NCEA Newsfeed – Monday, May 20,
2013 – 26 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.
***************************************************************************************
ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED
1.
NATIONAL, Florida Today, May 17, 2013
Experts: Elderly fraud on the rise
http://www.floridatoday.com/article/20130517/NEWS01/305170017/Experts-Elderly-fraud-rise
The Elder Justice Coordinating Council, a group of high-ranking officials from
various federal agencies, is working to come up with ways to improve
coordination to combat elder fraud.
2.
ALABAMA (Etowah County), The Gadsden Times, May 18, 2013
Coming Soon for May 19
http://www.gadsdentimes.com/article/20130518/NEWS/130519812?Title=Coming-Soon-for-May-19&tc=ar
The Council on Aging of Etowah County will host its eighth-annual Elder Abuse
Awareness Summit, in conjunction with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, at 8:30
a.m. June 19 at the Senior Activity Center.
3.
ALASKA (Fairbanks), News Miner, May 20, 2013
Protect finances of the elderly
http://www.newsminer.com/features/our_town/pinching_pennies/protect-finances-of-the-elderly/article_ac8a5dba-c124-11e2-845f-0019bb30f31a.html
A professor of extension on the Tanana District Extension Faculty gives an
overview of the problem of elder abuse and advises older adults on how to
protect themselves
4.
COLORADO (Grand Junction), NBC 11, May 17, 2013
Elderly watch out for scams and frauds
http://www.nbc11news.com/home/headlines/Scammers-targeting-the-elderlyStaying-Alert-207804151.html
As scams evolve, they become more complex and confusing, and scammers often
target one of the most caring populations: the elderly.
5.
FLORIDA (Sarasota County), Herald Tribune, May 17, 2013
Workshop puts spotlight on elder fraud
http://health.heraldtribune.com/2013/05/17/workshop-puts-spotlight-on-elder-fraud/
To help professionals who work with older adults spot and prevent this kind of
abuse, Sarasota County's Community Alliance: Stakeholders in Aging Consortium
will host a free educational forum from 8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. June 14 at the
Salvation Army Fellowship Hall, 1701 S. Tuttle Ave.
6.
IOWA (Des Moines), WCF Courier, May 18, 2013
Capitol digest: Pollution inspectors, Humvee helpers, elder abuse
http://wcfcourier.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/capitol-digest-pollution-inspectors-humvee-helpers-elder-abuse/article_2dbaf80e-bf3b-11e2-acdf-0019bb2963f4.html
Officials at the state Department on Aging say abuse of Iowa’s elderly includes
the financial exploitation of older citizens. Nationwide, financial
exploitation of the elderly is believed to cost $3 billion annually. State
officials say financial exploitation happens when someone illegally or
improperly uses money or property for their own benefit. This type of
exploitation can be committed by someone known or a complete stranger.
7.
MINNESOTA (Duluth), Northland News Center, May 17, 2013
Preventing Elder Financial Exploitation
http://www.northlandsnewscenter.com/news/local/Preventing-Elder-Financial-Exploitation-207856991.html
Financial exploitation of our older generation is on the rise. Senior citizens
make up nearly 70 percent of the nation’s wealth, and crooks know it. From
telemarketing and check scams to fake home repairs and identity theft, older
adults are being taken by scam artists for about $3 billion each year.
"They don't want to admit that they were the victim of this because they
believe that people think it reflects poorly on them,” Sergeant Thomas Stolee
of the Duluth Police Property & Financial Crimes Unit.
8.
NEW YORK (Albany), PostStar.com,
May 18, 2013
Abuse may be common, but often hard to quantify
http://poststar.com/abuse-may-be-common-but-often-hard-to-quantify/article_00482980-c02d-11e2-93e9-0019bb2963f4.html
State and Cornell University researchers estimated 260,000 New York residents
older than the age of 65 were somehow abused or neglected — physically,
financially or emotionally — in 2011. But, without a national clearinghouse to
collect the data and without uniform reporting methods, officials and elderly
care advocates struggle to get a handle on how widespread abuse of America’s
aging population is.
9.
NORTH CAROLINA (Davidson County), The Dispatch, May 17, 2013
Senior services, DSS to hold awareness event on elder abuse
http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20130517/News/305179985?tc=ar
The Davidson County Department of Senior Services, in partnership with the
Davidson County Department of Social Services, will hold a community event at 7
p.m. May 30 to increase awareness of elder abuse. The event, which will be held
at the Edward C. Smith Civic Center in uptown Lexington, will include
information and discussions about elder abuse, which local officials say is an
area and national problem.
10.
