NCEA | Newsfeed Collection

NCEA Newsfeed – Monday, July 16, 2012

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.         NATIONAL, Huffington Post, July 13, 2012
Elder Abuse: Study Finds Agencies Recruit Dangerous Caregivers
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/07/13/elderly-abuse-agencies-recruit-inexperienced-caregivers_n_1670971.html
New research from Northwestern Medicine suggests that many nursing agencies recruit people with no experience to provide in-home care for seniors off Craigslist. The study, published Friday in the Journal of American Geriatrics Society, found that many agencies nationwide fail to conduct criminal background checks or drug testing for new hires and don't require any real experience or training, which may lead to elder abuse.

2.         NATIONAL, WGMD 92.7, July 13, 2012
Measure Co-Sponsored by Sen Coons to Protect Seniors moves to full Senate
http://www.wgmd.com/?p=63336
Legislation co-sponsored by Senator Chris Coons has been voted out of committee to be heard by the full Senate.   The measure will protect seniors and persons with disabilities from neglect and financial exploitation by improving oversight and accountability for court-appointed guardians and conservators.  The Guardian Accountability and Senior Protection Act provides funding for state courts to assess the handling of proceedings relating to guardians and conservators.

3.         ALABAMA (Cullman), ABC 3340, July 13, 2012
Sex predators could be living in nursing homes
http://www.abc3340.com/story/19023644/sex-predators-could-be-living-in-nursing-homes
The Silver Haired Legislature will ask Alabama legislature to pass a bill that guarantees that residents of nursing homes and other care facilities receive notifications when anyone with a sexual abuse history is admitted. Virginia and Oklahoma have already passed similar laws.

4.         ALABAMA (Jasper), CBS 42, July 15, 2012
Nursing home concerns and the elderly
http://www.cbs42.com/content/localnews/story/Nursing-home-concerns-and-the-elderly/7M_ZMKulN0aFwg0lQLKr_A.cspx
The Silver Haired Legislature, made up of 105 seniors throughout the state, is asking State Legislators to pass a law requiring nursing homes to alert residents and their family members if a convicted sex offender is admitted into their facility.

5.         ALABAMA (Jasper), WLTZ.com, July 16, 2012
Families face fears when putting elderly relatives into nursing homes
http://www.wltz.com/story/19031663/families-face-fears-when-putting-elderly-relatives-into-nursing-homes
The Silver Haired Legislature is asking Alabama lawmakers to pass laws help keep senior citizens safe in nursing homes. Among the group's proposals: a law requiring nursing homes to alert residents and their family members if a convicted sex offender is admitted into the facility.

6.         ILLINOIS (Chicago), Chicago Sun Times, July 16, 2012 (Opinion)
Elderly suffer when decisions about their care are unclear
http://www.suntimes.com/business/savage/13800601-452/elderly-suffer-when-decisions-about-their-care-are-unclear.html
This columnist discusses the ambiguity that plagues many situations where adult children make provisions for their parents’ care.

7.         KANSAS (Lawrence), Salina.com, July 13, 2012
3 of 8 claims tossed in Kan. Elder abuse lawsuit
http://www.salina.com/news/story/k1807-BC-KS-RetirementCenterL-07-13-0408-clone
A judge has dismissed three of eight claims in a lawsuit claiming an elderly resident was sexually assaulted at a Lawrence retirement center. The family of 87-year-old Jean Allen alleges in the lawsuit that she was assaulted at the Brandon Woods at Alvamar in 2010 and that the staff concealed the crime.

8.         KANSAS (Lawrence), LJ World, July 12, 2012
3 claims dismissed in elder abuse suit
http://www2.ljworld.com/news/2012/jul/12/3-claims-dismissed-elder-abuse-suit/
A Douglas County judge has dismissed three of eight claims in a lawsuit filed against a man alleging an 87-year-old resident was sexually assaulted and staff members acted to conceal it.

