NCEA Newsfeed 5-7-13

NCEA Newsfeed – Tuesday, May 07, 2013 – 39 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!

 

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.         ARIZONA (Prescott), The Daily Courier, May 5, 2013
Seminar discusses elder abuse prevention
http://www.dcourier.com/main.asp?SectionID=1&SubSectionID=1&ArticleID=118868
"Elder Care Abuse and Neglect," a free course for caregivers, family members and elder care professionals, from 3 to 4 p.m. Wednesday, May 8. Topics covered include types of elder care abuse, risk factors of elder abuse, resources for elder abuse and response to elder abuse and neglect.

2.         CALIFORNIA (Murrieta), The Press-Enterprise, May 3, 2013
TEMECULA: Bank employee accused of defrauding elderly woman
http://www.pe.com/local-news/riverside-county/temecula/temecula-headlines-index/20130503-temecula-bank-employee-accused-of-defrauding-elderly-woman.ece

A Murrieta man was arrested Thursday, May 2, on suspicion of defrauding an elderly woman he met while working at a bank, authorities said. Sheriff’s officials said the suspect took advantage of the woman — who recently died — while he was working at a bank in Temecula, defrauding her of “a large sum of money.”

3.         CALIFORNIA (Victorville), Victorville Daily Press, May 2, 2013
Nursing assistant arrested for elder abuse
http://www.vvdailypress.com/articles/arrested-40178-assistant-elder.html
A former convalescent hospital employee was arrested Thursday on suspicion of racking up thousands of dollars on a patient's credit card, according to a news release from the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

4.         COLORADO (Denver), Our Colorado News, May 6, 2013
Bill requires reporting of elder abuse
http://www.ourcoloradonews.com/news/bill-requires-reporting-of-elder-abuse/article_55878492-b6b7-11e2-8dba-0019bb2963f4.html
A bill that would mandate elder abuse reporting in Colorado is finally on its way to becoming law. Senate Bill 111 requires individuals in certain professional fields to report known or suspected cases of abuse involving people age 70 or older.

5.         FLORIDA (Bradenton), The Bradenton Herald, May 6, 2013
Scammers, schemers target the elderly in Florida
http://www.bradenton.com/2013/05/06/4514575/scammers-schemers-target-the-elderly.html
Those 65 and older are the country’s fastest growing demographic, and Florida tops all states in the percentage of seniors 60 and over, with 4.5 million residents or almost a quarter of the population. That figure is expected to more than double to 9.7 million by 2030.

6.         FLORIDA (Orange County), Orlando Sentinel, May 4, 2013
Fake credit-union employee empties elderly man’s account
http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-05-04/news/os-identity-theft-elder-fraud-exploit-20130503_1_debit-card-elderly-man-89-year-old-man
A woman with convictions for prostitution, burglary, theft and drug possession was being held in the Orange County Jail Saturday after an 89-year-old man said she tricked him into giving her his debit card.

7.         FLORIDA (Venice), Herald Tribune, May 3, 2013
Free workshop on elder fraud in Venice
http://health.heraldtribune.com/2013/05/03/free-workshop-on-elder-fraud-in-venice/
The Gulf Coast Community Foundation will host a free workshop for seniors and their families and caregivers on how to spot and avoid scams that target older people.

8.         GEORGIA (East Cobb), East Cobb Patch, May 1, 2013
Millions Stolen from East Cobb Woman
http://eastcobb.patch.com/articles/millions-stolen-from-east-cobb-woman
For nearly four years, Jeffrey T. Carr and his father allegedly used manipulation and a family rift to steal millions of dollars from a 91-year-old East Cobb woman.

9.         GEORGIA (Moultrie), My Southwest Georgia, May 4, 2013
Governor Nathan Deal signs elder abuse bill
http://www.mysouthwestga.com/news/story.aspx?id=893335#.UYmSg6L5XTo
Governor Nathan Deal made a stop in Moultrie to sign a bill for elder abuse. The Elder Abuse Act passed the House with a unanimous vote. During his stop in southwest Georgia to sign the bill, Governor Deal stated this shows how much lawmakers are dedicated to protecting those who can't protect themselves.

10.       GEORGIA (Moultrie), Moultrie Observer, May 3, 2013
Governor signs elderly abuse law in Moultrie
http://moultrieobserver.com/local/x508491905/Governor-signs-elderly-abuse-law-in-Moultrie
Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal signed into law on Friday a bill to help fight abuse of the elderly, and he came to a Moultrie personal care home to do it. House Bill 78, sponsored by Rep. Wendell Willard, R-Sandy Springs, and five others, increases the number of mandated reporters of abuse and collects the language of various state laws on the matter into a single act, according to remarks by Deal and Commissioner Clyde Reese of the Department of Human Services.

