NCEA Newsfeed 9/13/13

Newsfeed – Friday, September 13, 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

CALIFORNIA (San Diego), U~T San Diego, September 11, 2013 Lawmakers pledge assisted-living fixes

http://www.utsandiego.com/news/2013/sep/11/lawmaker-reaction-assisted-living-series/ California lawmakers pledged to increase penalties and boost inspections in response to “Deadly Neglect,” a three-day series published this week by U-T San Diego that showed serious deficiencies in the state’s assisted-living homes. Legislators were appalled at findings of the U-T’s joint investigation with the CHCF Center for Health Reporting, which among other things disclosed that caregivers who abuse or neglect residents are rarely prosecuted and the maximum fine for injury or death at a facility is $150.

FLORIDA (Tallahassee), WCTV, September 10, 2013 Suwannee woman arrested for elderly exploitation

http://www.wctv.tv/news/headlines/Suwannee-Woman-Arrested-For-Exploitation-Of-Elderly-Person-223186911.html?ref=911 Attorney General Pam Bondi today announced that a Suwannee County woman is in custody after being charged with one count of exploitation of an elderly person. According to an investigation, the 31-year-old woman stole money from a man over whom she had the power of attorney. This alleged theft resulted in the elderly adult becoming indebted to the health care facility that is providing him with full-time care, and it deprived him of his personal needs allowance of nearly $20,000.

GEORGIA (Jefferson), Access North Ga., September 13, 2013 Authorities shut down facility, seize computers and documents

http://www.accessnorthga.com/detail.php?n=265550 Jackson County and state authorities shut down a health care facility in Jefferson Thursday, conducting a search warrant during an ongoing investigation. Sheriff Janis Mangum said the facility is owned by a man and his wife. They were under investigation, but had not been arrested.

GEORGIA (Marietta), Marietta Daily Journal, September 13, 2013 http://www.mdjonline.com/view/full_story/23598567/article-Woman-faces-more-charges-of-elder-abuse

The woman accused of running an unlicensed adult care home in Marietta is now facing additional charges of elder abuse, neglect and obstruction of an investigation. On Wednesday, further investigation into the case by Marietta Police led officers to another unlicensed personal-care home in Atlanta, where Marietta and Atlanta officers found the remaining two of six victims who were last living in the accused woman’s home, according to a release from Officer David Auld with Marietta Police. “Those victims had been neglected medically and were taken to (Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta) for care and treatment,” the release states.

GEORGIA (Meriwether County), WRBL News 3, September 10, 2013 Meriwether County nursing home under investigation for physical abuse

http://www.wrbl.com/story/23396669/meriwether-county-nursing-home-being-investigated-for-physical-abuse The Meriwether County Sheriff's Department is investigating a nursing home after a staff member allegedly physically abused a patient. An 86-year old woman is in the hospital with bruises and a broken bone after an alleged incident at Unihealth Post-Acute Care in Greenville, Georgia.

IOWA, Muscatine Journal, September 11, 2013 (Opinion) Move forward with law against elder abuse

http://muscatinejournal.com/news/opinion/editorial/move-forward-with-law-against-elder-abuse/article_636d756d-e6f1-557a-827f-e820c59d2cd5.html?comment_form=true The author states that Iowa doesn't have a comprehensive law that specifically addresses the unique needs of all older adults who are victims of abuse, neglect and exploitation. Thus, the current system, unfortunately, does not address the needs of older victims of abuse or exploitation who are not considered "dependent" and who do not have a specific "caretaker." Nor does the current law address the needs of seniors and elderly persons who are the victims of constant verbal or psychological abuse or abandonment.

MICHIGAN (Genesee County), M LIVE, September 10, 2013 Five unlicensed adult foster care homes in Genesee County shut down; 17 vulnerable adults removed

http://www.mlive.com/news/flint/index.ssf/2013/09/five_unlicensed_adult_foster_c.html Seventeen vulnerable adults were removed from five unlicensed adult foster care homes earlier this month, according to Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell. Pickell said the department raided a Burton home and found a woman who had been lying on the bathroom floor for at least 24 hours. Investigators later learned of four other homes that the woman owned where vulnerable adults were staying, Pickell said.

