Newsfeed
– Monday, July 8, 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, AARP, July 3, 2013
Is It Elder Financial Fraud? 5 Signs It May Be “Yes”
http://blog.aarp.org/2013/07/03/sally-abrahms-elder-financial-abuse-signs/
This article gives a list of resources to identify and combat elder financial
abuse.
2.
CALIFORNIA (Benicia), Times Herald, July 8, 2013
Benicia man arrested on suspicion of elder abuse, violence
http://www.timesheraldonline.com/news/ci_23617838/benicia-man-arrested-suspicion-elder-abuse-violence
A 34-year-old man Benicia man was arrested Saturday on a host of elder
abuse-related allegations. The suspect has been accused of slapping, holding a
knife to, strangling, slapping and threatening a 66-year-old woman in her home,
Benicia police say.
3.
CALIFORNIA (Redondo Beach), Digital Journalo, July 2, 2013
CA State Senator hosts Scam Stopper talks to help elderly
http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/353592
The California Department of Business Oversight, formerly known as the Dept. of
Corporations, the Contractors State License Board and other agencies
collaborated this past June 14 to raise awareness of fraud and financial abuse
of senior citizens with "Elder Abuse Awareness Day."
4.
CALIFORNIA (Ukiah), Ukiah Daily Journal, July 8, 2013
Intoxicated son arrested for elder abuse of father
http://www.ukiahdailyjournal.com/news/ci_23619722/intoxicated-son-arrested-elder-abuse-father
A 19-year-old man is accused of pushing his elderly and disabled father out of
his wheelchair during a disagreement. The suspect was allegedly intoxicated,
and was charged with Elder/Dependent adult abuse and vandalism.
5.
GEORGIA (Atlanta), The Augusta Chronicle, July 8, 2013
Georgia going after elder abuse
http://chronicle.augusta.com/news/crime-courts/2013-07-08/georgia-going-after-elder-abuse?v=1373293624
By the end of summer, police officers across the state will have viewed a
training video during roll call on recognizing and investigating cases of
abuse, neglect and exploitation of the elderly and disabled. The Georgia
Association of Chiefs of Police developed the video at the recommendation of a
multiagency task force examining the issue, which initiated its production even
before completing its final report.
6.
GEORGIA (Atlanta), The Inquisitr, July 2, 2013
Dozens Charged In Georgia Nursing Home Abuse Investigation
http://www.inquisitr.com/827120/dozens-charged-in-georgia-nursing-home-abuse-investigation/
Agents for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation issued a warrant on Tuesday to
search for additional evidence as part of a three-month long probe into the
Alzheimer’s Care of Commerce, a facility 65 miles northeast of Atlanta. Nearly
two dozen former employees are facing more than 70 charges stemming from
cruelty afflicted upon Alzheimer’s patients; these included documented acts of
physical abuse such as staff members striking patients.
7.
GEORGIA (Atlanta), Gainesville Times, July 7, 2013
Licensing, training important in choosing elder care
http://www.gainesvilletimes.com/section/6/article/85882/
When a Georgia caregiving center for elderly individuals with Alzheimer’s
became national news for alleged abuse and neglect, it brought to mind several
questions that families may have when planning care for older relatives. The
Associated Press reported that, following a three-month investigation of
Alzheimer’s Care of Commerce, 21 employees had charges including cruelty to
people 65 or older, along with accusations of abuse, neglect and financial
exploitation, filed against them last week.
8.
ILLINOIS (Chicago), The State Journal-Register, July 2, 2013
New law to help protect elderly, disabled
http://www.sj-r.com/breaking/x1806115018/New-law-to-help-protect-elderly-disabled#axzz2YVEmGVQL
Gov. Pat Quinn says he's signed a new law to better protect elderly Illinois
residents and adults with disabilities. Quinn signed the legislation on Monday
to create an adult protective services unit within the state Department on
Aging. It will be responsible for investigating cases of abuse, neglect and
financial exploitation of older people and adults with disabilities. The law
also requires special training for caretakers and establishes a team to
investigate suspicious deaths.
9.
