From California to Alabama, Rhode Island to Colorado, and South Carolina to Wisconsin, today’s newsfeed is replete with stories of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day activities. It is gratifying and inspiring to see the work that all of you are doing throughout the country. On behalf of the National Center on Elder Abuse – thank you!
NCEA Newsfeed – Friday, June 13, 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.
ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED
NATIONAL
ALABAMA (Enterprise), WSFA 12, June 11, 2014
Enterprise Mayor declares June elder abuse awareness month
http://www.wsfa.com/story/25754434/enterprise-mayor-declares-june-elder-abuse-awareness-month
Mayor Kenneth Boswell is encouraging all citizens to celebrate the lives and the value of Enterprise seniors. In 2013, the Alabama DHR received more than 6,000 reports of adult neglect, abuse or exploitation; this is a 10 percent increase from the previous year. "It is our collective responsibility to help make sure they live safely and with dignity," says Boswell.
ALABAMA (Montgomery), Montgomery Advertiser, June 12, 2014
Alabama voices: How Alabamians can combat elder abuse (Opinion)
It's been estimated that as many as 75,000 elder abuse cases occur in Alabama every year, although many are never reported. The problem is likely to get worse with more of us growing older, living longer and requiring more care. All Alabamians deserve the right to grow old without fear — especially the fear of being harmed or fleeced by someone they entrust with their care.
CALIFORNIA (La Jolla), La Jolla Light, June 13, 2014
La Jolla Crime News: Elder abuse suspect sneaked into facility where victim is recovering
http://www.lajollalight.com/2014/06/11/126039/
The estranged wife of a 91-year-old La Jolla resident, who is accused of abusing and denying him food and water, was captured on camera sneaking into the residential care facility where he has been on the mend since March. The alleged abuser tried to get him to sign a will and another document appointing her as conservator of his legal affairs.
COLORADO (Boulder), Daily Camera Boulder News, June 11, 2014
Anam Chara administrator Claire Gordon set for trial in elder-abuse case
An administrator for the now-closed Anam Chara home (a Boulder home for the elderly that helped residents through aging and death), has pleaded not guilty and is set for trial later this year after being indicted by a Boulder County grand jury in an elder-abuse case involving two counts of tampering with evidence, one count of negligence causing serious bodily injury to an at-risk person, and one misdemeanor count of neglect of an at-risk victim.
ILLINOIS (Chicago), Chicago Tribune, June 10, 2014
ICBA and DEVON BANK Provide Tips for Preventing Elder Financial Abuse
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA), the Senior Housing Crime Prevention Foundation (SHCPF), and Devon Bank are providing tips for preventing the disturbing trend of elder financial abuse.
ILLINOIS (Rockford), WREX News 13, Jun 12, 2014
Rockford couple charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person
A couple face charges tied to an investigation into financial documents of a woman approaching 90 years of age. Investigators say the suspects took at least $50,000 from the victim between 2010 and 2014.
IOWA (Burlington), The Hawk Eye, June 13, 2014
Spotting abuse
http://insurancenewsnet.com/oarticle/2014/06/13/spotting-abuse-a-517747.html#.U5tYNqLch7M
People say, 'Oh, this is Iowa. Those types of things don't happen. But it happens, and it happens with people you wouldn't expect’. "It's so grossly under-recognized and under-reported," said Linda Hildreth, Elder Abuse program director at the Iowa Department on Aging, "it's just hard to get good statistics on how prevalent it is."
MAINE (Augusta), Maine Sun Journal, June 11, 2014
Advocates alert Maine to pervasiveness of elder abuse
http://www.sunjournal.com/news/0001/11/30/advocates-alert-maine-pervasiveness-elder-abuse/1547822
No Maine senior is immune from elder abuse. Financial exploitation is the most common kind of elder abuse and vigilance is required to stay protected.
MAINE (York), Seacoast online, June 12, 2014
York police fight elder abuse
http://www.seacoastonline.com/articles/20140612-NEWS-140619913
Over 33,000 older Mainers each year report falling victim to financial exploitation, physical and sexual abuse, emotional abuse, neglect and abandonment each year. Bumper stickers that read “No Excuse for Elder Abuse” are being displayed on York Police Department cruisers through the month of June to help raise awareness of the serious public safety concern.
MASSACHUSETTS (Arlington), Wicked Local Arlington, June 11, 2014
Initiative will train Arlington responders to identify elder abuse
http://arlington.wickedlocal.com/article/20140611/NEWS/140618829
Every day across Middlesex County, EMTs, paramedics, police and fire personnel respond to medical emergencies involving seniors who trip and fall in their homes. What sometimes appears to be an accidental fall may, however, be an indicator of elder abuse or neglect. The program, which is also being piloted in Bedford, Burlington, Lexington and Medford, combines the national File of Life program with comprehensive, localized training for first responders on identifying and responding to elder abuse.
MASSACHUSETTS (Fall River), Taunton Daily Gazette, June 11, 2014
Bristol County agencies taking aim at growing issue of elder abuse
http://taunton.wickedlocal.com/article/20140610/NEWS/140619406
Bristol Elder Services, a Fall River-based nonprofit agency geared toward protecting and serving the elderly, has received more than 2,300 elder abuse reports since July 2013. They are kicking off an educational campaign to prevent elder abuse in recognition of the ninth annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15th.
MASSACHUSETTS (Melrose), Wicked Local Melrose, June 12, 2014
Gail Infurna, R.N.: Confronting elder abuse (Opinion)
http://melrose.wickedlocal.com/article/20140612/NEWS/140618497/12456/OPINION
June is National Safety Month and June 15 is World Elder Abuse Day, a good opportunity to discuss the signs of abusive behavior, ways seniors can better protect themselves and how we might be able to help someone in need.
MINNESOTA (North Metro), Star Tribune, June 13, 2014
Justice Center will fight elder abuse
http://www.startribune.com/local/north/262970771.html
An ambitious new resource will be added to the campaign against elder abuse in Minnesota, taking square aim at a growing 21st Century crime: financial exploitation of vulnerable adults. The new Minnesota Elder Justice Center will aid seniors concerned about being exploited financially.
NEW YORK (Syracuse), WRVO Public Media, June 11, 2014
Rise in elder abuse cases has central New York searching for answers
http://wrvo.org/post/rise-elder-abuse-cases-has-central-new-york-searching-answers
With an aging population, elder abuse is becoming more prevalent across the country and in central New York. Financial abuse has become one of the most common ways people take advantage of older Americans. Many of the same reasons that kept domestic violence under wraps for years are at work in the world of elder abuse.
NEW YORK (Long Island), The Island Now, June 12, 2014
Nurse’s aide slapped dementia patient
A nurse’s aide at North Shore Hospital’s rehabilitation center in Manhasset was arrested on Wednesday for slapping a 78-year-old woman with dementia patient across the face. The abuser faces four years in prison for the Jan. 26, 2013 incident on felony charges of endangering the welfare of an incompetent or physically disabled person.
NORTH CAROLINA (Hickory), Hickory Record.com, June 11, 2014
Elder abuse information offered at Senior Health Awareness Fair
Free health screenings and information about elder abuse will be available at the Senior Health Awareness Fair to be held on June 23. This event is sponsored by Adult Protective Services of Catawba County Social Services and the WPCOG - Area Agency on Aging in honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
NORTH CAROLINA (Lexington), The-Dispatch.com, June 10, 2014
Balloon release to mark Elder Abuse Awareness Day
In 2013, Davidson County received 399 reports of elder abuse. The Davidson County Department of Senior Services' Senior Dynamics program will host the second annual purple balloon release in recognition of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day at the Lexington Senior Center and the Thomasville Senior Center.
OHIO (Athens), AthensOhioToday.com, June 11, 2014
Elder Abuse Awareness Day is Friday
Last year Athens County Adult Protective Services investigated 110 reports of elder abuse, neglect, self-neglect or exploitation in the county. The director of the Athens County Department of Job and Family Services has asked the county commissioners to declare this Friday as Elder Abuse Awareness Day in the county.
OHIO (Allen County), LimaOhio.com, June 11,2014
Sandra Tate: Elder abuse a growing epidemic
http://www.limaohio.com/news/news/1421739/Sandra-Tate:-Elder-abuse-a-growing-epidemic
Once strong and independent the elderly are becoming old, frail, and unable to protect themselves and this makes them victims to the same type of abuse that children experience. Most are oblivious to the epidemic that’s taking place in this country - an epidemic in which more than half a million older adults are abused or neglected every year.
OHIO (Cincinnati), Cinncinnati.com, June 11, 2014
Column: Senior Services and changing demographics
Clermont County was the first county in Ohio to pass a property tax levy to support services for seniors age 60 and older. Much has changed in Clermont County since that first levy. The growing challenge in the business of providing services to seniors is waiting lists which recently surfaced in Hamilton and Clinton counties, the number of seniors requesting services exhausted available funds.
PENNSYLVANIA (Carlisle), The Sentinel, June 12, 2014
Elder abuse often not reported
Incidents of elder abuse are often under-reported for various reasons. Some victims may be unable to recognize or speak out due to cognitive impairments such as dementia.
RHODE ISLAND (Warwick), Johnston Sunrise, June 12, 2014
Elder abuse victims have a place to be cared for
The Saint Elizabeth Haven, a program for elderly victims of abuse, is committed to victims of emotional, physical and financial abuse. This is the only program in the state that offers this kind of protection for the elderly.
SOUTH CAROLINA (Charleston), Charleston Gazette, June 11, 2014
YWCA to ‘rock’ against elder abuse
http://www.wvgazette.com/article/20140611/GZ01/140619937/1101
The YWCA’s Shanklin Senior Enrichment Center is placing rocking chairs in high-traffic areas over the weekend to promote awareness for elder abuse. The Shanklin Center is an eight-bed facility that offers long-term residency to female victims of elder abuse who have become homeless as a result and is the only facility of its kind in the state.
SOUTH CAROLINA (West Columbia), CBS2 News, Jun 11, 2014
Elder abuse awareness program being held in SC
http://www.counton2.com/story/25746963/elder-abuse-awareness-program-being-held-in-sc
The Office on Aging in the South Carolina Lieutenant Governor's Office is hosting an Elder Abuse Awareness Day Conference. The free event on Wednesday in West Columbia includes discussions of such things as abuse and exploitation of the elderly, adult protective services, frauds and scams aimed at the elderly and low-cost legal services.
TEXAS (Victoria), VictoriaAdvocate.com, June 12, 2014
Address abuse, neglect of vulnerable elders
http://www.victoriaadvocate.com/news/2014/jun/12/vp_col_langer_061314_241806/?news
156,200 incidents of abuse - including self-neglect; physical, emotional and sexual abuse; neglect by others as well as financial abuse - have been reported in Texas, compared to the more than 16,500 incidents on average recorded in other states. UnitedHealthcare is partnering with organizations and care providers across the country to generate awareness of these issues now and on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Sunday.
WISCONSIN (Dane County), Wisconsin Public Radio, June 12, 2014
There Were More Than 6,000 Cases Of Elder Abuse In Wisconsin Last Year
http://www.wpr.org/there-were-more-6000-cases-elder-abuse-wisconsin-last-year
Last year there were more than 6,200 cases of suspected elder abuse reported in Wisconsin, and with World Elder Abuse Awareness Day coming up on Sunday, officials are trying to get the word out to prevent more cases from occurring. Dane County Sheriff Dave Mahoney spoke at a local senior center to increase awareness about elder abuse.
INTERNATIONAL
AUSTRALIA (Queensland), ABC News, June 12, 2014
Calls for action as elder abuse grows (Video)
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-06-13/calls-for-action-as-elder-abuse-grows/5523580?section=qld
Kristina Harazim reports on the growing scourge of elder abuse in the Queensland community and the calls for more action to protect some of the state's most vulnerable people.
CANADA (Ottawa), CNW Newswire, June 13, 2014
Harper Government announces elder abuse awareness project while highlighting World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
The Government of Canada is helping seniors from various backgrounds better protect themselves from elder abuse, the Minister of State recognized today in a speech held at Jewish Family Services of Ottawa. Canadians can help raise awareness of elder abuse by engaging in discussions, participating in related activities or helping an elder who may be in distress.
ENGLAND (Hitchin), The Advertiser, June 12, 2014
More than three quarters of abused older people in Herts not safeguarded
More than three quarters of the older people experiencing abuse in Hertfordshire every year are not safeguarded, new figures show. According to estimates from Hertfordshire County Council (HCC), 4,000 older people in the county experience abuse every year, yet last year only 833 were referred under the local safeguarding adults procedures.
INDIA (Hyderabad), Deccan Chronicle, June 11, 2014
Elderly ignored by government
http://www.deccanchronicle.com/140611/nation-current-affairs/article/elderly-ignored-government
While the policy looks into the issues of abuse, neglect, health care and also financial security, improper planning and lacunae in ensuring that the benefits reach the ground level has been a huge challenge. The issues of senior citizens are considered non-productive expenses by other ministries.
IRELAND (Northern Ireland), Carehome.co.uk, June 11, 2014
Northern Ireland's care home residents are vulnerable to financial abuse
http://www.carehome.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1563895/northern-irelands-care-home-residents
People in residential care and supported living services are among the most vulnerable in society and are at a higher risk of financial exploitation than the general population. A review into the finances of residential care and supported living service users, in Northern Ireland, has concluded that new measures are required to ensure that safeguarding procedures are not overlooked.
NEW ZEALAND (Parliament), June 13, 2014
Inclusive communities help prevent elder abuse
http://www.scoop.co.nz/stories/PA1406/S00182/inclusive-communities-help-prevent-elder-abuse.htm
Older people are entitled to feel safe and live free of fear, says Senior Citizens Minister Jo Goodhew. Each year approximately 2,000 older people are referred to Elder Abuse and Neglect Prevention (EANP) services across the country. “Communities need to share responsibility for their older people’s wellbeing. In a caring, inclusive community, elder abuse and neglect will not go unnoticed.”
ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
MINNESOTA (Austin), Austin Daily Herald, June 13, 2014
Cedar Valley Services worker banned for sex abuse
http://www.austindailyherald.com/2014/06/cedar-valley-services-worker-banned-for-sex-abuse/
A former Cedar Valley Services employee in Austin was banned from working with people receiving services from state-licensed facilities after allegedly groping and trying to coerce sex from a vulnerable adult in January and February of 2014.
NORTH CAROLINA (Cleveland County), WBTV.com, June 12, 2014
Man charged with assault, castration of mentally disabled cousin
http://www.wbtv.com/story/25764147/man-charged-with-assault-castration-of-mentally-disabled-cousin
A 50-year-old Cleveland County man was arrested after police say he assaulted and castrated his mentally disabled cousin who was in his care. The victim had severe injuries including broken bones, fractures, and bruises all over his body.
RELATED ISSUES
ARIZONA (Tucson), Arizona Daily Star, June 12, 2014
What older people in Pima County worry about
Older people already have plenty to worry about: The physical and mental wages of aging alone can be harrowing. Add poverty — or very limited resources — and you have a witches’ brew of adversity.
MINNESOTA (Bloomington), CBS Minnesota, June 12, 2014
Wealshire Is Helping Those With Dementia ‘Live With Pride & Dignity’
One care facility in the metro specializes in dementia treatment and takes advantage of the latest tools available to help. It’s called Wealshire Bloomington. There’s a full-time musician on staff, and daily activities from morning to night.
NEW YORK (Canandaigua), CNY News, June 13, 2014
Missing Vulnerable Adult Alert Issued For Area
http://cnynews.com/missing-vulnerable-adult-alert-issued-for-area-2/
90-year-old man with dementia and paranoia has been missing since June 12th at 2pm. He was driving a brown 1999 Infiniti I-30 with New York registration and may have traveled to the Ithaca area.
NEW YORK (New York), New York Times Magazine, June 11, 2014
The Sinaloa Cartel’s 90-Year-Old Drug Mule
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/15/magazine/the-sinaloa-cartels-90-year-old-drug-mule.html?hp&_r=0
Leo Sharp, the most prolific drug mule that regional law enforcement had ever tracked, was placed under arrest. The Sinaloa cartel’s nickname for him was well chosen. They called him Tata. Grandfather.
NEW YORK (Poughkeepsie), Poughkeepsie Journal, June 12, 2014
Poughkeepsie police: Missing disabled man may need care
A missing 52-year-old "vulnerable disabled adult" many need medical attention, appear confused or disoriented, City of Poughkeepsie Police said via news release. He was last seen Tuesday, leaving Mid-Hudson Regional Hospital on foot, wearing a gray sweatshirt and dark sweat pants.
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Upcoming Elder Abuse Conferences/Training Events (in chronological order):
• The annual Gulf Coast Elder Abuse Conference, “Don’t Let the Light Go Out,” will be held on June 16, 2014 from 8:00 AM-4:45 PM in Slidell, Louisiana. The conference will include six hours of continuing education credits for nurses, and credit is pending for lawyers, social workers, professional counselors, bankers, facility administrators and physical therapists. A partial list of topics includes: Recognition of Injuries, the Elder Justice Act, Competence & Capacity, Domestic Violence Grown Old, The Role of Banking in Preventing and Responding to Elder Financial Exploitation and Elder Abuse and the LGBT Community. Presenters include: Donald D. Akers Jr., JD; Harold S. Bartholomew Jr., JD; Jenefer Duane; Dean Hawley, MD; Candace J. Heisler, JD; Suzy Ritholz, PhD; Daniel Sheridan, PhD and Jane Thomas, JD. For details, e-mail WEAAD@STSALT.ORG. A complete list of topics, further details and registration information are available here: http://www.stsalt.org/GulfCoastElderAbuseConference.html.
• The 4th International Conference on Violence in the Health Sector will be held in Miami, Florida from October 22-24. Some of the aims of this conference are to understand the evolving manifestations and the human, professional and economic implications of violence in the health and social services sector, as well as to present, promote and exchange effective sustainable initiatives and strategies addressing personal safety, organizational and environmental security, and wellbeing for all workers and clients in the health and social services sector. To register or find more information go here: http://www.oudconsultancy.nl/MiamiSite2014/violence/invitation-fourt.html
• The National Adult Protective Services conference will take place in Portland, OR from October 29-31. The NAPSA conference is the only national conference focused on elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. For more information go to: http://www.napsa-now.org/about-napsa/annual-conference/
• 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.
• The National Conference on Health and Domestic Violence (held by Futures Without Violence) will be March 19-21, 2015 in Washington, DC. They are accepting abstracts for presentations through June 27, 2014. They have accepted proposals related to elder abuse in prior years. For more information, see: www.futureswithoutviolence.org/nchdv
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Funding Opportunities:
• The Administration for Community Living has issued two requests for proposals for two elder abuse-related grants. Please click on the links below to learn more:
HHS-2014-ACL-AOA-AB-0069 National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) Due 7/1/14 – more information at http://www.grants.gov/web/grants/view-opportunity.html?oppId=254210
• The Hartford Silberman Center of Excellence in Aging and Diversity at Hunter College (the “Center”) announces the opportunity to apply for funding for one-year pilot research projects to begin in the fall 2014. The Center will provide funding of up to $15,000 to support community-based research that advances psychosocial knowledge in aging and enhances direct and indirect practice with older adults and their families. Center faculty will provide grantees with research mentorship and technical assistance. The program is designed to support emerging gerontological scholars in conducting community-engaged, interdisciplinary research that benefits diverse, under-represented older adults and their families.
All proposals are due by midnight Monday, June 23, 2014 via email to Rebekah Glushefski at rglushef@hunter.cuny.edu.
Please contact Rebekah Glushefski, rglushef@hunter.cuny.edu, Program Manager or Daniel Gardner, dgardn@hunter.cuny.edu, Director of the Center Research Core if you have any additional questions.
• Applications for the Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation, administered by the Drucker Institute at Claremont Graduate University, with support from the Coca-Cola Foundation. The $100,000 prize will honor a nonprofit organization that best demonstrates Mr. Drucker’s definition of innovation: “Change that creates a new dimension of performance.”
o Applications due July 1, 2014.
o Additional information is available at http://www.druckerinstitute.com/project/nonprofit-innovation-award/ or 909-607-9212.
• Ribbons of Hope-Invest in Women will award a $100,000 grant to a nonprofit organization that promotes education, health, economic independence, social well-being, or human rights for woman or girls.
o Applications due July 1, 2014.
o Contact grants@ribbonsofhope.net or find out more information at http://www.ribbonsofhope.net/grants/ .
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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