11.       KENTUCKY (Bowling Green), BG Daily News, May 6, 2013
Restaurants and coalition shine spotlight on elder abuse
http://www.bgdailynews.com/news/local/restaurants-and-coalition-shine-spotlight-on-elder-abuse/article_4908cc57-6675-59da-ae88-7c0bed0f6018.html
The Barren River Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition on Saturday will host Silver Ribbon Restaurant Day at participating restaurants. "We've been doing this since 2007. We ask people to take a senior to lunch. We always have it the day before Mother's Day," said Teresa Whitaker, district ombudsman for long-term care and the Elder Abuse Council chairperson. Participating restaurants will provide customers with information to educate them on elder abuse and how to report it.

12.       MARYLAND (Rockville), WAMU.org, May 5, 2013
The Uphill Battle To End Elderly Abuse
http://wamu.org/news/13/05/05/the_uphill_battle_to_end_elderly_abuse
APS is made up of local agencies that investigate suspected abuse cases across the country. But the economic downturn has been tough on the agency.

13.       MINNESOTA (Anoka County), Star Tribune, May 7, 2013
Anoka County attorney leads effort to educate Minnesota about elder abuse
http://www.startribune.com/local/north/206451811.html
A once-small group that Anoka County Attorney Tony Palumbo started to confront elder abuse is about to unleash an arsenal of resources to help educate Minnesotans about the problem. With nearly $50,000 in donations, Minnesota SAFE Elders has created a tool kit that includes a video and training materials that it will provide free to interested groups; it is expected out next month.

14.       OKLAHOMA (Colbert), KTEN, May 6, 2013
State Investigating Allegations of Abuse Occurring Inside Colbert Nursing Home
http://www.kten.com/story/22176512/state-looking-into-allegations-of-abuse-occuring-inside-colbert-nursing-home
The Oklahoma State Department of Health is putting pressure on a Colbert nursing home to improve its operations. In the past, the nursing home has been cited by the department for more than 60 deficiencies, but now department workers said they're being cited for their most serious one yet. Recently, the department looked into allegations of abuse happening between residents living at Southern Pointe Living Center. The state concluded that some residents were being harmed and that some workers at the nursing home weren't doing enough to stop it.

15.       OKLAHOMA (Oklahoma City), OKC Fox, Fox 25, May 7, 2013
Law Allows Cameras In Nursing Homes
http://www.okcfox.com/newsroom/top_stories/videos/kokh_vid_11031.shtml
Hidden cameras caught two nursing home employees violently abuse an elderly woman last year. This year, the elderly have another advocate in nursing homes: the state. The “Protect Our Loved Ones” bill would allow cameras in nursing homes without the fear of retaliation from the facility. Governor Mary Fallin signed the bill into law Monday.

16.       PENNSYLVANIA (Carbon County), Citizens Voice, May 4, 2013
Prosecutors, state police continue probe of nursing home death
http://citizensvoice.com/news/prosecutors-state-police-continue-probe-of-nursing-home-death-1.1483690
The Carbon County District Attorney's office and Weatherly police are investigating an incident where an 85-year-old woman died after being pushed by another guest at Weatherwood Nursing and Rehabilitation Center.

17.       WEST VIRGINIA (Charleston), WV Record, May 6, 2013
New trial denied in more than $90M nursing home verdict
http://wvrecord.com/news/259730-new-trial-denied-in-more-than-90m-nursing-home-verdict
Kanawha Circuit Judge Paul Zakaib Jr. has denied a new trial in a nursing home abuse lawsuit against Heartland of Charleston that resulted in a jury verdict of more than $90 million.

18.       INTERNATIONAL (Tasmania, Australia), ABC News, May 7, 2013
Helpline uncovers elder abuse cases
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-05-07/helpline-uncovers-elder-abuse-cases/4674544?section=tas
The "Elder Abuse is Not Ok" campaign was launched last September, with the State Government giving Advocacy Tasmania $120,000 to run a helpline for victims. In just four months 60 cases of abuse were reported, with women making up 70 per cent of victims.

19.       INTERNATIONAL (Warwick, Australia), Warwick Daily News, May 8, 2013
Stand up to stop domestic violence
http://www.warwickdailynews.com.au/news/stand-up-sto-domestic-violence-elder-abuse/1859052/
A new campaign aimed at encouraging people to speak out for someone they fear is the victim of domestic violence or elder abuse has been welcomed in the Rose City. Member of the Warwick Domestic Violence Strategy Group Bette Bonney said the State Government's Make the Call campaign could potentially save lives.

20.       INTERNATIONAL (Rugby, United Kingdom), The Rugby Observer, April 10, 2013
Care worker threw tea over man with dementia
http://www.therugbyobserver.co.uk/2013/05/05/news-Care-worker-threw-tea-over-man-with-dementia-67787.html
A disgraced former care worker who threw a cup of tea over an elderly man with dementia and gave him vinegar to drink has been jailed. She was also said to have adulterated his food with excessive amounts of garlic paste, onion and salt; and kicked his legs and used force against him.

 

ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

1.         TEXAS (Wichita Falls), Times Record News, May 3, 2013
Disabled woman found in deplorable conditions
http://www.timesrecordnews.com/news/2013/may/03/disabled-woman-found-deplorable-conditions/
A 25-year-old disabled woman was found in unspeakable conditions, as she was covered in fecal matter and appeared to be “trained” to eat the fecal matter from her hands. The mother of the 25-year-old disabled woman helped emergency responders load the woman to be taken to the emergency room by ambulance.

 

2.         INTERNATIONAL (Perth, Australia), Herald Sun, May 7, 2013
Wrongly jailed disabled man Marlon Noble allowed to travel
http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/wrongly-jailed-disabled-man-marlon-noble-allowed-travel/story-e6frf7jo-1226636836529
A mentally disabled man, jailed for more than 10 years for sex offences he was never convicted of, has been granted leave to travel for the first time since his release last year.

 

3.         INTERNATIONAL (Wales, United Kingdom), Wales Online, May 2, 2013
Neglect played part in disabled man’s hospital death, coroner rules
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/neglect-played-part-disabled-mans-3319282
A coroner has ruled neglect played a part in the death of a disabled man at one of Wales’ biggest hospitals.

 

 

RELATED ISSUES

 

1.         CALIFORNIA (American Canyon), Napa Valley Register, May 5, 2013
UPDATE: Woman with dementia found safe
http://napavalleyregister.com/eagle/news/local/update-woman-with-dementia-found-safe/article_0c4642e8-b5d4-11e2-81c0-001a4bcf887a.html
A woman suffering from dementia was reported missing in American Canyon at 12:30 p.m. Sunday, but was found safe by late afternoon, the Napa County Sheriff’s Office reported Sunday.

 

2.         COLORADO (Cañon City), KRDO, May 6, 2013
UPDATE: Missing man found, reunited with family
http://www.krdo.com/news/police-seek-help-finding-missing-man-suffering-dementia/-/417220/20014550/-/mswonjz/-/index.html
Cañon City Police say a man who was missing, who suffers from severe dementia, was found Saturday afternoon. George Wetzler, 69, was found in the crowd at the Blossom Day Parade and was reunited with his family.

 

3.         OHIO (West Chester), Fox 19, May 6, 2013
Missing Adult Alert Cancelled for West Chester man
http://www.fox19.com/story/22165247/missing-adult-alert-issued-for-michael-hayward
West Chester Police have cancelled a Missing Adult Alert for an elderly man after he appeared at the West Chester Goodwill office and said he was lost.

 

4.         WASHINGTON, D.C., Mail Online, May 6, 2013
Grandmother with dementia found drowned in river after she wandered off flight to Washington DC after she ‘walked past airline representative family had sent to meet her’
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2320202/Grandmother-dementia-Victoria-Kong-missing-arriving-flight-DC-Barbados.html?ito=feeds-newsxml
An 83-year-old woman who went missing from Ronald Regan Washington National Airport has been found drowned in the Potomac River.  Victoria Kong, who suffers from dementia, reportedly walked past an American Airlines representative her family had sent to meet her when she got off a plane from Barbados on Friday.

 

5.         INTERNATIONAL (Saskatoon, Canada), CBC, May 5, 2013
Saskatoon dog helps police track down woman with dementia
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/story/2013/05/05/sk-missing-woman-found-by-stoon-dog.html
A Saskatoon dog is being praised for helping police track down a 65-year-old woman who had wandered away from her care home in the early hours of Sunday morning.

 

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Funding Opportunities:

  • May 15, 2013
    • Kendal Charitable Funds (KCF) is seeking proposals for promising innovations that will transform the experience of aging.  We are interested in ideas that can enhance the lives of an aging population, whether through services, research, and/or developing new understandings and awareness of the issue and opportunities.  We are looking for pilot projects that address one or more of these criteria.  We will give priority to opportunities that have the greatest potential for change and replication, for the greatest number of individuals. 
    • The proposed project must address one or more non-institutionalized populations, focusing on the following topic:
      • Elder Abuse: Identification and/or Prevention of one or more of the following
        • Financial
        • Physical
        • Emotional
        • Sexual 
    • For more information: www.kendalcharitablefunds.org
  • 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 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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