manor Nursing Home faces a fine and a state-mandated probation for failing to report allegations of abuse and to implement procedures to prevent abuse. The Agency for Health Care Administration has determined that three of 60 clients at the nursing home at 910 Brookmeade Drive were not “free of verbal or physical abuse,” according to a proposed settlement agreement filed May 10.

8.         GEORGIA (Columbus), WSFA, May 15, 2013
Nursing home patients claim sexual abuse at facility
http://www.wsfa.com/story/22229941/nursing-home-patients-claim-sexual-abuse-at-facility
Columbus police detectives are investigating claims from three nursing home patients who say they were sexually assaulted.  Officials at River Towne Center on Warm Springs Road said none of their employees are accused of the crimes.  The three female patients are alleging that two male patients at the facility perpetrated these acts on separate occasions.

9.         KANSAS (Topeka), Peabody Gazette-Bulletin, May 16, 2013
Report abuse before it is too late
http://peabodykansas.com/direct/report_abuse_before_it_is_too_late+4434abuse+5265706f7274206162757365206265666f726520697420697320746f6f206c617465
Small communities are more likely to have a higher rate of hidden elder abuse — a reality that makes Paul Shipp of Kansas Legal Services sit up and take notice. “It’s hard because they don’t want to report whoever is abusing them,” he said. “It’s usually a child or a spouse — someone they count on, someone that knows that they need them so they can remain independent.”

10.       KENTUCKY (Richmond), The Richmond Register, May 14, 2013
Issues affecting the elderly
http://richmondregister.com/lifestylescommunity/x2002147406/Issues-affecting-the-elderly
“Issues Affecting the Elderly” is a one-day conference that will be held on Friday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Madison County Extension Education Center. Sessions will include, “How to Prevent and Report Elder Abuse” and “Power of Attorney and Guardianship.”

11.       MASSACHUSETTS (Chicopee, Massachusetts), WWLP, May 15, 2013
I-Team: Nursing home deficiencies
http://www.wwlp.com/dpp/news/i_team/i-team-nursing-home-deficiencies
There are dozens of nursing homes in western Massachusetts and many of your loved ones live in them, but as 22News I-Team discovered, not all of them are living in a 5 star environment. The I-Team found some homes in our area have been caught storing food at the wrong temperature, moldy kitchens, overmedicating, and failure to supervise; just a sample of what the 22News I-Team discovered while going through state inspection reports of nursing facilities in western Massachusetts.

12.       NEW JERSEY (Bergen County), New Jersey Blog, May 14, 2013
Bergen County to host elder abuse conference
http://blog.northjersey.com/bergenbeat/8230/bergen-county-to-host-elder-abuse-conference/
Bergen County will host a day-long conference on elder abuse on Friday, May 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. at the Law and Public Safety Institute at 281 Campgaw Road in Mahwah. Speakers will include Susan Somers of the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, Lauren Van Saders of Holy Name Hospital, Eunae Christina Kim of the Grace Korean Community Church, Sgt. Sylvia Presto of the Bergen County Police, Maria Aberasturi of the Adult Protective Services Program of the Bergen County Board of Social Services and Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli.

13.       NORTH CAROLINA (West Jefferson), Jefferson Post, May 16, 2013
Group walking to raise awareness of elder abuse
http://www.jeffersonpost.com/view/full_story/22589934/article-Group-walking-to-raise-awareness-of-elder-abuse
To raise awareness for elder abuse, the Elder Abuse Prevention Team will hold an awareness walk from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. on Friday, May 17 in the empty lot across from Blue Ridge Golf Carts at 505 South Jefferson Ave, West Jefferson.

14.       OHIO (Dayton), WHIO TV, May 15, 2013
Nursing home employee charged with abuse
http://www.whiotv.com/news/news/crime-law/nursing-home-employee-charged-with-abuse/nXr54/
A Montgomery County grand jury indicted a Dayton woman Monday on a felony charge of patient abuse. Norma Black, 70, was issued a summons to appear in court on the fourth-degree felony. She is scheduled to be arraigned on May 28. Court records indicate that Black was employed at the Arbors at Dayton Subacute and Rehabilitation Center on Albany Street when she abused a patient by smacking him.

