NCEA Newsfeed –
Friday, August 2, 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, 10 Thousand Couples, August 1, 2013
Elder Abuse: If We Don’t Take Care of Each Other, Who Will?
http://10thousandcouples.com/issue/july-2013/article/elder-abuse-if-we-don-t-take-care-of-each-other-who-will
This article gives an overview of elder abuse and discusses the unique factors
for LGBT older adults.
2.
ARIZONA (Phoenix), AZ Family, July 31, 2013
Father, sons plead not guilty to animal, elder abuse charges
http://www.azfamily.com/news/Father-sons-plead-not-guilty-to-animal-elder-abuse-charges-217801321.html
A father and his two adult sons all pleaded not guilty to animal abuse and
elder abuse at their arraignments Wednesday. The suspects were arrested earlier
this month after police discovered the body of their 73-year-old mother and
wife in a 1996 Dodge Ram van. That van was packed to the ceiling with food,
feces and other filth, as well as more than a dozen cages containing 12 dogs,
22 cats and a pigeon.
3.
ARIZONA (Phoenix), AZ Daily Sun, July 31, 2013
Court: ‘Elder abuse’ also applies to hospitals
http://azdailysun.com/news/local/state-and-regional/court-elder-abuse-also-applies-to-hospitals/article_9b93f98a-f9a0-11e2-811b-001a4bcf887a.html
Arizona hospitals are subject to being sued under the state’s “elder abuse”
laws, the state Court of Appeals ruled Tuesday. Without dissent, the judge
rejected the arguments by attorneys for two major hospitals that the laws are
designed to give individuals and their families a way to bring suit against
nursing homes and assisted care facilities.
4.
ARIZONA (Phoenix), My Fox Phoenix, August 1, 2013
Arizona court: Law allows suits against hospitals
http://www.myfoxphoenix.com/story/22987181/arizona-court-law-allows-suits-against-hospitals
A new Arizona court decision says lawsuits filed under a state law to protect
vulnerable or incapacitated adults from neglect, abuse and exploitation can be
filed against hospitals. The state Court of Appeals decision overturns two
trial judges' rulings that the Adult Protective Services Act doesn't apply to
acute-care hospitals.
5.
CALIFORNIA (Rancho Bernardo), Pomerado News, July 31, 2013
Preventing elder abuse: Helpful tips presented in RB
http://www.pomeradonews.com/2013/07/31/preventing-elder-abuse-helpful-tips-presented-in-rb/
Tips on identifying and eliminating elder abuse were presented in Rancho
Bernardo to around 75 seniors and others who work with them. The free Raising
Elder Abuse Awareness informational seminar was sponsored by Exclusive Estate
Administration, Ron Greenwald & Associates and The Remington Club on July
24.
6.
ILLINOIS (Ford County), WAND TV, July 31, 2013
Man accused of financial exploitation of an elderly person
http://www.wandtv.com/story/22978320/man-accused-of-financial-exploitation-of-an-elderly-person
A man is behind bars, accused of stealing his father's social security checks.
He was charged with financial exploitation of an elderly person. The charge
accused the suspect of acting as the representative payee, receiving
20-thousand dollars in social security and pension benefits.
7.
IOWA (Estherville), Estherville Daily News, July 30, 2013
Woman charged with stealing from elderly victim
http://www.esthervilledailynews.com/page/content.detail/id/518571/Woman-charged-with-stealing-from-elderly-victim.html?nav=5003
An Estherville woman is accused of taking money from an elderly victim. The
suspect was charged with Dependent Adult Abuse and Ongoing Criminal Conduct.
The charges were filed as a result of an ongoing investigation between the Iowa
Department of Human Services and the Estherville Police Department.
8.
FLORIDA (Stetson), The Gabber, July 30, 2013
Stetson Elder Law Presents Fraud Awarness
http://www.thegabber.com/stetson-elder-law-presents-fraud-awareness-cms-2277
Stetson Elder Law presents Elder Consumer Fraud Awareness on Wednesday, August
7 at 1 p.m. at the Gulfport Multipurpose Senior Center, 5501 27th Ave. S. Learn
about consumer fraud and scams aimed at older adults, ways to help protect
yourself, and what to do if you become a victim.
9.
MASSACHUSETTS (Pittsfield), Berkshire Eagle, July 31, 2013
Pittsfield man, 44, admits neglecting mother, threatening family member
http://www.berkshireeagle.com/ci_23769696/pittsfield-man-44-admits-neglecting-mother-threatening-family
A drug-addicted man who admitted he let his sick mother to live in filth with
little food and no medical care, while keeping other family members at bay, was
sentenced to 18 months in jail on Wednesday.
10.
