NCEA | Newsfeed Collection

NCEA Newsfeed – Monday, August 05, 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.

 ***************************************************************************************

ELDER ABUSE NEWSFEED

1.         NATIONAL, Medical Daily, August 2, 2013
Financial Exploitation: With Fraud On The Rise, How Do We Protect The Elderly?
http://www.medicaldaily.com/articles/18031/20130802/financial-exploitation-elderly-abuse-fraud-financial-protection.htm
According to Consumer Reports, "the FBI says fraud involving investments, mortgages, and the Internet is growing." Perhaps struggling with the earliest symptoms of dementia and not having grown up with computers, the elderly are the most vulnerable to those duplicitous enough to scam or hack their way into someone's life or financial accounts. This article examines possible methods that can be used to protect the elderly.

2.         NATIONAL, PBS.org, August 4, 2013
Life and Death in Assisted Living
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/social-issues/life-and-death-in-assisted-living/life-and-death-in-assisted-living-close-the-back-door/
As more and more elderly Americans choose to spend their later years in assisted living facilities, Frontline and ProPublica examine whether this loosely regulated, multi-billion dollar industry is putting seniors at risk.

3.         NATIONAL, Salon, August 4, 2013
When death is better than a nursing home
http://www.salon.com/2013/08/04/nursing_homes_where_death_is_the_easiest_way_out_partner/
Journalists research the lapses in care that have taken place under the watch of the nation’s largest assisted living company.

4.         CALIFORNIA (Alameda County), Berkeley Daily Planet, August 1, 2013
Berkeley Judge Gets 5 Years Probation in $1.6 Million Elder Theft Case
http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/issue/2013-08-02/article/41283?headline=Berkeley-Judge-Gets-5-Years-Probation-in-1.6-Million-Elder-Theft-Case---By-Jeff-Shuttleworth-BCN-
A former Alameda County Superior Court judge who faced 32 felony counts for allegedly stealing at least $1.6 million from his elderly neighbor in the Berkeley Hills pleaded no contest today to two felonies and will only face five years' probation.

5.         CALIFORNIA (Alameda County), San Francisco Gate, August 1, 2013
Ex-judge avoids jail for fleecing woman
http://www.sfgate.com/crime/article/Ex-judge-avoids-jail-for-fleecing-woman-4701535.php
A former Alameda County Superior Court judge charged with swindling a 97-year-old neighbor out of her life savings pleaded no contest Thursday to elder abuse and perjury and will not face jail time. Paul Seeman, who was originally charged with dozens of felony counts, is expected to be sentenced to five years of probation Oct. 22 as part of a plea deal with prosecutors. He will be ordered not to live with or act as a caregiver for an elder or dependent adult other than family members or act as a fiduciary for anyone, authorities said.

6.         CALIFORNIA (Alameda County), Ventura County Star, August 1, 2013
Ex CA judge enters plea deal in elder abuse case
http://www.vcstar.com/news/2013/aug/01/ex-ca-judge-enters-plea-deal-in-elder-abuse-case/
A former Alameda County Superior Court judge charged with 32 felonies for stealing more than $1 million from his 97-year-old neighbor has agreed to a plea deal. The Oakland Tribune reports 58-year-old Paul Seeman pleaded no contest Thursday to elder abuse and perjury for stealing the late Anne Nutting's life savings.

7.         CALIFORNIA (Dixon), CBS Local Sacramento, August 3, 2013
Police: Elderly Woman With Dementia Arrested, Stabbed Fellow Patient
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2013/08/03/police-elderly-woman-with-dementia-arrested-after-stabbing-fellow-patient-at-care-facility/
A 77-year-old woman who was being treated for dementia is now being treated like a criminal. The woman was arrested and charged with assault with a deadly weapon. The victim was an 83-year-old fellow patient who was stabbed in the face and head with a pointed hand comb.

8.         MISSISSIPPI (Vicksburg), The Commercial Appeal, August 4, 2013
Restitution center for Mississippi nursing home administrator
http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2013/aug/04/restitution-center-mississippi-nursing-home-admini/?CID=happeningnow
A former nursing home administrator who pleaded guilty to taking $100,000 from patients will spend up to 15 years at a state restitution center — working outside the center to repay the patients.