ILLINOIS (Chicago), WREX, July 2, 2013
Adult Protective Services Act signed into law
http://www.wrex.com/story/22741421/2013/07/02/adult-protective-services-act-signed-into-law
Governor Pat Quinn signed the Adult Protective Services Act into law Monday to
help protect Illinois' seniors and individuals with disabilities. House Bill
948 creates an agency to protect adults within the Department on Aging. The
agency will investigate abuse, neglect, and financial exploitation of seniors
and adults with disabilities. A special team to investigate suspicious deaths
will also be established.
10.
IOWA (Des Moines), Des Moines Register, July 8, 2013
Branstad blocks addition of two advocates for seniors
http://www.desmoinesregister.com/article/20130708/NEWS10/307080051/Branstad-blocks-addition-two-advocates-seniors
Gov. Terry Branstad has vetoed a plan to increase the number of ombudsmen that
advocate for seniors in Iowa nursing homes.
11.
MARYLAND (Salisbury), WBOC, July 2, 2013
Salisbury Woman Convicted of Exploiting Vulnerable Adult
http://www.wboc.com/story/22745227/salisbury-woman-convicted-of-exploiting-vulnerable-adult
A Salisbury woman will spend two months in jail after being convicted in
Wicomico County Circuit Court on Tuesday of felony financial exploitation of an
elderly woman under her care.
12.
MICHIGAN (Marquette), Upper Michigan Source, July 8, 2013
Young Marquette man charged with elder abuse
http://www.uppermichiganssource.com/news/story.aspx?id=918907#.Udtl0tLnvTo
A 21-year-old Marquette man faces two years in prison for allegedly abusing a
vulnerable adult who was in his care. He was also charged with possession of
marijuana.
13.
OHIO (Cincinnati), Cincinnati.com,
July 5, 2013
Services available to stop, protect against elder abuse
http://news.cincinnati.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/AB/20130705/NEWS01/307050083/&nclick_check=1
Clermont Senior Services is under contract with the Department of Jobs and
Family Services to investigate and resolve elder abuse. Last year, more than
200 elderly men and women in Clermont County were reported at-risk of abuse,
neglect or exploitation. The law requires that reports must be investigated
within 24 hours. Through this program, the needs of the most vulnerable -
abused, frail older adults of our communities - can be helped, and their
quality of life raised to a safe level.
14.
OHIO (Columbus), Pike County Daily, July 5, 2013
DeWine announces increase in nursing home abuse and neglect complaints
http://www.pikecountydaily.com/community/article_2f4bd822-1426-51f0-803a-c6a8ab9e26b1.html
Ohio Attorney General Mike DeWine today announced that his Medicaid
Fraud Control Unit (MFCU) has recently seen a spike in complaints regarding
alleged abuse and neglect at Ohio nursing homes. So far this year, the Attorney
General’s Office has opened 131 abuse and neglect cases, as compared to 74
cases in the same time period last year.
15. OHIO (Mason), Mason
Buzz, July 8, 2013
Shalom Center raises awareness of elder abuse
http://masonbuzz.com/2013/07/08/shalom-center-raises-awareness-of-elder-abuse/
For World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15, volunteers and staff from the
Shalom Center for Elder Abuse Prevention in Mason visited local emergency rooms
and rescue squads to spread awareness about elder abuse prevention. They handed
out baked goods and information about elder abuse prevention. The materials
included purple bracelets that say: “Shalom Center. Break the silence.”
16. INTERNATIONAL
(Ontario, Canada), The Globe and Mail, July 5, 2013
Store owner advocates against elderly abuse
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/store-owner-advocates-for-the-elderly/article13049890/
A vacuum cleaner store owner in Peterborough, Ontario, discovers his passion
for fighting for elder justice.
17. INTERNATIONAL (East
Yorkshire, United Kingdom), July 8, 2013
Dementia sufferer, 82, almost drowned by care worker who left her submerged in
the bath while she chatted for 15 minutes
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2358405/Dementia-sufferer-suffered-brain-damage-care-worker-Natalie-Gillan-left-submerged-bath.html
A senior care worker almost drowned an 82-year-old dementia sufferer by leaving
her submerged in a bath while she chatted for 15 minutes, a court heard today.