MISSOURI (North County), Florissant Patch, August 1, 2013
Couple Charged With Elder, Animal Abuse in Urine-Soaked, Infested Home
http://florissant.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/couple-charged-with-elder-animal-abuse-in-urinesoaked-infested-home
A North County couple are accused of keeping an elderly woman and more than 50
animals in deplorable conditions, with the floor and furniture covered in pet
urine and dried and fresh animal feces.
11.
NEBRASKA (Kimball City), Omaha.com,
July 30, 2013
Ex-councilman in western Nebraska sentenced for theft
http://www.omaha.com/article/20130730/NEWS/130739856/1707
A former Kimball city councilman will spend six months in jail and pay nearly
$20,000 in restitution for funds he embezzled from an elderly woman. Scott
Haun, 50, agreed to a plea agreement on charges of theft of property and
attempted abuse of a vulnerable adult. According to court documents, a plea
agreement in the case was entered on July 22 and Haun was sentenced on the same
date.
12.
NEW HAMPSHIRE (Concord), NH Magazine, August 1, 2013
How To Recognize and Stop Elder Abuse
http://www.nhmagazine.com/August-2013/How-To-Recognize-and-Stop-Elder-Abuse/
Susan Staples, coordinator of the Abuse in Later Life Project for the Attorney
General’s office in New Hampshire, speaks on the prevalence of the hidden issue
of elder abuse in Pennsylvania.
13.
NEW YORK (New Cassel), News Day, July 31, 2013
Josue Bonilla convicted in attack on man with dementia
http://www.newsday.com/long-island/nassau/josue-bonilla-convicted-in-attack-on-man-with-dementia-1.5806805
A New Cassel man was convicted Wednesday of first and second-degree assault in
an attack that has left a 68-year-old man with dementia in a coma since April.
Bonilla was acquitted of several other charges, including robbery, after a
weeklong trial.
14.
NORTH CAROLINA (Tarboro), Daily Southerner, July 31, 2013
10 charged defrauding elderly
http://dailysoutherner.com/x751143230/10-charged-defrauding-elderly
Ten men, including nine from Rocky Mount and three from Edgecombe County, have
been arrested and charged with more than 75 counts of defrauding seniors as
part of Operation Nail It. Charges include obtaining property by false
pretenses, conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses and elder
exploitation.
15.
NORTH DAKOTA (Bismarck), Bismarck Tribune, July 31, 2013
New laws on vulnerable adults, concealed weapons and crash reporting go into
effect Thursday
http://bismarcktribune.com/news/state-and-regional/new-laws-on-vulnerable-adults-concealed-weapons-and-crash-reporting/article_f568d3fa-fa2b-11e2-b90a-0019bb2963f4.html
Beginning Thursday, all medical and mental health professionals or personnel
who provide healthcare or other services will be required to report possible
abuse, neglect and exploitation of a vulnerable adult to authorities. Senate
Bill 2323 requires more than 20 medical or mental health professionals to
report such incidents.
16.
PENNSYLVANIA (Dallas), PA Homepage, July 29, 2013
PA Officials Team-Up to Prevent Elder Abuse, Scams
http://www.pahomepage.com/story/pa-officials-team-up-to-prevent-elder-abuse-scams/d/story/e8GD5toaf02a74kp910whA
Pennsylvania Attorney General Kathleen Kane and other state leaders came to
Misericordia University on Monday to talk about an epidemic targeting
Pennsylvania's enormous elderly population. "Our office receives 2,000
phone calls on the senior abuse hotline every single year. That is a staggering
number. And that's just our office," said Ms. Kane. She says many of those
calls concern scams aimed at seniors.
17.
TEXAS (Houston), The Daily Mail, July 30, 2013
Elderly man kept hostage in a Houston garage for a year so ‘captor could cash
his welfare checks’ dies just a week after being freed
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2381894/Elderly-man-kept-hostage-Houston-garage-year-captor-cash-welfare-checks-dies-just-week-freed.html
An elderly man who was locked in a Houston garage for more than a year so his
captor could allegedly cash in his welfare checks has died a week after he was
freed. William Merle Greenawalt, 79, was one of three men held captive in the
garage without beds or bathrooms on July 19, police said. A fourth man was
found in the property's house.
18.
TEXAS (Houston), Houston Chronicle, July 30, 2013
Elderly victim held in garage ‘dungeon’ dies
http://www.chron.com/news/houston-texas/article/Elderly-victim-held-in-garage-dungeon-dies-4696014.php
One of three elderly men held in what was called a Houston garage
"dungeon" has died, according to Houston police. William Merle
Greenawalt, 79, was the eldest of three malnourished men who were discovered on
July 19 inside a stifling garage. The men were found in a renovated garage,
which did not have a bathroom. They were not shackled or tied up, police said,
but an elaborate series of locks kept them from getting out.
19.