9.         PENNSYLVANIA (Harrisburg), WITF, August 4, 2013
As PA ages, the state examines guardianships and abuse
http://www.witf.org/news/2013/08/as-pa-ages-the-state-examines-guardianships-and-abuse.php
Pennsylvania is fourth in the country in terms of its elderly population, and as the state’s more than 3.3 million Baby Boomers join the elder ranks, state courts and welfare systems will be put to the test. Examining guardianship is a priority in the state, with both the Pennsylvania Department of Aging and the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania conducting studies. While guardianships are needed for those who can no longer care for themselves, they also require individuals to surrender all their rights -- in some cases to a total stranger.

10.       PENNSYLVANIA (Montgomery County), WNPV, August 6, 2013
Elder Abuse is Often Concealed and Hidden
http://www.wnpv1440.com/news/local-a-regional/6038-elder-abuse-is-often-concealed-and-hidden
The Montgomery County District Attorney’s Office continues its efforts in protecting the elderly. Bradford Richman, an Assistant D-A and Captain of the Elder Abuse Training and Outreach Unit says, elder abuse is often hidden and much of it never comes to the surface. Richman was a recent guest on the WNPV Program Regarding your money.

11.       RHODE ISLAND (North Kingstown), Rhode Island Central, August 2, 2013
NK woman arrested for $200,000 larceny of elderly father
http://www.ricentral.com/content/nk-woman-arrested-200000-larceny-elderly-father
A North Kingstown woman was arrested this past Friday as the subject of a Rhode Island State Police investigation into her exploitation of an elder. The suspect was apprehended after it was discovered she had stolen over $200,000 from her 88 year-old father, who is currently residing in an assisted living center.

12.       INTERNATIONAL (Waikato, New Zealand), Stuff.co.nz, August 4, 2013
‘Caregiver’ grooming elderly men
http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/9000128/Caregiver-grooming-elderly-men
A Waikato family is desperately trying to stop their multi-millionaire father giving more money to a self-styled "caregiver" with a history of grooming elderly men. A Sunday Star-Times investigation has found that the suspect - who has a long criminal history - has twice been left virtually everything in the wills of elderly men.

13.       INTERNATIONAL (Wellington, New Zealand), Wellington Scoop, August 5, 2013
Elder abuse prevention to be discussed at Age Concern forum
http://wellington.scoop.co.nz/?p=57978
Elder abuse and neglect prevention is the subject of a two day forum in Wellington this week. Organised by Age Concern New Zealand, the annual forum this year also marks 20 years of elder abuse and neglect prevention (EANP) services in New Zealand.

14.       INTERNATIONAL (York, United Kingdom), York Press, August 2, 2013
Christina Cooper struck off nursing register for abuse at York care home
http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/10588845.Callous_York_nurse_struck_off__for_abuse/
A nurse who branded dementia patients in a York care home “disgusting” for soiling their bedding and “robbed residents of their dignity” has been struck off. Christina Cooper physically and verbally abused three patients at the Viking Wing in Connaught Care Home in Fulford, the Nursing and Midwifery Council hearing in London was told.

ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

1.         DELAWARE (Rehoboth Beach), Delmarva Now, August 4, 2013
Police arrest Rehoboth brothers in connection to more than 50 charges
http://www.delmarvanow.com/article/20130805/DCP01/308050011/?nclick_check=1
Two brothers in Rehoboth are accused of burglary and identify theft, according to police. Delaware State Police arrested a suspect for 51 charges including 12 counts of identify theft, eight counts of forgery and three charges of crime against a vulnerable adult.

2.         FLORIDA (Sweetwater), Miami Herald, August 2, 2013
Mom charged with keeping autistic son in Sweetwater ‘dungeon’ says she tried to get him help
http://www.miamiherald.com/2013/08/02/3538774/police-autistic-man-held-in-dungeon.html
A Florida woman was arrested and charged with aggravated abuse, neglect of a mentally disabled adult, and false imprisonment after police found her adult son with autism locked in a squalid, sweltering room. The woman claimed that she had put her son on Florida’s Agency for Persons with Disabilities’ waiting list for 13 years.