The suspect was looking after one of the most vulnerable patients at Windsor
Court Care Home. The victim suffered brain damage following the incident - but
when the suspect was initially quizzed by the woman’s family about the incident
she lied and said the victim had suffered a stroke, Hull Crown Court was told.
18. INTERNATIONAL
(Sandwell, United Kingdom), Sandwell.gov.uk, July 3, 2013
New guidelines for reporting abuse of vulnerable adults
http://www.sandwell.gov.uk/news/article/2485/new_guidelines_for_reporting_abuse_of_vulnerable_adults
Safeguarding bosses in Sandwell have adopted new guidelines for preventing and
tackling adult abuse. "Safeguarding Adults: Multi Agency Policy and
Procedures" sets out what organisations and people should do to protect
adults at risk.
ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
1.
ILLINOIS (Chicago), Belleville News-Democrat, July 2, 2013
Governor signs law to protect disabled adults after BND investigation
http://www.bnd.com/2013/07/01/2679189/governor-signs-law-to-protect.html
Gov. Patrick Quinn signed a bill into law Monday intended to greatly expand
protection for adults with disabilities who live at home. The law was inspired
by an investigative series in the Belleville News-Democrat.
2.
ILLINOIS (Chicago), Northwest Herald, July 8, 2013
Senior Services Associates to expand its reach
http://www.nwherald.com/2013/07/03/senior-services-associates-to-expand-its-reach/akrca0j/
Newly signed legislation opens the door for added protections for adults with
disabilities and gives a broader reach to a local agency. When Gov. Pat Quinn
last week signed the Adult Protective Services Act, it provided better
safeguards for individuals with disabilities. With the legislation, Crystal
Lake-based Senior Services Associates, an agency that helps elderly people who
are abused, has been authorized to help a younger population.
3.
NEW JERSEY (Manchester), USA Today, July 5, 2013
Mom charged after daughter’s decomposed body found
http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/07/05/nj-mom-charged-after-daughters-decomposed-body-found/2493947/
A woman is facing charges after her disabled adult daughter’s body was
discovered by police in New Jersey. The suspect never reported her daughter’s
death, and continued to collect her daughter’s Social Security checks.
4.
NEW JERSEY (Toms River), NorthJersey.com, July 8, 2013
N.J. mom pleads not guilty in disabled daughter’s death
http://www.northjersey.com/news/NJ_mom_pleads_not_guilty_in_disabled_daughters_death.html
A southern New Jersey woman has pleaded not guilty to aggravated manslaughter
charges stemming from the death of her disabled adult daughter, whose
decomposed remains were found in the home they shared. The suspect also faces
charges of desecrating human remains and neglect of a disabled adult in the
death of her 32-year-old daughter, who authorities say was homebound and
dependent on her mother for care. The suspect did not report her daughter’s
death to federal officials and was still getting her daughter’s disability
checks.
5. NEW JERSEY (Toms River), NJ.com,
July 8, 2013
Ocean County mom accused in disabled daughter’s death appears in court
http://www.nj.com/ocean/index.ssf/2013/07/ocean_county_mom_accused_in_disabled_daughters_death_appears_in_court.html
The Manchester Township woman charged last week in the death of her disabled
daughter apparently moved out of the mobile home where her daughter died days —
or possibly weeks — before police found the 32-year-old woman's body, neighbors
said today.
RELATED ISSUES
1.
NATIONAL, Medical Daily, July 8, 2013
Doctors Urged To Discuss Gun Safety With Elderly Patients
http://www.medicaldaily.com/articles/17190/20130708/physicians-gun-safety-elderly-patients-elderly-suicide.htm
Despite the divisive nature of the great American gun debate, heath
experts are advising physicians to broach the subject of gun safety with
elderly patients, reminding them that they have the legal right to do so.
Although gun safety advocates focus more on households with children, at least
some evidence suggests that firearms in the home may pose lethal dangers to the
elderly, wrote Marshall B. Kapp, a public health expert, on Monday in Annals
of Internal Medicine.
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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
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