NORTH CAROLINA (Greenville), Reflector.com, May 18, 2013
Elder abuse focus of walk
http://www.reflector.com/crimerescue/elder-abuse-focus-walk-2011305
Local law enforcement and a group that advocates for senior citizens will hold
a walk later this month to raise awareness about elder abuse. Representatives
from the Greenville Police Department are joining with the Pitt County Violence
in Aging Council to sponsor an Elder Abuse Awareness Walk at Alice Keene Park,
4561 County Home Road.
11.
NORTH CAROLINA (West Jefferson), Jefferson Post, May 20, 2013
Group raises awareness for elder abuse
http://www.jeffersonpost.com/view/full_story/22641244/article-Group-raises-awareness-for-elder-abuse
Approximately 30 seniors, care providers and other visitors gathered together
for a walk to raise awareness for elder abuse Friday, May 17. Along with the
awareness walk, stations were set up for visitors to learn more about elder
abuse.
12.
NORTH CAROLINA (Winston-Salem), My Fox 8, May 20, 2013
Winston-Salem police search for man accused of elder fraud
http://myfox8.com/2013/05/20/winston-salem-police-search-for-man-accused-of-elder-fraud/
Winston-Salem police are searching for a man accused of impersonating a police
officer so he could steal money from an elderly woman. The 81-year-old victim
told police the man came to her home on Wednesday, falsely claiming to be
“Detective Kennedy.”
13.
PENNSYLVANIA (Weatherly), WNEP, May 17, 2013
Dementia Patient Charged In Death
http://wnep.com/2013/05/17/dementia-patient-charged-with-death/
A nursing home resident is now charged with involuntary manslaughter for allegedly
attacking another resident who ended up dying. Any caregiver will tell you that
people who suffer from dementia can have behavior that is restless,
unpredictable, and disorganized. Police felt justified charging a dementia
patient for allegedly causing deadly injuries to another dementia patient. It
happened at a nursing home in Carbon County.
14.
TEXAS (Brownsville), KVEO, May 18, 2013
Prevention of increasing elder abuse
http://www.kveo.com/news/prevention-increasing-elder-abuse
If you are an elder, or know one in the Lower Valley area, keep a watchful eye
out. The Texas Department of Family and Protective Services has made it a point
to note that every year, abuse, neglect and exploitation of the elderly is
increasing.
15.
TEXAS (Hidalgo County), The Valley Morning Star, May 18, 2013
Adult abuse a growing concern in South Texas
http://www.valleymorningstar.com/news/local_news/article_051b0e84-c035-11e2-adb8-0019bb30f31a.html
Nearly 9 percent of the state’s adult physical neglect cases took place in
Hidalgo County last fiscal year, according to state figures. The cases were
validated by Adult Protective Services (APS), under the Texas Department of
Family and Protective Services. As the month comes to close, the South Texas
regional director discussed the trends here, naming mental illness and immigrants
without legal status in the United States as primary issues. May is Elder Abuse
awareness month.
16.
VERMONT (Montpelier), Vermont Digger, May 19, 2013
AG Sorrell urges Congress to take steps to combat elder fraud
http://vtdigger.org/2013/05/19/ag-sorrell-urges-congress-to-take-steps-to-combat-elder-fraud/
Attorney General Bill Sorrell joined Rep. Peter Welch today and urged Congress
to take steps to combat elder fraud. A hearing was convened to review the
federal government’s current efforts to detect financial scams perpetrated on
seniors and how to assess the effectiveness of those measures
17.
VERMONT (Montpelier), San Franciso Gate, May 18, 2013
Vt. AG urges Congress to combat elder fraud
http://www.sfgate.com/news/crime/article/Vt-AG-urges-Congress-to-combat-elder-fraud-4527704.php
Vermont Attorney General William Sorrell wants Congress to do more to combat
what he calls "elder fraud." Sorrell testified Thursday in Washington
before a subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives to review the
federal government's current efforts to detect financial scams targeting senior
citizens.
18.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Hometown Source, May 20, 2013
Klobuchar amendment to immigration bill will help protect victims of elder
abuse
http://hometownsource.com/2013/05/20/klobuchar-amendment-to-immigration-bill-will-help-protect-victims-of-elder-abuse/
U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar today (Monday, May 20) announced that her amendment to
the comprehensive immigration reform bill to help protect victims of elder
abuse passed the Senate Judiciary Committee.
19.
INTERNATIONAL (Hamilton, Bermuda), The Royal Gazette Online, May 18, 2013 (Opinion)
The secret shame of elder abuse: No easy solution to a cruel and silent problem
http://www.royalgazette.com/article/20130518/COLUMN07/705189993
After receiving several empathy-lacking responses to an article on elder abuse
last week, this journalist says that prevention and planning which fierce
advocate for seniors, Age Concern Director Claudette Fleming has always
espoused, needs to be made more affordable, more easily accessible, and
provided on an ongoing basis.