3.         NORTH CAROLINA (Fayetteville), Army Times, August 1, 2013
Bragg soldier charged with exploiting disabled man
http://www.armytimes.com/article/20130801/NEWS06/308010017/Bragg-soldier-charged-exploiting-disabled-man
A 23-year-old Fort Bragg soldier is accused of befriending a mentally disabled man and spending nearly $4,300 of his money.

4.         NORTH CAROLINA (Fayetteville), The 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.home
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. The suspect was charged Wednesday with exploiting a disabled adult and neglecting a disabled adult.

5.         NORTH CAROLINA (Gastonia), KMOV, August 5, 2013
Mother facing charges after chaining daughter to hotel bed
http://www.kmov.com/news/crime/218362621.html
According to police, a mother left her mentally handicapped daughter chained to a hotel bed while she attended a wedding party. The mother is now in the Gaston County Jail under a $100,000 bond. She is facing a felony neglect charge.

6.         NORTH CAROLINA (Gastonia), New York Daily News, August 5, 2013
Mother chained mentally disabled daughter to hotel bed so she could party: cops
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/crime/mom-chained-daughter-party-cops-article-1.1417814?localLinksEnabled=false
A 37-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly chaining her mentally disabled adult daughter to a hotel bed so she could attend a family reunion. Her daughter managed to free herself and was found wandering the hotel.

 

RELATED ISSUES

1.         ARIZONA (Mesa), ABC 15, August 4, 2013
PD: Mesa man with dmentia is missing
http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_southeast_valley/mesa/pd-mesa-man-with-dementia-is-missing
A man with dementia and diabetes has gone missing in Mesa, authorities say. According to Mesa police, 76-year-old Robert Lee Moore was last heard from around 11:45 a.m. on Sunday. Police say the man has gotten lost before, and was last seen driving a black 2012 Suzuki Kizashi four-door with an Arizona license plate of 838YWM.

2.         CALIFORNIA (Sacramento), Sacramento Bee, August 2, 2013
Woman with dementia missing in Sacramento County
http://blogs.sacbee.com/crime/archives/2013/08/woman-with-dementia-missing-in-sacramento-county.html
The Sacramento Sheriff's Department needs help in finding a missing woman who is considered to be at-risk. Norene Borsey, 64, suffers from dementia and another serious medical condition, according to a sheriff's department press release. Borsey is described as white, 5 feet 1 inch tall, about 140 pounds, with short, curly blonde hair and blue eyes. When last seen, Borsey was wearing a long-sleeved turquoise shirt and tan pants.

3.         ILLINOIS (Park Forest), CBS Local Chicago, August 2, 2013
State Police Probe Death Of Elderly Man Shot By Cops
http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2013/08/02/state-police-probe-death-of-elderly-man-shot-by-cops/
Illinois State Police have launched an investigation into why police in Park Forest shot a 95-year-old man with a bean bag round, leading to the man’s death.

4.         MICHIGAN (Pontiac), CBS Local Detroit, August 2, 2013
Officials: Pontiac man Suffering From Dementia Found Safe
http://detroit.cbslocal.com/2013/08/02/police-ask-for-help-locating-pontiac-man-suffering-from-dementia/
Deputies were called to a home in Pontiac by a woman saying her live-in boyfriend, Willie Ray James, failed to return home Friday night after walking his dog. James, 64, suffers from dementia and has difficulty walking. He has since been found safe and is in good health.

5.         MICHIGAN (Ionia), WILX, August 5, 2013
Missing Dementia Patient Found
http://www.wilx.com/home/headlines/218377821.html
Michigan State Police in Ionia have located the missing Delta Township man, William Shideler. They also found the 1996 Ford Taurus Station Wagon he was driving. He was found by Michigan State Police troopers on I-96. Mr. Shideler is safe and unharmed

 

***************************************************************************************

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

 

***************************************************************************************

Upcoming Elder Abuse Conferences/Training Events (in chronological order):

 

·       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 18^th 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 3^rd 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 33^rd 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 24^th Annual NAPSA Conference to be held in Minneapolis, Minnesota October 2-3, 2013, followed by The 4^th Annual NAPSA Summit on Elder Financial Exploitation on October 4, 2013. For more information: http://www.napsa-now.org/get-connected/annual-conference/

·       The 20^th 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 37^th 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 30^th 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 2^nd 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 3^rd 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

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter!