NCEA Newsfeed – Thursday, May 21, 2012 (only 24 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!
Calendar of upcoming elder abuse and neglect events can be found at the bottom of the newsfeed entries.
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ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED
1. ARKANSAS (Pope County), Today’s THV, May 18, 2012
Caretaker Shannon Ortega facing elderly abuse charges
http://www.todaysthv.com/news/article/211431/2/Caretaker-faces-elderly-abuse-charges
A Russellville woman is facing abuse charges of exploitation and neglect of a 74-year-old man. The woman is accused of stealing over $200,000 and providing inadequate care for the elderly man.
2. ARKANSAS (Russellville), Arkansas Matters, May 18, 2012
Russellville Woman Accused of Exploiting and Neglecting Elderly Man
http://arkansasmatters.com/fulltext?nxd_id=542482
A 44-year-old former caregiver is accused of spending more than $200,000 of 74-year-old Robert Deason, the man she was supposed to care for.
3. CALIFORNIA (Bakersfield), Turn to 23, May 17, 2012
Elder Abuse Awareness Conference
http://www.turnto23.com/news/31080045/detail.html
The 15th annual Elder Abuse Conference was held at Hodel’s in Bakersfield and hundreds of people attended the event to raise awareness and help stop elder abuse.
4. CALIFORNIA (Fresno), KSEE 24, May 17, 2012
Crooks Steal Widower’s Wedding Ring in Latest Fresno Elder Abuse Scam
http://www.ksee24.com/news/local/Elder-Abuse---AAS-151974205.html
Living alone made a Fresno man the target of two crooks, a man and a woman, who took advantage of him last week. The suspects persuaded the man to welcome them into their house and offered to do some contract work. While the man was distracted, the couple was able to steal the man’s wedding ring, wrist watch, and wallet.
5. CALIFORNIA (Porterville), KMPH, May 21, 2012
Financial Elder Abuse: Porterville Caregiver Accused
http://www.kmph.com/story/18576255/financial-elder-abuse-porterville-caregiver-accused
A Porterville woman who worked at an elderly care home has been arrested on suspicion of financial elder abuse. The suspect confessed to stealing more than $28,000 from an 87-year-old woman.
6. CALIFORNIA (Sacramento), Sacramento Business Journal, May 18, 2012
Elder Abuse attorneys sue state over fraud victims
http://www.bizjournals.com/sacramento/news/2012/05/18/elder-abuse-lawyers-sue-calif-fraud-vict.html
Fed up with delays and only partial compensation to 500 seniors who paid former Roseville attorney James Walker for services they never got, elder abuse attorneys have filed a lawsuit against the California Secretary of State for failure to pay restitution from a little-known state fund established to compensate victims of corporate fraud.
7. CALIFORNIA (San Diego), Coronado Patch, May 21, 2012
Sheriff Warns of Scams Targeting the Elderly
http://coronado.patch.com/articles/sheriff-warns-of-scams-targeting-the-elderly
Investigators who look into reports of elder abuse have learned of at least two recent scams, according to a San Diego County Sheriffs Department news release. Authorities are trying to warn the community in hopes of preventing future losses.
8. CALIFORNIA (San Francisco), San Francisco Examiner, May 17, 2012
S.F. scam suspects tied to nationwide ring
http://www.sfexaminer.com/blogs/law-and-disorder/2012/05/sf-scam-suspects-tied-nationwide-ring
Authorities are casting a wide net in their hunt for “shameless” foreign con artists who have been targeting older Chinese women in multiple U.S. cities, including San Francisco.
9. CALIFORNIA (San Francisco), San Jose Mercury News, May 17, 2012
Three arrested in connection with scam targeting older Asian women
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_20650745/san-francisco-three-arrested-connection-scam-targeting-older
Three women have been arrested and charged in connection with a scam targeting older Chinese women in San Francisco and other major cities around the U.S. in the past few months. At least 25 victims fell for the scam around the city, losing hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of cash and jewelry.
10. CALIFORNIA (San Francisco), New America Media, May 18, 2012
‘Silent Crime’ – Defrauding Elders Grows in Ethnic Communities
http://newamericamedia.org/2012/05/silent-crime----defrauding-elders-grows-in-ethnic-communities.php
Nationally, fraud against seniors is on the rise, according to the 2011 “MetLife Study of Financial Elder Abuse." In only three years such crimes grew by 12 percent, becoming a $2.9 billion problem.
11. CALIFORNIA (Santa Cruz), San Jose Mercury News, May 17, 2012
Jury: Santa Cruz gardener took advantage of woman and her son, awards $700k
http://www.mercurynews.com/breaking-news/ci_20645214/jury-santa-cruz-gardener-took-advantage-woman-and
A jury has determined a Santa Cruz man who received thousands of dollars from a woman who hired him as a caretaker took unfair financial advantage of her and her blind son.
12. COLORADO (Rocky Ford), Denver Post, May 18, 2012
Jury says man died due to Rocky Ford nursing home’s negligence; state differs
http://www.denverpost.com/news/ci_20650685/jury-says-man-died-due-rocky-ford-nursing
A jury awarded the family of a deceased former nursing home resident $3.2 million for negligence by Pioneer Healthcare. The man was found with 16 facility-acquired infections and 34 injuries, including bedsores.
13. MASSACHUSETTS (Brockton), Boston City Biz List, May 19, 2012
Old Colony Elder Services to Set Up Information Booths
http://boston.citybizlist.com/7/2012/5/19/Old-Colony-Elder-Services-to-Set-Up-Information-Booths.aspx
For World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, Old Colony Elder Services will have information booths set up at local pharmacies and supermarkets on preventing and detecting elder abuse.
14. NEW JERSEY (Trenton), NJ Spotlight, May 21, 2012
New Jersey Considers Law to Prevent ‘Granny Snatching’
http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/12/0520/2037/
The New Jersey Legislature is considering a new law to prevent an elder abuse known as “granny snatching” by joining a multi-state network that protects adults who need the assistance of a guardian when families feud.
15. NORTH CAROLINA (New Hanover County), May 19, 2012
Elder abuse, neglect increases in county
http://www.starnewsonline.com/article/20120519/ARTICLES/120519628/1177?Title=Elder-abuse-neglect-increases-in-county
Reports of abuse or neglect of elderly and disabled people in New Hanover County increased nearly 14 percent in less than a year, according to Department of Social Services statistics for the current and previous fiscal years.
16. TENNESSEE (Davidson County), WBIR, May 18, 2012
Sealing of conservator cases raises concerns
http://www.wbir.com/news/article/220216/2/Sealing-of-conservator-cases-raises-concerns?odyssey=tab%7Ctopnews%7Cbc%7Clarge
Conservatorship reform advocates claim that by sealing the courtroom at Reese Witherspoon’s father’s conservatorship case, the presiding judge may hinder efforts to curb guardianship abuse and prevents the public from performing its watchdog role over the court system.
17. TEXAS (Corpus Christi), KIII News, May 17, 2012
Preventing abuse of the elderly
http://www.kiiitv.com/story/18510943/preventing-abuse-of-the-elderly
Local professionals came together for the 6th Annual Senior Professional Symposium to teach seniors how to detect and prevent elder abuse.
18. VIRGINIA (Chesterfield), Midlothian Exchange, May 17, 2012
Elder abuse topic of event
http://www2.midlothianexchange.com/news/2012/may/17/elder-abuse-topic-event-ar-1922929/
The Chesterfield Council on Aging will present “Dynamics of Elder Abuse” from 9 to 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 24, at Lucy Corr Village, 700 Lucy Corr Blvd., Chesterfield.
19. VIRGINIA (Floyd County), SWVA Today, May 18, 2012
Financial abuse of the elderly
http://www2.swvatoday.com/news/2012/may/18/financial-abuse-elderly-ar-1924500/
A Community Dialogue on financial abuse among older adults was convened at The Jacksonville Center for the Arts Thursday, with a panel of professionals outlining the scope of the problem and some ways to deal with it.
20. INTERNATIONAL (Windsor, Canada), Windsor Star, May 19, 2012
Senior’s rare coin collection swiped
http://www.windsorstar.com/life/Senior+rare+coin+collection+swiped/6647991/story.html
An 87-year-old woman invited a man into her house to discuss the value of her coin collection. When she went to the kitchen she heard the man leave with her entire collection. The 68-year-old suspect is beign charged with theft under $5,000. The maximum jail sentence is two years.
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ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
1. CALIFORNIA (Monterey County), San Francisco Chronicle, May 17, 2012
Monterey County care home sued over fatal fire
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/05/16/MNOJ1OJ67N.DTL
The families of three developmentally disabled adults killed in a fire at a Monterey County residential care center have sued the owners and operators of the business, claiming negligence and inadequate staffing.