TEXAS (Houston), New York Post, July 31, 2013
Elderly man held captive in Texas garage ‘dungeon’ dies just days after being
freed
http://www.nypost.com/p/news/national/elderly_after_being_captive_freed_yQlSVchl9hW5ZyNkdEF0iO
One of three men found malnourished and held against their will in a
dungeon-like garage of a Houston house has died. A suspect was arrested at the
scene July 19, when the men were found. The 31-year-old suspect remains jailed
on two counts of injury to the elderly with serious bodily injury.
20. INTERNATIONAL (Sri Jayawardenapura Kotte, Sri Lanka), July 30, 2013
Emotional life of the elderly
http://www.island.lk/index.php?page_cat=article-details&page=article-details&code_title=84697
This article discusses the evolving treatment of older adults in Sri Lanka, and
the elder abuse that has resulted.
21.
INTERNATIONAL (East Sussex, United Kingdom), Eastbourne Herald, July 30, 2013
Group will help combat abuse of elderly people
http://www.eastbourneherald.co.uk/news/local/group-will-help-combat-abuse-of-elderly-people-1-5331552
A new group to help combat abuse of the elderly has been launched in Eastbourne
by a charity and East Sussex County Council. The community-based scheme to
combat elder abuse and support victims launched in town on Thursday, July 25.
National charity Action on Elder Abuse, with the help of East Sussex County
Council, is launching the support group which will be run by volunteers.
ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES
1. ALABAMA
(Mobile), Al.com,
August 1, 2013
Mobile social worker waives hearing on allegations of keeping disabled brother
in feces-infested bed
http://blog.al.com/live/2013/08/mobile_social_worker_waives_he.html
A state Department of Human Resources employee accused of abusing her mentally
and physically disabled brother gave up her right to a preliminary hearing
Thursday, allowing the charge to be sent to a grand jury.
2. MICHIGAN
(Flint), MLive, July 30, 2013
Flint social worker charged with exploiting vulnerable adults to cash in food
stamp benefits
http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2013/07/flint_social_worker_charged_wi.html
A Flint social worker is facing two dozen charges after he was accused of
operating a criminal enterprise exploiting vulnerable adults in order to cash
in their food stamp benefits.
3.
MINNESOTA (New Ulm), KEYC, July 31, 2013
New Ulm Reaches Plea Deal in Pill Theft Case
http://www.keyc.com/story/22981946/new-ulm-doctor-reaches-plea-deal-in-pill-theft-case
A New Ulm doctor accused of stealing pain medication makes a plea deal.
Authorities say Doctor David Miller stole 56 Oxycontin pills from a vulnerable
adult at an assisted–living facility back in February.
4.
MINNESOTA (Woodbury), Jamestown Sun, July 31, 2013
Group home worker accused of rape
http://www.jamestownsun.com/event/article/id/192008/
A Woodbury man stands accused of sexually assaulting a vulnerable adult living
at a group home. The suspect, 59, made his first court appearance July 22 on
two felony counts of third-degree criminal sexual conduct and one count of
criminal sexual abuse by staff of a vulnerable adult, a gross misdemeanor.
5. NEVADA
(Las Vegas), My News 3, July 30, 2013
Disabled son dead, Vegas mom held on murder charge
http://www.mynews3.com/mostpopular/story/Disabled-son-dead-Vegas-mom-held-on-murder-charge/wyoa0PpuFk2mBQIJuUQwvg.cspx
Police say a 51-year-old Las Vegas woman mailed off a nine-page suicide note
before giving her mentally disabled adult son a lethal dose of prescription
medication and trying to kill herself with an overdose. The woman was
hospitalized pending a court appearance on a felony murder charge in the death
of her son.
6. NORTH
CAROLINA (Fayetteville), Fay Observer, August 1, 2013
Fayetteville police charge Fort Bragg soldier with exploiting and neglect of a
disabled adult
http://www.fayobserver.com/articles/2013/07/31/1273158?sac=fo.local
A Fort Bragg soldier is accused of befriending a mentally challenged man and
spending more than $4,000 of the man's money, according to arrest warrants.
7. NORTH
CAROLINA (Fayetteville), WRAL, August 1, 2013
Soldier charged with exploiting disabled man
http://www.wral.com/soldier-charged-with-exploiting-disabled-man/12729456/
A 23-year-old Fort Bragg soldier is accused of befriending a mentally disabled
man and spending nearly $4,300 of his money.
8. VERMONT
(St. Johnsbury), WCAX, August 1, 2013
St. Johnsbury woman accused of exploiting vulnerable adult
http://www.wcax.com/story/22985133/st-johnsbury-woman-accused-of-exploiting-vulnerable-adult
A St. Johnsbury woman is in hot water after she missed her day in court. Police
say the suspect was arrested Monday for financial exploitation of a vulnerable
adult and for credit card fraud, but didn't show up to her arraignment
Wednesday.
RELATED ISSUES
1. GEORGIA
(Coweta), Medical Daily, July 30, 2013
Coweta Woman Found: 78-Year Old with Dementia Covered In Barbed Wire And Bites,
Remains In Critical Condition
http://www.medicaldaily.com/articles/17947/20130730/coweta-woman-found-dementia.htm
A missing Coweta county woman with dementia was recovered Tuesday afternoon by
Georgia authorities. The Atlanta-Journal Constitution reports that after a
weekend-long search effort, 78-year-old Eleanor Alexander was found injured and
immediately flown by helicopter to Atlanta Medical Center, where she remains in
critical condition as of Tuesday afternoon.
2. MAINE
(Farmington), Morning Sentinel, July 31, 2013
Elderly Farmington man with dementia found
http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/Elderly-Farmington-man-with-dementia-found-after-wandering-from-home-.html
An elderly man who wandered away from his Maple Street residence early
Wednesday morning was found by police with a canine unit several hours after he
was reported missing. Police said that Clyde Meader, 73, left his home sometime
between 2 a.m. and 5 a.m. Wednesday and wandered to the town fairgrounds.
3.
MINNESOTA (St. Paul), Duluth News Wire, July 30, 2013
New Minnesota law lets workers care for more sick relatives
http://www.duluthnewstribune.com/event/article/id/273797/group/Business/
A new state law that takes effect Thursday will add adult children, spouses,
parents, grandparents and stepparents to the family members an employee can
take paid sick days to care for. This law applies to workers at companies that
have at least 21 employees.
4.
WASHINGTON (Everett), Herald Net, August 1, 2013
State unprepared to deal with ‘wandering’ dementia patients
http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20130801/NEWS03/708019994
In the first decade of this century, the number of elderly Washington residents
living with Alzheimer's disease increased by a third. That number is expected
to balloon by a third again by 2025. Crucially, 6 in every 10 of those
diagnosed with Alzheimer's, and many with other forms of dementia, will wander
or get lost, placing themselves and sometimes others at risk, according to the
Alzheimer's Association. Washington is one of just six states that haven't
started work on a statewide Alzheimer's plan, even as the population at risk of
wandering surges.
5.
WASHINGTON (Olympia), KOMO News, July 31, 2013
Audit: Washington caregivers failed criminal background checks
http://www.komonews.com/news/local/Audit-Washington-caregivers-failed-criminal-background-checks-217861041.html
Nearly two dozen people who failed criminal background checks were allowed to
work with developmentally disabled clients in Washington state, according to a
state audit released Wednesday. In conflict with state policy, some businesses
hired the 23 caregivers even though they had past legal problems involving
assault, theft, drug charges, abuse and financial exploitation, according to
the audit. Officials said it wasn't clear whether the caregivers had
unsupervised access to the clients -something that would violate state law -
but assumed it happened in some cases within the supported living program.
6. WISCONSIN
(Milwaukee), Fox 6 Now, July 29, 2013
Police locate man who was missing, suffers from dementia
http://fox6now.com/2013/07/29/milwaukee-police-need-your-help-to-find-missing-man/
Milwaukee police say they have located a man who was reported missing and
suffers from mild dementia. 59-year-old Russell Paulson was last seen shortly
after 4 a.m. on Monday, July 29th at Highland Heights Home on Highland Blvd. He
is a resident of the home.
7.
INTERNATIONAL (London, United Kingdom), The Independent, July 30, 2013
Campaigners vow to fight on after challenge to ‘bedroom tax’ is thrown out by
High Court
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/home-news/campaigners-vow-to-fight-on-after-challenge-to-bedroom-tax-is-thrown-out-by-high-court-8737725.html
Disabled adult rights activists have met a hurdle in fighting new size criteria
policies that cause tenants in social housing who are deemed to have extra
space to lose a portion of their housing benefit entitlement. These activists
claim that disabled adults need the extra space and should be exempted from the
new policies.
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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 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 3rd Annual Sexuality, Intimacy & Aging Conference will be called “Helping to Navigate Challenges in Sexuality & Aging” and will be hosted at Widener University in Chester, Pennsylvania September 27-28, 2013. For more information http://saconsortium.eventbrite.com/
· The 33rd Annual Mental Health & Aging Conference, “Innovative Perspectives on Mental Health & Aging,” will be held on October 8, 2013 at The Double Tree in Sacramento, California. For more information visit www.sacmhac.net.
· 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 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 37th Annual Consume Voice Conference will be held in Arlington, Virginia October 24-27, 2013. For additional information: http://www.theconsumervoice.org/events/annual-meetings
· 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, hosted by the California District Attorneys Association, 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 28-30, 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