9.         LOUISIANA (New Iberia), Teche Today, July 16, 2012
Elderly Protective Services safety net for the abused, incompetent
http://www.techetoday.com/view/full_story/19342781/article-Elderly-Protective-Services-safety-net-for-the-abused--incompetent?instance=home_news_lead
Elderly Protective Services was created by the Louisiana legislature in 2008 as part of the Governor’s Office on Elderly Affairs. It has just been moved to the Office of Aging and Adult Services under the Department of Health and Hospitals. Its purpose is to investigate reports of abuse, advocate for a possible solution and work with law enforcement, medical personnel and various agencies to find a solution.

10.       MISSOURI (Pulaski County), Waynesville Daily Guide, July 12, 2012
New legislation strengthens Missouri’s law protecting seniors and persons with disabilities
http://www.waynesvilledailyguide.com/news/x1798687891/New-legislation-strengthens-Missouri-s-law-protecting-seniors-and-persons-with-disabilities
Gov. Jay Nixon signed Senate Bill 689, which strengthens protections for seniors and persons with disabilities. The new law expands the definition of financial exploitation against seniors and persons with disabilities to include “undue influence”. This change will give local prosecuting attorneys greater ability to go after those in a position of power who financially exploit senior citizens or persons with disabilities, including those with legal guardianship or power of attorney.

11.       NEW YORK (Batavia), The Batavian, July 16, 2012
Hearing on constitutionality of elder abuse law in Simmons case delayed again
http://thebatavian.com/howard-owens/hearing-constitutionality-elder-abuse-law-simmons-case-delayed-again/32887
The hearing on the case of the 26-year-old woman who assaulted a 70-year-old Walmart employee on Christmas eve has been postponed until July 30^th. The suspect has turned down an offer to plead guilty to the second count of the indictment – a Class D felony assault charge with the elder abuse provision.

12.       NORTH CAROLINA (Orange County), ACO News, July 15, 2012
Local organization helps elderly and their families
http://www.aconews.com/news/local/article_61c9a0ea-cb9a-11e1-916f-001a4bcf887a.html
Daniel Collins, founder and director of PSA—a local agency dedicated to helping the elderly and their families prepare for aging and prevent abuse— says there are about 83 million baby boomers, and, since January of this year, 10,000 a day turn 65. With only 16,995 nursing facilities nationwide, according to the Health Care Financing Administration, that are filled to the brim, understaffed and underfunded, Collins said the aging population needs professional help.

13.       TEXAS (El Paso), KFoxTv.com, July 12, 2012
Previous attempts to help killing suspect, 81, denied
http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/news/local/previous-attempts-to-help-killing-suspect-denied/nPr6Z/
An 81-year-old man is behind bars, accused of shooting and killing his wife. Advocates of the elderly say this crime could have been prevented, but multiple attempts to intervene were shot down. Last spring, the suspect had admitted that his wife beat him and that he was afraid of her, but refused to press charges.

14.       UTAH (Salt Lake City), Deseret News, July 15, 2012
Fleecing seniors: Scammers target the elderly for financial abuse
http://www.deseretnews.com/article/765589697/Fleecing-seniors-Scammers-target-the-elderly-for-financial-abuse.html?pg=all
Elder financial abuse was called the "crime of the 21st century" in a recent joint study by the MetLife Mature Market Institute, the Center for Gerontology at Virginia Tech and the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. They said America's senior citizens lost at least $2.9 billion in 2010, a 12 percent jump from 2008's estimates.

15.       WASHINGTON (Wahkiakum County), TDN.com, July 14, 2012
Wahkiakum County’s only nursing home forced to close with little notice
http://tdn.com/news/local/wahkiakum-county-s-only-nursing-home-forced-to-close-with/article_3b9f0e64-ce38-11e1-8958-0019bb2963f4.html?comment_form=true
A nursing home has announced its upcoming closure, giving just 2 months notice for its employees and residents to find new jobs and placement. This closure reflects the struggles of the entire nursing home industry. Rural nursing homes in particular have had a tough time surviving because they often must admit more low-income residents than urban facilities.