20.
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.
21.
INTERNATIONAL (Ontario, Canada), CTV News, May 19, 2013
Nursing home workers suspended after son turns over hidden camera video
http://www.ctvnews.ca/canada/nursing-home-workers-suspended-after-son-turns-over-hidden-camera-video-1.1288544
Four employees of an Ontario long-term care facility have been suspended and
two investigations have been launched, after a concerned man installed a hidden
camera in his mother’s room and captured shocking video of neglect and abuse.
22.
INTERNATIONAL (Wellington, New Zealand), Sun Live, May 17, 2013
Elderly’s budget allocation falls short
http://www.sunlive.co.nz/news/44303-elderlys-budget-allocation-falls-short.html
Despite receiving $132million in spending increases from the 2013 budget
services for older people continue to fall short, says Age Concern New Zealand.
Age Concern New Zealand national president Evelyn Weir says there is nothing
new for the widespread issues of elder abuse and neglect prevention or
addressing social isolation which Age Concern works to address through its
nationwide services.
23.
INTERNATIONAL (Fulford, United Kingdom), BBC, May 17, 2013
Fulford care home nurse abused residents
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-york-north-yorkshire-22574631
A nurse who verbally and physically abused four frail and vulnerable care home
residents faces being struck off. She is accused of calling one man “an
animal,” and holding a soiled sheet to his face and saying “when dogs do this
their owners rub their noses in it.”
ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
1.
IOWA (Des Moines), Des Moines Register, May 20, 2013
Glenwood disabled facility on ‘most fined’ list
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20130520/NEWS/305200044/0/STATETRACK/?odyssey=nav%7Chead
The state-run Glenwood Resource Center for the disabled has the worst record of
compliance with federal regulations of any care facility in Iowa over the past
10 months. The state’s own inspectors have fined the home eight times for a
total of $27,500 in penalties. No other care facility in Iowa, public or
private, has been fined as often, or as much, during the current fiscal year.
2.
PENNSYLVANIA (Philadelphia), ABC Local, May 20, 2013
Disabled veteran robbed, beaten in Philadelphia home invasion
http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=9108477
Police say a disabled war veteran was beaten and robbed inside his Northeast
Philadelphia home early Monday morning.
3.
INTERNATIONAL (Budgam, India), Hindustan Times, May 20, 2013
Raped disabled woman delivers; neighbor, kin held
http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Srinagar/Raped-disabled-woman-delivers-neighbour-kin-held/Article1-1063078.aspx
Relatives and a neighbour of a 26-year-old mentally and physically disabled
unmarried woman were detained in central Kashmir's Budgam district after she
delivered a baby recently.
RELATED ISSUES
1.
FLORIDA (Tampa), Bay News 9, May 19, 2013
Tampa man reported missing found in Sumter County
http://www.baynews9.com/content/news/baynews9/news/article.html/content/news/articles/bn9/2013/5/19/man_76_with_dementia.html
A 76-year-old Tampa man with dementia who was reported missing Saturday night
has been found and is safe, authorities said.
2.
WASHINGTON (Spokane), The Spokesman, May 16, 2013
Elderly man with dementia located by police
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2013/may/16/spokane-police-request-help-finding-elderly/
Spokane Police Department had asked for the public’s help in locating an
elderly male with extreme dementia who walked away from the House of Charity,
32 W. Pacific Ave. on Wednesday afternoon. He has since been located.
3.
INTERNATIONAL (London, United Kingdom), Express.co.uk, May 18, 2013
Hospitals ‘fail dementia patients’
http://www.express.co.uk/news/health/400560/Hospitals-fail-dementia-patients
Jeni Bell, the UK’s first hospital-based Admiral nurse – specializing in
dementia – said care for sufferers could be transformed if nurses were given
the time to look after patients, rather than be restricted to just dealing with
their clinical needs.
4.
INTERNATIONAL (Luton, United Kingdom), BBC, May 17, 2013
Driver who left woman with dementia on bus not guilty
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-22570846
A council driver who admitted being distracted when she left an 88-year-old
passenger locked on a minibus all night has been cleared of neglect.
5.
INTERNATIONAL (Luton, United Kingdom), May 20, 2013
Dementia patient left on bus ‘badly let down’
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-beds-bucks-herts-22594614
A dementia patient left overnight on a patient transport bus without food or
water was "badly let down", her family have said.
***************************************************************************************
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
***************************************************************************************
Upcoming Elder Abuse Conferences/Training Events (in chronological order):
· 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