MINNESOTA (Anoka County), ABC Newspapers, September 13, 2013 Compassion action network puts spotlight on elder abuse

http://abcnewspapers.com/2013/09/13/compassion-action-network-puts-spotlight-elder-abuse/ Elder abuse is a growing problem, one that the Anoka County Attorney’s Office is battling through the SAFE Elder Initiative – Stop Abuse and Financial Exploitation, a statewide push launched in Anoka County in 2012. Currently, each county in Minnesota has its own adult protective services line, but soon, the state will have one line, thanks to the work of the SAFE Elder Initiative.

NORTH DAKOTA (Grand Forks County), WDAZ Television 8, September 10, 2013 Trial opens in second lawsuit against Grand Forks County alleging misuse of elder’s assets

http://www.wdaz.com/event/article/id/19575/ A second jury trial seeking damages from Grand Forks County over alleged misdeeds by the county’s former public administrator is set to begin today, 11 days after a similar lawsuit ended with no financial damages assigned to the county. In the latest lawsuit, Faith Krueger, through her attorney, Tim Lamb, says she had more than $300,000 in cash and property when Barb Zavala, the county’s public administrator, took over her affairs in 2011. Her assets weren’t accounted for by Zavala, Krueger says in her suit seeking damages from the county because it was Zavala’s employer at the time.

OREGON (Sutherlin), KPIC, September 11, 2013 Sheriff: Caregiver stole over $17K from elderly woman

http://www.kpic.com/news/local/Sheriff-Caregiver-stole-over-17K-from-elderly-woman-223318121.html A woman is behind bars, after authorities say she bilked an elderly woman for more than $17,000. The Sheriff's office says they received a tip from a family friend of the 98-year-old woman that her caregiver may have been taking advantage of her, and an investigation by deputies revealed the caregiver had forged and cashed checks worth a total of $17,600.

PENNSYLVANIA (Bethlehem), The Morning Call, September 12, 2013 Police: Man charged with assaulting 78-year-old woman

http://www.mcall.com/news/breaking/mc-c-bethlehem-assault-woman-20130912,0,6627305.story Bethlehem police have charged a man with assaulting a 78-year-old woman, saying he threw her to the floor, pinned her to the ground and choked her, according to court records. According to court records, around 12:15 a.m. Aug. 30, police were called to the victim's home on a report of a woman who had been pushed to the floor by her daughter's boyfriend.

PENNSYLVANIA (Harrisburg), The Sentinel Cumberlink, September 10, 2013 Elder abuse task force issues warning

http://cumberlink.com/news/local/capital_region/elder-abuse-task-force-issues-warning/article_f8cb4912-1a6d-11e3-9091-001a4bcf887a.html Authorities arrested two people for scamming seniors out of thousands of dollars and are warning others to be on the lookout. Officials in Dauphin County said a car salesman submitted loans for more than the car was worth and pocketed the money. Authorities said he got away with more than $30,000.

WEST VIRGINIA (Parkersburg), Metro News, September 10, 2013 Son accused of neglecting mother

http://wvmetronews.com/2013/09/10/son-accused-of-neglecting-mother/ 57-year-old man of Parkersburg, was arrested Monday for allegedly failing to provide proper care for his 88-year-old mother. Parkersburg Police said the mother was malnourished when she was found lying in a bed covered in urine and feces last month. She was living with Mr. Nicolson on Spring Street in Parkersburg at the time.

WEST VIRGINIA (Parkersburg), Charleston Daily Mail, September 11, 2013 Police say Parkersburg man neglected his elderly mother

http://www.dailymail.com/policebrfs/201309100157 An 88-year-old mother had been living in her 58-year-old son's home in August 2013, but Detective D.A. Moody wrote in a complaint filed in Wood Magistrate Court that Nicolson failed to provide care for the woman, according to a statement issued by Parkersburg police. The son was charged with neglect of an incapacitated adult, a misdemeanor, and was released on a $1,000 personal recognizance bond.

INTERNATIONAL (Peterborough, Canada), My Kawartha, September 10, 2013 MP says expanding role of Ontario Ombudsmen in wake of alleged elder abuse is an option

http://www.mykawartha.com/news-story/4072612-mp-calls-for-exanding-role-of-ontario-ombudsmen-in-wake-of-alleged-elder-abuse/ Peterborough MP Dean Del Mastro says the Province may want to consider expanding the role of the Ontario Ombudsman in the wake of abuse issues at a local long-term care facility. Mr. Parent organized the meeting, alongside Norland resident and seniors advocate Karl Braeker, after local police announced last week they wouldn’t press charges stemming from the treatment of his mother at the St. Joseph’s at Fleming nursing home.

INTERNATIONAL (India), DNA, September 11, 2013 (Opinion) No respite from elderly abuse in India! http://www.dnaindia.com/india/1887259/report-no-respite-from-elderly-abuse-in-india

According to a survey report by HelpAge India ‘Elder Abuse in India 2013’, in 39% of the cases, the daughter-in-laws were the main perpetrators of the crime while sons were found to be involved in 38% of the cases. According to the HelpAge India report, the most common form of abuse nationally experienced by elderly was disrespect (79%) followed by verbal abuse (76%) and neglect (69%), and a disturbing (39%) elderly faced beating or slapping.

INTERNATIONAL (Israel), Israel National News, September 12, 2013 Filipino care worker suspect in elder abuse

http://www.israelnationalnews.com/News/Flash.aspx/276221#.UjN5kdKmPJY A 47 female elder care worker has been arrested on suspicion of the elder abuse of a 70-year-old woman who was in her care. The woman was arrested after the older woman’s son noted certain marks on his mother’s hands

ABUSE OF ADULTS WITH DISABILITIES

KENTUCKY (Louisville), WDRB, September 12, 2013 Carrollton, Ky. Couple kept disabled daughter locked in bathroom

http://www.wdrb.com/story/23413104/carollton-ky-couple-accused-of-neglecting-disabled-daughter A Carrollton, Ky. couple faces charges of neglecting the husband's disabled daughter, including depriving her of food. Police say the 23-year-old woman, who has Down Syndrome, was locked up for weeks at a time. The victim moved into the home in 2009 with her younger brother and sister, but before that the siblings lived with their mother. It is unknown why they were removed from the mother's home. Neighbors say two other children also live in the home.

KENTUCKY (Carroll County), Kentucky, September 12, 2013 Couple charged with neglecting disabled adult daughter

http://www.kentucky.com/2013/09/12/2818896/couple-charged-with-neglecting.html Kentucky State Police have arrested a Carroll County couple on charges of neglecting their disabled adult daughter for four years, including depriving her of food. Troopers said the daughter weighed about 189 pounds when she came to live with her biological father and step-mother in April 2009. She weighed only 86 pounds when she was removed from the residence after investigators went to their home on Aug. 20 and uncovered the situation, police said.

INTERNATIONAL (New Zealand), NZ Doctor, September 12, 2013 The Un-doctored

http://www.nzdoctor.co.nz/un-doctored/2013/september-2013/12/disturbing-health-statistics-on-intellectual-disabilities.aspx Commission calls for explanation of progress on disturbing health statistics for New Zealanders with learning/intellectual disabilities. The Committee reported a disturbing level of systemic neglect of the development potential of this group of people and their families. They said there was inadequate and improper health care provision and that people in authority had a disturbing low level of understanding of the impact of their actions and decisions on the lives of adults with an intellectual disability.