16.       INTERNATIONAL (Ontario, Canada), The Sudbury Star, July 14, 2012
Waiting for beds for of Sr. abuse: Advocate
http://www.thesudburystar.com/2012/07/14/waiting-for-beds-form-of-sr-abuse-advocate
The treatment of frail elderly people, who are in hospital or at home awaiting a long-term care bed, is tantamount to elder abuse, says the chair of a seniors' advocacy group.

17.       INTERNATIONAL (Strathcona County, Canada), Sherwood Park News, July 13, 2012
Elder abuse line up and running
http://www.sherwoodparknews.com/ArticleDisplay.aspx?e=3593750
On June 1, A Safe Place’s crisis line added services for elder abuse to respond to any phone calls asking for help in situations of this form of abuse. The line had been operating for several years before last summer, when a working group formed with the idea of creating a service that can be used to help residents cope with elder abuse, with the idea to introduce it through an existing local resource that people are already aware of.

18.       INTERNATIONAL (Dublin, Ireland), Irish Central, July 13, 2012
Maureen O’Hara fires her assistant, removes power of attorney from her
http://www.irishcentral.com/news/Maureen-OHara-fires-her-assistant-removes-power-of-attorney-from-her---162332696.html
91-year-old actress Maureen O’Hara has fired her former personal assistant amid accusations of financial elder abuse. She has admitted that she is heartbroken as she launches a legal battle against the woman who had served as her power of attorney for the past six years.

19.       INTERNATIONAL (Oxford, United Kingdom), Oxford Mail, July 14, 2012
Care home warned over risk of abuse
http://www.oxfordmail.co.uk/news/yourtown/wantage/9817412.Care_home_warned_over_risk_of_abuse/
A CARE home has been criticised by a watchdog for failing to investigate minor injuries and bruises. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) gave Coxwell Hall Nursing Home and Mews in Faringdon a formal warning notice following an unannounced inspection in April.

20.       INTERNATIONAL (Oxford, United Kingdom), ITV, July 13, 2012
Serious failings at nursing home
http://www.itv.com/news/meridian/2012-07-13/serious-failings-at-nursing-home/
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has taken action to demand immediate improvements after identifying serious failings at a nursing home in Oxfordshire. Following an unannounced inspection, CQC found that the provider, Sovereign (Coxwell Hall) Limited, had been failing to meet the government’s essential standard relating to safeguarding people from abuse. As a result, CQC issued a formal warning notice setting a deadline for improvement.

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ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

1.         GEORGIA (Carroll County), My Fox Atlanta, July 13, 2012
2 women accused of elder abuse in Carroll County
http://www.myfoxatlanta.com/story/19018941/2-women-accused-of-elder-abuse-in-carroll-county
Two women are facing charges of unlawful neglect of a disabled adult after Carroll County Sheriff’s Office discovered a 57-year-old woman in poor condition, who appeared to be suffering from malnutrition.

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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.

●    The National Association of VOCA Assistance Administrators, through a grant from OVC, is seeking proposals for projects to raise public awareness of victims’ rights and services in communities during National Crime Victims’ Rights Week (NCVRW), April 21-27, 2013. For more information and an application, visit the NCVRW Community Awareness Projects site. The deadline to apply is July 18, 2012.

●    Texas Summit on Elder Financial Exploitation sponsored by the Houston Financial Abuse Specialist Team and Better Business Bureau Education Foundation will take place Friday, August 3, 2012, 8:30 am to 3:30 pm.
http://houston.bbb.org/texas-elder-financial-exploitation-summit/

●    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 Ruleshttp://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/

·       American Public Health Association’s 140^th Annual Meeting and Exposition, October 27-31, 2012 in San Francisco, California. The theme this year is Prevention and Wellness Across the Life Span. For details, visit: http://www.apha.org/meetings/AnnualMeeting/

·       The Gerontological Society of America’s Sixty-Fifth Annual Scientific Meeting, Charting Frontiers in Aging, will take place from November 14-18, 2012, in San Diego, California. For details, visit: http://www.geron.org/annual-meeting

·         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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