2. NEW YORK (Buffalo), WGRZ, May 21, 2012
Judge Dismisses Cummings’ Suit Against Erie County and Sheriff
http://www.wgrz.com/news/article/168964/37/Judge-Dismisses-Cummings-Suit-Against-Erie-County-and-Sheriff
A Supreme Court Judge has dismissed a lawsuit filed by the estate of Laura Cummings against Erie County and Erie County Sheriff Tim Howard. Laura Cummings was a 23-year-old mentally challenged woman from North Collins who was tortured, raped and killed by her mother and brother.
3. VERMONT (Dorset), Manchester Journal, May 20, 2012
Bennington man charged with prescription drug theft
http://www.manchesterjournal.com/local/ci_20665791/bennington-man-charged-prescription-drug-theft
A 19 year-old Bennington man has been charged with Burglary, Financial Exploitation of a Vulnerable adult, Possession of a Controlled/Regulated drug and as a Habitual Offender in connection with an alleged theft of prescription drugs from a 53 year-old Dorset resident.
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Upcoming Elder Abuse Conferences/Training Events (in chronological order):
· National Survey on Abuse of People with Disabilities: Add your knowledge and expertise regarding abuse and individuals with any type of disability across the lifespan. Take the survey then forward it widely, to help in the dissemination effort. Click here to take the survey.
· Legal Assistance for Seniors presents their 7th Annual Conference on Elder Abuse will take place on May 21, 2012 at UC Hastings College of the Law in San Francisco. Register at http://elderabuseconference.eventbrite.com
· 9th Annual National Summit will be held on May 24, 2012 presented by Elder Financial Protection Network in San Francisco at the Holiday Inn Golden Gateway. http://www.bewiseonline.org/call-to-action-2012/
· Providing Trauma-Informed Care to Sexual Violence Survivors in Later Life. A free webinar on May 29, 2012 presented by the Lifespan project of the National Sexual Violence Resource Center. Presenters will be Holly Ramsey-Klawsnik, PhD, Nancy Newton, MFA, and Karla Vierthaler, MPA. RSVP to kdaugherty@nsvrc.org
· Virginia Coalition for the Prevention of Elder Abuse 18th Annual Conference, May 30 - June 1, 2012, Virginia Beach Resort & Conference Center, Virginia Beach, VA. Online Registration at www.VCPEA.org
· “New Federal Efforts to Combat Elder Financial Abuse” is a webinar presented by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. It will take place on June 6, 2012 at 11:00am PT. Registration is limited, so please register early by emailing your request to academylms@projects.sdsu.edu.
· Tools of the Trade – Building Financial Exploitation Cases, in Orlando, Florida, June 6-8, 2012. Presented by the Florida Attorney General’s Office and the Florida Bar Elder Law Section’s, Committee on Elder Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation. More information at: http://www.fcpti.com/fcpti.nsf/forms/994CFB73522535CA852579CD0072AAA1
● 2012 Florida Conference on Aging (August 20-22, 2012). Presented by The Florida Council on Aging (FCOA) and the Florida Association of Aging Services Providers (FASP), in partnership with the Florida Department of Elder Affairs (DOEA). The theme this year will be Aging: New Game – New Rules http://www.fcoa.org/FCOA%20Sponsor%20Brochure%202012%20FINAL.pdf
· The Consumer Voice recently announced a brand new "Advocacy in Action" day of training, sharing and advocating, September 10, 2012 in Washington, DC and they will host our day of training in conjunction with the National Association of States United for Aging and Disabilities (NASUAD) National Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Conference starting September 11th.
● The 19th Annual New York State Adult Abuse Training Institute will be held October 2-4, 2012, Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, Albany , New York . This year’s theme is Broken Trust: How to Recognize and Respond to Financial Exploitation. Oct 2 : Financial Exploitation Summit. More information: http://www.compassionandsupport.org/pdfs/news/10212-AATIConf.pdf
● 2012 NAPSA Conference: Ending Adult Abuse: On the Horizon? (October 16-18). This event in Phoenix, Arizona will be followed by the 3rd Annual Elder Financial Exploitation Summit on October 19, 2012. Email info@apsnetwork.org for more information.
· Rosalynn Carter Institute for Caregiving, 25th Annual National Summit, Enabling Caring Communities: Promoting Evidence-Based Programs Across the Lifespan, October 24-25, 2012, Georgia Southwestern State University, Americus, GA For more information go to : http://www.rosalynncarter.org/
· California District Attorneys Association 2012 National Elder Abuse Symposium (December 4-7, 2012) Guest speakers to include Paul Greenwood, San Diego County Deputy District Attorney, Bob Nichols, Retired Marin County Deputy District Attorney, and many more. More information coming soon
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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