15.       WASHINGTON, D.C., WAMU, May 10, 2013
House Calls Can Be A Better Option For Some Seniors
http://wamu.org/news/13/05/03/house_calls_a_better_option_for_some_elderly
Elder justice experts discuss how house call programs can help health care professionals identify elder abuse and neglect

16.       INTERNATIONAL (Nova Scotia, Canada), The Vanguard, May 16, 2013
Grants to aid in prevention, awareness of elder abuse
http://www.thevanguard.ca/News/2013-05-16/article-3249887/Grants-to-aid-in-prevention,-awareness-of-elder-abuse/1
The province announced on May 16, one-time contributions for non-profit community groups trying to stop elder abuse by helping Nova Scotians recognize its signs and where to go for assistance. Community groups can get up to $250 each for events on or around June 15, World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.

17.       INTERNATIONAL (Tairawhiti, New Zealand), The Gisborne Herald, May 15, 2013
Preying on elderly
http://www.gisborneherald.co.nz/article/?id=32460
Elder abuse is rife throughout the district and with “no legal teeth” will continue to escalate, say those working at the coalface. Age Concern Tairawhiti executive officer Frances Toroa says physical abuse is not being reported and that legislative pathways akin to domestic violence laws are needed to lift the lid off the “elder abuse scab”.

18.       INTERNATIONAL (Tauranga, New Zealand), Bay of Plenty Times, May 16, 2013
Elder abuse cases skyrocket
http://www.bayofplentytimes.co.nz/news/elder-abuse-cases-skyrocket/1870411/
Reports of elder abuse in Tauranga jumped by almost 50 per cent last year, new figures show. Age Concern elder abuse and neglect prevention service coordinator Jane Broughton said it received 140 referrals in 2012, compared to 94 in 2011. Ms Broughton said the figures were the tip of the iceberg because most elder abuse went unreported.

ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

1.         ALASKA (Susitna Valley), KTNA, May 15, 2013
Su Valley Voice 5-15-13 – Abuse of vulnerable adults
http://ktna.org/2013/05/15/su-valley-voice-5-15-2013-abuse-of-vulnerable-adults/
On this edition of Su Valley Voice, KTNA’s public affairs program, the topic is the abuse of vulnerable adults: the elderly and mentally ill. Guests are Cici Schoenberger, Behavior Health Specialist at Sunshine Community Health Center, Brenda Mahlatini, Adult Protective Services Manager for the Alaska Department of Health and Social Services, and victims’ advocate Jayme Spires.

2.         SOUTH CAROLINA (Spartanburg), The Republic, May 15, 2013
Former Wellford police officer charged with sexually abusing vulnerable adult
http://www.therepublic.com/view/story/d83b4d9ef449489ea92efaf8847a054f/SC--Officer-Sex-Charge
A former Wellford police officer has been charged with sexually assaulting a vulnerable adult while on duty. The State Law Enforcement Division has charged the 32-year-old suspect of Spartanburg with misconduct in office, third-degree criminal sexual conduct and abuse of a vulnerable adult.

3.         SOUTH CAROLINA (Wellford), Fox Carolina, May 14, 2013
Ex-Wellford officer accused of abusing vulnerable adult
http://www.foxcarolina.com/story/22249261/sled-wellford-officer
A former Wellford police officer was arrested Tuesday by state agents after they said he sexually and physically abused a vulnerable adult.

4.         SOUTH CAROLINA (Wellford), Greer-Taylors Patch, May 14, 2013
Wellford Police Officer Charged with Abuse of Vulnerable Adult
http://taylors.patch.com/articles/wellford-police-officer-charged-with-abuse-of-vulnerable-adult
A Wellford police officer has been charged with allegedly abusing a vulnerable adult. According to warrants signed by the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, the suspect allegedly engaged in sexual battery of a vulnerable adult between July 1, 2012 and Jan. 1, 2013, with a woman that he knew that had a mental disorder. He did so while serving as an officer for the City of Wellford.

 

RELATED ISSUES

1.         INTERNATIONAL (Ottawa, Canada), The Ottawa Citizen, May 15, 2013
Hugh Adami: Dementia sufferer on hook for $4,000
http://www.ottawacitizen.com/health/Hugh+Adami+Dementia+sufferer+hook/8390053/story.html
Ontario’s Residential Tenancies Act makes it clear that a retirement home did not do anything wrong in charging a former resident with dementia almost $4,000 for seven days of accommodation, meals and care in early December.

2.         INTERNATIONAL (Luton, United Kingdom), BBC, May 15, 2013
Woman with dementia left on bus overnight looked “shocked”
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-22539594
Joan Cook, 88, was discovered on the bus 14 hours after it had been parked at a depot in Luton in April last year. Council driver Susan McLaughlin, of Brunel Road, Luton, denies neglect, contrary to Section 44 of the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

 

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Funding Opportunities:

  • May 20, 2013
    • The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), Office of Justice Programs (OJP), National Institute of Justice (NIJ) is pleased to announce that it is seeking applications for research and evaluation relating to abuse, neglect, and exploitation of elderly individuals and residents of residential care facilities. This research furthers the Department’s mission by sponsoring research to provide objective, independent, evidence-based knowledge and tools to meet the challenges of crime and justice, particularly at the State and local levels.
    • For more information: https://ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/sl001043.pdf
  • November 1, 2013
    • The Lawrence Foundation awards grants in support of the environment, education, human services, disaster relief, and other causes. The foundation awards both program and operating grants with no geographic restrictions to nonprofit organizations that qualify for tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code, as well as public schools and libraries.
    • For more information: http://www.thelawrencefoundation.org/grants/guidelines.php

 

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Upcoming Elder Abuse Conferences/Training Events (in chronological order):

·       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 16th Annual Kern County Elder Abuse Prevention Conference will be themed “Self Neglect Topics: Hoarding & Grief, Loss, and Trauma.” The conference will take place on Wednesday, May 22, 2013 at Hodel’s Country Dining. For more information: http://www.co.kern.ca.us/aas/pdf/elder-abuse-conf-2013.pdf.

·       The Legal Assistance for Seniors Conference on Elder Abuse will be held at UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco, California. The theme of the conference will be “Elder Justice: From Policy to Practice” and will be held  on May 21, 2013. For more information: http://lashicap.org/las-events. To find out more about the Institute on Aging’s Elder Abuse Prevention Program’s scholarships for registration for San Francisco area advocates: http://ioaging.org/documents/news/LAS%20-DV_Flier_and_Form2013_EAP-1.pdf

·       Registration is now open for the free webinar, “Improving Care by Strengthening the Workforce: Why Immigration Reform Is Important to Home Care Consumers,” which will take place on May 23, 2013. The webinar is hosted by The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care.
For more information: https://cc.readytalk.com/cc/s/registrations/new?cid=ltdf3j9ufygs

·       The National Association of Nutrition and Aging Services Programs (NANASP) Annual Training Conference 2013 will take place at the Westin San Diego in San Diego, California and will feature a keynote on Elder Abuse. The conference will take place from May 29-31, 2013. For more info: http://www.nanasp.org/upcomingconferences.html

 ·       The Virginia Coalition for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (VCPEA) will hold its 19th annual conference in Virginia Beach at the Virginia Beach Resort and Conference Center on May 29-31, 2013. Conference information was been posted on the VCPEA website at http://www.vcpea.org

 ·       The Los Angeles County District Attorney’s Criminal Justice Institute presents an Elder Justice Symposium for attorneys, law enforcement personnel, health care and mental health care professionals, social service providers and victim advocates. The symposium will be on June 27, 2013, at the Almansor Court Banquet Center in Alhambra, California. For more information: http://da.lacounty.gov/cji/ea062713.htm

·       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 24th Annual NAPSA Conference to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota October 2-3, 2013, followed by The 4th Annual NAPSA Summit on Elder Financial Exploitation on October 4, 2013. For more information: http://www.napsa-now.org/get-connected/annual-conference/

·       The 30th Annual Adult Protective Services Conference will be held in San Antonio, Texas from November 19-22, 2013. For more information: https://www.dfps.state.tx.us/Adult_Protection/Adult_Protective_Services_Conference/

·       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://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

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