RELATED ISSUES

MINNESOTA (Minneapolis), KARE 11, September 11, 2013 Police search for missing vulnerable adult

http://www.kare11.com/news/article/1038755/391/Police-search-for-missing-vulnerable-adult Police in Minneapolis are hoping the public can help locate a missing woman who is described as physically vulnerable, last seen Wednesday, September 4th. Paige is described as vulnerable because she suffers from a medical condition that authorities won't disclose, but they say she is in need of further treatment. Due to her medical conditions Paige can be confrontational.

MISSOURI, EMissourian, September 11, 2013

MA4 warns that house bill 253 will hurt seniors http://www.emissourian.com/article_833e6bfa-47c4-59c5-b571-198fdf0d1fad.html

The Missouri Association of Area Agencies on Aging (MA4) expressed concern over HB 253 — a bill that would cut some corporate and income taxes, but would increase sales taxes and create a funding gap for many programs that benefit seniors in Missouri. In June, Gov. Nixon vetoed that bill citing negative impacts on education and senior services, and proposed withholding a percentage of funds appropriated by the Legislature to make up for differences between the Legislature’s budget and his constitutional requirement to balance the state budget.

TEXAS, KHOU Houston, Texas, September 11, 2013 (Opinion) Texas senior citizen’s home ownership threatened by reverse-mortgage loan

http://www.khou.com/news/texas-news/Texas-senior-citizens-home-ownership-threatened-by-reverse-mortgage-loan-223308361.html There are rules consumers and lenders are required to follow: including credit counseling for borrowers before they sign up for a reverse-mortgage, but an unknowing 68-year-old woman said her financial credit counseling consisted of a five-minute phone call, with paperwork mailed later. She said that the counselor never discussed the impact her property tax deferrals would have on the loan, and ultimate ownership of her home.

TEXAS (San Antonio), My San Antonio, September 11, 2013 Silver Alert: elderly man with dementia missing

http://www.mysanantonio.com/news/local/article/Silver-Alert-Elderly-man-with-dementia-missing-4806831.php A Silver Alert has been issued for a San Antonio man with dementia who was last seen Wednesday morning. He was wearing a blue denim, collared, button-up shirt and blue jeans. He had his small brown Pomeranian dog with him, the news release said.

INTERNATIONAL (Ireland), Irish Health, September 13, 2013 New disability regulations to begin soon

http://www.irishhealth.com/article.html?id=22589 The regulation of residential services for children and adults with a disability is to begin ‘in the coming weeks', the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) has confirmed. This will mark the first time that residential services for people with disabilities will be subject to independent scrutiny by a regulator in Ireland.

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Funding Opportunities:

September 30, 2013
- The Pennsylvania Humanities Council is requesting proposals for its Civic Engagement Grants for projects that use the humanities to help resolve complex community challenges and concerns.
- For more information: http://www.pahumanities.org/programs/pdf/Civic_Engagement_RFP_Final_8-5-13.pdf

October 1, 2013
- The Land O’Lakes Foundation is currently accepting applications for its 2013 Community Grants program for projects that focus on hunger, youth and education, civic improvements and arts and culture in rural communities. Grants are restricted to organizations that have been granted tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.
- For more information: http://www.landolakesinc.com/company/corporateresponsibility/foundation/communitygrants/eligibility/default.Aspx

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 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: 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. For more information: http://brookdale.org/aati-2013/aati-2013/ To register for the 2013 Adult Abuse Training Institute: Go to brookdale.org, click on the NYS Adult Abuse Training Institute link and download the registration form. Please fax the completed form to (212) 396-7852; or email the completed form to afaustin@hunter.cuny.edu.

· 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 21^st Annual New Mexico Adult Abuse Conference will be held on October 24 and 25, 2013 in Albuquerque, NM . This year’s theme is “A Cornucopia of Learning, Knowledge and Services”. For information, contact Agapito J. Silva at Agapito.silva@state.nm.us or 505-841-4550.

· 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

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