NCEA Newsfeed
– Friday, July 12, 2013
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!
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, Financial Advisor Magazine, July 12, 2013
Elder Abuse, Fraud Awareness Campaign Urged By GAO
http://www.fa-mag.com/news/elder-abuse-awareness-urged-by-gao-14860.html
The nation needs an elder abuse awareness campaign, including information on
how to prevent seniors from falling victim to financial fraud, according to a
General Accountability Office study. Financial fraud against the elderly can
take longer to investigate than other types of senior abuse because financial
records can be difficult to obtain and because it is often harder to prove than
physical or emotional abuse, according to the GAO report released Wednesday.
2.
NATIONAL, KDLG, July 10, 2013
Chinatown ‘Blessing Scams’ Target Elderly Women
http://kdlg.org/post/chinatown-blessing-scams-target-elderly-women
In Chinatowns around the country — in San Francisco, Boston, Chicago, New York
— a peculiar financial scam is targeting elderly Chinese women. This so-called
"blessing scam" isn't much of a blessing. By asking lots of personal
questions, the scammers convince their targets that they face terrible tragedy
that they can only avoid if they place their valuables in a bag — and then pray
over it. Usually, the victims place their jewelry and money in a bag that the
thieves swap out for an identical one. And then the thieves tell the women not
to open the bag for days.
3. ALASKA
(Anchorage), Anchorage Daily News, July 11, 2013
BBB issues warning about elder abuse
http://www.adn.com/2013/07/11/2971682/bbb-issues-warning-about-elder.html
Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washingtonoffers
insight on identifying warning signs of elder abuse and selecting care
facilities.
4. ALASKA
(Anchorage), Anchorage Daily News, July 9, 2013
State charges 29 in Alaska with Medicaid fraud
http://www.adn.com/2013/07/09/2969070/state-charges-29-in-alaska-with.html
More than 25 caregivers paid by the state to help elderly and ill Alaskans with
basic tasks -- dressing, bathing, cleaning house, grocery shopping -- failed to
do the work but billed the state anyway, state and federal officials said
Tuesday in announcing a major Medicaid fraud investigation.
5.
CALIFORNIA (Crestline), Alpenhorn News, July 12, 2013
Caregivers arrested for elder abuse
http://alpenhornnews.com/caregivers-arrested-for-elder-abuse-p4114-1.htm
Sheriff’s deputies arrested a mother and son after the pair allegedly stole
money from a locked room belonging to the woman they were assisting. According
to Sheriff’s Department investigators, two suspects were arrested at the
elderly woman’s residence in Crestline, Saturday evening after the money
reported missing was discovered hidden in their vehicle.
6.
CALIFORNIA (Santa Barbara), KSBY, July 11, 2013
Woman wanted by Santa Barbara Police for elder abuse
http://www.ksby.com/news/woman-wanted-by-santa-barbara-police-for-elder-abuse/
Santa Barbara Police are looking for a woman wanted for elder abuse. Police say
a woman, 51, embezzled at least $40,000 from a 70 year old victim who suffers
from multiple sclerosis and cognitive deficiencies.
7. FLORIDA
(Tampa), My Fox Tampa Bay, July 11, 2013
Judge, horrified by photos of neglect, revokes bond
http://www.myfoxtampabay.com/story/22819206/2013/07/11/judge-horrified-by-photos-of-neglect-revokes-bond
Two sisters accused of neglecting their bedridden mother to the point she died
went to court Thursday to ask a judge to reduce their bond. Not only did the
judge say no, he went a step further by revoking their bond completely.
Investigators say that the woman’s bones could be seen through open sores and
insects were crawling in and out of her body.
8. ILLINOIS
(Chicago), Herald-Review, July 9, 2013
Elder abuse investigations welcome
http://herald-review.com/news/opinion/editorial/elder-abuse-investigations-welcome/article_0b249108-e856-11e2-896a-001a4bcf887a.html
Last week, Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law that creates an “adult protective
services unit” within the Department on Aging. As described by The Associated
Press, the unit will investigate cases of abuse, neglect and financial
exploitation of older people and adults with disabilities, require special
training for caretakers, and establish a team to investigate suspicious deaths.
9. ILLINOIS
(Chicago), Pantagraph, July 11, 2013
Adult protective service deserves utmost support
http://www.pantagraph.com/news/opinion/editorial/adult-protective-service-deserves-utmost-support/article_ec176ed4-ea3a-11e2-a638-0019bb2963f4.html
Last week, Gov. Pat Quinn signed a law that creates an “adult protective
services unit” within the Department on Aging. As described by Associated
Press, the unit will investigate cases of abuse, neglect and financial
exploitation of older people and adults with disabilities, require special
training for caretakers and establish a team to investigate suspicious deaths.
10. ILLINOIS (Decatur),
WAND 17, July 8, 2013
Area Organization to Investigate Abuse Against Disabled
http://www.wandtv.com/story/22788096/area-organization-to-investigate-abuse-against-disabled
The governor signs legislation to better protect the elderly and disabled from
abuse and exploitation. The act is supposed to expand protective services for
disabled adults who live at home.
11. NEW YORK (Oneida
County), Utica Observer-Dispatch, July 12, 2013
Seniors often targeted for theft; financial abuse common
http://www.uticaod.com/latestnews/x273434678/Seniors-often-targeted-for-theft-financial-abuse-common
Elder financial abuse takes many forms, but it is the most common form of elder
abuse in Oneida County. Kristin Palmer, coordinator of the Oneida County Elder
Abuse Coalition, said about 75 to 80 percent of the elder abuse cases she works
on involve financial abuse. A 2011 study by the New York State Coalition on
Elder Abuse found that 4.1 percent of the 4,000 older adults surveyed had
experienced financial exploitation in the previous year. But only 1 in 24 cases
of all kinds of elder abuse get reported to authorities, the study found.
12. OHIO (Newark),
Newark Advocate, July 11, 2013 (Opinion)
Demand safety in nursing homes
http://www.newarkadvocate.com/article/20130711/OPINION04/307110017/Demand-safety-nursing-homes?nclick_check=1
Attorney General Mike DeWine reports complaints about nursing home abuse and
neglect have nearly doubled this year. His office’s Medicaid Fraud Control Unit
is investigating 131 cases, compared to 74 for the same period in 2012. The
author calls on the public to demand that AG DeWine makes elder abuse a
priority.
13. PENNSYLVANIA
(Huntingdon), Trentonian, July 11, 2013
Trial delay in death of PA dementia patient
http://www.trentonian.com/article/20130711/NEWS03/130719892/trial-delay-in-death-of-pa-dementia-patient
The trial has been delayed for a caretaker charged in connection with the death
of a blind dementia patient whose body was found in a creek near a central
Pennsylvania assisted living facility. The suspect was charged with neglect and
involuntary manslaughter in October after the body of a 70-year-old woman in
her care was found in a creek about 100 yards from the care home.
14. PENNSYLVANIA
(Monroe County), The Morning Call, July 10, 2013
Police: Couple charged in death of older woman, misused victim’s trust fund
http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-d-monroe-ross-township-homicide-arrests-20130710,0,1501458.story
A couple has been charged with third-degree murder two years after the death of
an elderly woman in their care. Authorities say the suspects stole more than
$110,000 from the victim’s trust fund and unspecified amount from her
$1,300-a-month Social Security payments. The victim had lost more than 100 pounds
in less than a year and was wearing an adult diaper stained with urine, feces
and blood. She had numerous bed sores and died from a combination of
dehydration and choking on her own vomit.
15. PENNSYLVANIA
(Monroe County), Pocono Record, July 12, 2013
Neglect, like that alleged in Ross Township, is too easy to hide, say advocates
for the elderly
http://www.poconorecord.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20130712/NEWS/307120373/-1/news
This article discusses whether or not the alleged neglect of a 70-year-old
woman could have been prevented.
16. SOUTH CAROLINA
(Spartanburg), Go Upstate, July 12, 2013
Woman sentenced to prison for exploiting elderly home health patient
http://www.goupstate.com/article/20130625/ARTICLES/306251019
A Spartanburg woman will serve prison time for swindling an elderly home health
patient. The woman, 54, received a 10-year prison sentence on Tuesday. Circuit
Judge J. Mark Hayes II also ordered that she serve five years of probation
after she completes her prison sentence. Probation could be suspended earlier
if Harris repays restitution.
17. TEXAS (Houston),
New Old Age, July 10, 2013
Unable to Cope, Unwilling to Accept Aid
http://newoldage.blogs.nytimes.com/2013/07/10/unable-to-cope-unwilling-to-accept-aid/
Self-neglect is believed to account for nearly 40 percent of all cases of abuse
and neglect in the elderly. Once, elderly adults of this sort were considered
eccentric or alarmingly idiosyncratic. Today, researchers believe they have underlying
medical or mental health issues — depression, dementia and delirium top the
list — that compromise their ability to function and care for themselves,
according to a recent panel sponsored by the Institute of Medicine.
18. INTERNATIONAL (Hagåtña,
Guam), Guam PDN, July 13, 2013
Public Health to have own emergency adult home
http://www.guampdn.com/article/20130713/NEWS01/307130017/Public-Health-own-emergency-adult-home
Since last October, 203 senior citizens or adults with disabilities, were
referred to the Bureau of Adult Protective Services because of abuse or
neglect. Department of Public Health and Social Services Director James Gillan
said the agency's current emergency receiving home is being rented from
Catholic Social Service. With the help of the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal
Authority, the department will soon see its own emergency receiving home built
in Agat.
19. INTERNATIONAL
(London, United Kingdom), The Information Daily, July 12, 2013
Quality of dementia treatment in hospitals is still lacking, warns report
http://www.theinformationdaily.com/2013/07/12/quality-of-dementia-treatment-in-hospitals-is-still-lacking-warns-report
The second National Audit of Dementia, published today, found that the
treatment of patients with dementia in hospitals is sub-par. The audit,
commissioned by the Healthcare Quality Improvement Partnership, and carried out
by the Royal College of Psychiatrists, found that many hospitals are failing to
implement written policies and provide adequate care pathways for patients with
dementia.
ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
1.
CALIFORNIA (Sacramento), The Sacramento Bee, July 10, 2013
Audit finds California developmental centers botched abuse investigations
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/07/10/5556033/audit-finds-california-developmental.html
A state audit in California has shown staffing, leadership and
operational deficiencies in state developmental centers, including failure to
respond quickly and properly to some abuse complaints. In one abuse
investigation, officers did not file written declarations from two staff
members accused of committing the offense, auditors said.
2. COLORADO
(Wheat Ridge), Denver Post, July 11, 2013
Man gets 25 years for attacking disabled woman in Wheat Ridge
http://www.denverpost.com/breakingnews/ci_23640962/man-gets-25-years-attacking-disabled-woman-wheat
A man who attacked a disabled woman in Wheat Ridge has been sentenced to 25
years in prison. Anthony Andrew Lucero, 30, was sentenced last week for the May
2012 attack and attempted carjacking involving a 50-year-old disabled woman in
the Wheat Ridge Recreation Center parking lot, according to the Jefferson
County District Attorney's Office.
3. FLORIDA
(Pinellas County), WFSU, July 12, 2013
Assisted Living Facility Still Open After License Revoked
http://news.wfsu.org/post/assisted-living-facility-still-open-after-license-revoked
A state appeals court has, for the second time, allowed a South Florida
assisted living facility for young adults with developmental disabilities to
keep accepting clients. Health regulators have been trying to close the
center for years. Members of one Pinellas County family protesting at the
Statehouse earlier this month say they don’t want other families to endure what
they have.
4. KENTUCKY
(Louisville), Wave 3, July 9, 2013
Wheelchair bound rape victim’s call for help finally heard
http://www.wave3.com/story/22799441/wheelchair-bound-rape-victims-call-for-help-finally-heard
A disabled woman who was scheduled to be a witness for the prosecution of a
different case was able to alert a district attorney that her caregiver had
been sexually assaulting her. The caregiver turned out to be a sex offender who
failed to register with authorities in his area. The suspect was charged with
sodomy and sexual abuse.
5.
MASSACHUSETTS (Kingston), Wicked Local, July 11, 2013
Kingston Police seeking felony charges after driver leaves two disabled
passengers in hot van July 5
http://www.wickedlocal.com/plymouth/news/x946750784/Kingston-Police-seeking-felony-charges-after-driver-leaves-two-disabled-passengers-in-hot-van-July-5
Kingston Police are seeking two felony counts after a Habilitation Assistance
van driver left two disabled passengers in a van in the company’s parking lot
for two to three hours on a hot Friday, July 5. The state law under which the
two felony counts would be filed reads, “Whoever, being a caretaker of an elder
or person with a disability, wantonly or recklessly commits or permits another
to commit abuse, neglect or mistreatment upon such elder or person with a
disability, shall be punished by imprisonment in the state prison for not more
than three years, or imprisonment in the house of correction for not more than
2-1/2 years, or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or by both such fine and
imprisonment.”
6. MICHIGAN
(Marquette), Upper Michigan Source, July 11, 2013
Don’t be careless when selecting caregivers
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=920489#.UeA9TNLnvTo
Studies show that people with developmental disabilities are four to ten times
more likely to have acts of violence committed against them. This article gives
advice on how to conduct thorough background checks on potential caregivers in
order to protect loved ones against abuse.
7. NEW
JERSEY (Manchester), Asbury Park Press, July 10, 2013
Cops: Manchester mom left daughter’s body in filthy home
http://www.app.com/article/20130709/NJNEWS14/307090130/manchester-mom-disabled-daughter-death?nclick_check=1
The body of a 32-year-old disabled woman was found in a filthy mobile home,
after police say it had been decaying for weeks. Police came to the home to
investigate a report of a foul odor and flies. The woman was dependent on her
mother, who did not report the woman’s death but continued to receive her
daughter’s Social Security checks. The mother was charged with aggravated
manslaughter, desecrating human remains and neglect of a disabled adult, and
pleaded not guilty.
8. NEW
JERSEY (Somerville), NJ.com,
July 12, 2013
Montclair woman gets probation for stealing from developmentally disabled woman
http://www.nj.com/somerset/index.ssf/2013/07/montclair_woman_gets_probation_for_stealing_from_developmentally_disabled_woman.html
A Somerville woman was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay
restitution to the developmentally disabled woman from who she stole more than
$2000 while serving as her caregiver.
9. NEW
JERSEY (Toms River), USA Today, July 9, 2013
Mom pleads not guilty in death of disabled daughter
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/09/nj-mom-disabled-daughter-death/2502335/
A woman has pled not guilty to charges of aggravated manslaughter, desecrating
human remains and neglect of a disabled adult in connection with her daughter’s
death. She allegedly failed to report her daughter’s death, while continuing to
cash her Social Security checks.
10. WASHINGTON
(Seattle), Seattle Pi, July 12, 2013
Prosecutors: Man caught raping developmentally disabled employee at Ballard
warehouse
http://www.seattlepi.com/local/article/Prosecutors-Man-caught-raping-developmentally-4660687.php
A supervisor at a Ballard warehouse caught raping a developmentally disabled
worker while on the clock had a dismissive response after he was caught in the
act, according to charges filed earlier this month. The 42-year-old woman
“would not know the difference,” the suspect told a coworker, according to
charging papers. The suspect, a 54-year-old Des Moines resident, is now charged
with second-degree rape.
11. WISCONSIN (Racine),
The Northwestern, July 11, 2013
Woman accused of keeping autistic son locked in basement for 2 years
http://www.thenorthwestern.com/viewart/20130711/OSH0101/307110245/Woman-accused-keeping-autistic-son-locked-basement-2-years
A Racine mother and her boyfriend are accused of locking her autistic adult son
in the basement for more than two years, forcing him to relieve himself in a
bucket and allowing him upstairs only to brush his teeth or wash his face.
Police responded to a call from the victim’s grandmother, who claimed that her
grandson was being kept in his mother’s locked basement and shocked with a dog
collar. The victim’s mother and her boyfriend were charged with being parties
to the crime of abusing an at-risk person.
12. WISCONSIN (Racine),
Wausau Daily Herald, July 11, 2013
Wis. Mom accused of keeping autistic son locked up
http://www.wausaudailyherald.com/viewart/20130711/WDH0101/307110262/Wis-mom-accused-keeping-autistic-son-locked-up
A Racine mother and her boyfriend are accused of locking her autistic adult son
in the basement for more than two years, forcing him to relieve himself in a
bucket and allowing him upstairs only to brush his teeth or wash his face.
13. INTERNATIONAL
(Hobeni, South Africa), VOA News, July 11, 2013
Mentally Disabled Women Endure Intense Abuse in South Africa
http://www.voanews.com/content/mentally-disabled-women-endure-intense-abuse-in-south-africa/1699827.html
South African women who suffer from conditions such as cerebral palsy and fetal
alcohol syndrome often face abuse at the hands of a society that does not
understand their conditions.
14. INTERNATIONAL
(Calderwood, United Kingdom), East Kilbride News, July 10, 2013
Carer left vulnerable man in car in sub-zero temperatures
http://www.eastkilbridenews.co.uk/lanarkshire-news/local-news-lanarkshire/local-news-east-kilbride/2013/07/10/carer-left-vulnerable-murray-man-in-car-in-sub-zero-temperatures-68653-33589539/
A vulnerable Calderwood man was left in freezing temperatures for more than two
hours by his on-call carer. At Hamilton Sheriff Court the former carer was
found guilty of willfully neglecting a man who was paralysed from the waist
down and had learning difficulties, as Arctic conditions gripped the town in
2010.
RELATED ISSUES
1.
NATIONAL, Huffington Post, July 12, 2013
Dementia and Wandering: A View From Search and Rescue
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-baldridge/dementia-wandering_b_3575493.html
The author discusses that while not all wandering by dementia patients can be
prevented, there are measures that can be taken to keep dementia patients safe.
2.
ILLINOIS (Chicago), CBS Local, July 10, 2013
Elderly Woman With Dementia Missing From Auburn Gresham
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/07/10/elderly-woman-with-dementia-missing-from-auburn-gresham/
Police are asking for the public’s help to find an elderly woman with dementia
who went missing from the South Side Auburn Gresham neighborhood Tuesday.
Fatimah Shabazz, 70, was last seen about 4 p.m. in the 7900 block of South
Laflin Street, according to an alert issued by Area South detectives.
3.
MICHIGAN (Byron Township), WZZM 13, July 12, 2013
UPDATE: Missing dementia patient found
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/261374/48/Deputies-seeking-missing-dementia-patient
Kent County deputies say they have located a 72-year-old dementia patient
apparently got lost while driving around yesterday and stopped to stay at a
local motel when night arrived.
4.
MINNESOTA (Minneapolis), CBS Local, July 12, 2013
Woodbury Police Need Help to Find Missing Vulnerable Adult
http://minnesota.cbslocal.com/2013/07/12/woodbury-police-need-help-to-find-missing-vulnerable-adult/
The Woodbury Police Department is asking for the public’s help to try and find
a vulnerable adult who has been missing since Wednesday. Authorities said Kyle
Konkler, 19, likely walked away from his Woodbury home on White Eagle Drive in
the Eagle Valley neighborhood and hasn’t been seen since. Police said they are
concerned he might get himself into potentially dangerous situations.
5.
OHIO (Medina County), Cleveland.com, July 10, 2013
Medina County officials are seeing increases in opiate dependency among
caregivers
http://www.cleveland.com/medina/index.ssf/2013/07/medina_county_officials_are_se.html
Louise Brown, social services administrator for Medina County Job and Family
Services, says her department has seen a definite increase in cases of opiate
addiction in parents and caregivers.
6.
PENNSYLVANIA (Harrisburg), Sacramento Bee, July 9, 2013
Single Largest Investment for Older Adult Programs Included in 2013-2014 Budget
http://www.sacbee.com/2013/07/09/5555204/single-largest-investment-for.html
Secretary of Aging Brian Duke today praised Governor Tom Corbett and the
legislature for the additional $50 million that has been included in the
2013-14 budget for programs that will benefit older Pennsylvanians. This
unprecedented increase will enable older Pennsylvanians to remain living in
their homes and communities and have access to long-term care services. This
comes at a time when there is more demand for services due to the rising number
of older adults living in Pennsylvania.
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Funding Opportunities:
- 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 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/
· The Illinois Department on Aging’s 2013 Adult Protection and Advocacy Conference will be held on August 1-2, 2013, at the Chicago Oak Brook Hills Marriott Resort. On July 31st, Illinois’ 2nd Annual Financial Summit will be held in conjunction with the conference. For more information, and to register, go to http://cspl.uis.edu/ILLAPS/DOA/conferences/APAconf.html
· 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 20th Annual New York State Adult Abuse Training Institute will be held on October 9-10, 2013 at the Albany Marriott Hotel in Albany, New York. Further details to follow.
· 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. Register here: http://www.cdaa.org/training/seminar-conference-registration?regevent_action=register&event_id=154
· The 3rd World Congress on Adult Guardianship will be convened on May 28-May 30, 2014 in the Washington DC Metropolitan Area. It is sponsored by the National Guardianship Network in affiliation with the International Guardianship Network. The theme of the conference is, “Promising Practices to Ensure Excellence in Guardianship Around the World.” Proposals for presentations are due July 31. See http://worldcongressguardianship.org
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