How to Detect Nursing Home Abuse

How to detect nursing home abuse

07/17/2009

By Dan Churney

The Illinois Department of Public Health recently released a report that said a male resident molested 10 female residents at the county home during a six-month period this year and staff did not do enough to protect the victims. The male resident has been removed from the home.

Chicago attorney Rosenfeld said he was familiar with the report on the La Salle County home, as his office reviews such reports.

Rosenfeld specializes in lawsuits involving nursing home abuse and he keeps tabs on related issues with his Web site: NursingHomesAbuseBlog.com. He offers advice on a variety of categories that would be relevant to families with loved ones in nursing homes or long-term care facilities, including how to select a nursing home. His advice also includes links to other resources and references.

Below are some questions and answers he feels relevant. In a recent interview with The Times, he answered the following questions. Also are included are questions he feels relevant to nursing home care.

Q: In a nursing home abuse situation, who is usually the abuser?

A: Most involve residents victimizing residents, rather than staff victimizing residents. Some cases also involve visitors victimizing residents.

Q: What challenge do investigators face in gathering evidence?

A: The victim is usually disabled or suffering from Alzheimer's disease and thus unable to help investigators. In the case of the La Salle County Nursing Home, the Illinois Department of Public Health was fortunate enough victims were able to respond to questioning. The state usually does a good job of investigating. Abuse happens more than people realize.

Q: What is the typical reason abuse goes unchecked?

A: Short staffing. The facility may meet guidelines for proper number of staff, but it may not be what's really enough. It's dollars and cents. If they hire one or two more, they go over budget.

(Please go to SOURCE for full-text)

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SOURCE: MyWebTimes.com - Ottawa,IL,USA

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Former Attorney Sentenced for Embezzling from Elderly Man (USA)

Former Jackson County attorney will serve at least six years in prison for embezzlement

by Danielle Quisenberry | Jackson Citizen Patriot

July 17, 2009

Former Jackson County lawyer Richard McQuillan said he considers it a "lifelong obligation" to pay back the heirs of an estate he said he plundered to help people in the Dominican Republic.

"It is my sincere desire to get out, to work and earn this," said McQuillan, 55, who earlier pleaded guilty to three counts of embezzling more than $20,000 from the estate of Robert Howard, who died in December 2006 at age 84.

First, McQuillan is to serve at least six years in prison.

Jackson County Circuit Judge John McBain went well beyond state sentencing guidelines, which called for 10 to 23 months in prison or jail, and sentenced McQuillan on Thursday to six to 10 years in prison.

McBain said the guidelines did not adequately reflect the amount of money stolen — more than $800,000 — and McQuillan's abuse of his position of trust.

"Action of an attorney like you, it damages the reputation of every attorney in the country," McBain said.

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SOURCE: MLive.Com

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Police Probe Nursing Home After Resident's Death (NH. USA)

By NANCY FOSTER

New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondent

July 18, 2009

Police are investigating concerns about possible elder abuse at a local nursing home involving an 87-year-old man who died last Friday.

According to police Chief Frederick Douglas, detectives were called to the Southern New Hampshire Medical Center on June 28 to investigate concerns raised by staff at the hospital about the condition of the man's wounds. Investigators will try to determine whether neglect contributed to the death, Douglas said.

The man, whom Douglas refused to identify for reasons of privacy, was a resident at The Elms, a nursing home on Elm Street run by SunBridge Healthcare Corp., based in Rochester, N.Y.

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SOURCE: The Union Leader - Manchester,NH,USA

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Worsening Economy Increases Risk Factors for Elder Abuse (NJ. USA)

By Lois Goldrich • Local

17 July 2009

As nationwide media reports highlight the symbiotic relationship between elder abuse and the economic recession, area experts say that while they have not seen an uptick in elder abuse cases in the Jewish community here, the number may well be expected to rise.

Joy Solomon, director and managing attorney of The Harry & Jeanette Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse Prevention at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale, sees a correlation between elder abuse and the fact that “people have fewer economic choices.”

Not only are more family members living under one roof, Solomon told The Jewish Standard, but worsening circumstances may lead to alcoholism and substance abuse — “all risk factors for abuse.”

Together with the Bergen County Freeholders Division of Senior Services, Bergen County Community Development, and the Bergen County City Police Chief Association, SAAFE will sponsor a conference on elder abuse, to be held Oct. 30 at Bergen Community College.

For further information on the October conference, call SAAFE at (551) 795-0471

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SOURCE: New Jersey Jewish Standard - Teaneck,NJ,USA

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Help Prevent Elder Abuse (IL. USA)

By Charles D. Johnson

Director, Illinois Department on Aging

July is Elder Abuse Awareness Month in Illinois. During the month of July, communities across Illinois will sponsor events to shed light on the growing and tragic issue of elder abuse.

Your readers, young and old, should be aware that the U.S. Administration on Aging estimates as many as 3.5 million older Americans are abused each year.

And this is only the tip of the iceberg since only one in five cases of elder abuse is ever reported to authorities.

In an effort of preventing elder abuse and neglect, the Illinois Department on Aging is launching its annual public awareness and education campaign, called “Break the Silence.”

Please support these efforts by printing this letter which includes steps we should all take to prevent elder abuse and neglect.

To fight elder abuse:

1. Regularly call or visit an elderly loved one to ask how he or she is doing.

2. Provide a respite break for a caregiver.

3. Ask your bank manager to train tellers on how to detect elder financial abuse.

4. Ask your doctor to ask all senior patients about possible family violence in their lives.

5. Ask your local senior center to present a program on elder abuse.

6. Organize a “Respect Your Elders” essay or poster contest in your child’s school.

7. Ask your religious congregation’s leader to give a talk about elder abuse at a service or to put a message about elder abuse in the bulletin.

8. Volunteer to be a friendly visitor to a nursing home resident or to a homebound senior in your neighborhood.

9. Learn the warning signs of abuse – for more information, visit the Illinois Department on Aging website at: http://www.state.il.us/aging/ or contact your local Elder Abuse Provider Agency to ask about elder abuse.

10. Call the state’s 24 hour Elder Abuse Hotline at (866) 800-1409, if you or someone you know is a victim of elder abuse. Trained professionals are prepared to help.

Thank you for helping to keep our seniors safe.

SOURCE: Morris Daily Herald - Morris,IL,USA

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How to Protect Yourself Against Elder Abuse (USA)

By Eve Glicksman

Staff Writer, myOptumHealth

Older adults may face a higher risk of getting treated improperly. They may be frail and unable to stand up for themselves. Some don't think as clearly as they used to. Or they may depend on others to manage their bills.

All these things can open the door for people to take advantage of seniors. This could include physical abuse, emotional mistreatment, neglect or financial scams. Sometimes it is the result of a caregiver facing extra stress, but this is still not a reason to abuse you.

If you are a senior, don't let yourself be a target. Protect yourself from being abused in these ways:

1. Don't let yourself become isolated.

2. Know the warning signs of abuse.

3. See a doctor regularly.

4. Beware of troubled relatives or friends.

5. Get your financial and legal affairs in order, and in writing.

6. Protect your assets.

7. Choose an outside caregiver carefully.

(Please go to SOURCE for full-text and more information)

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SOURCE: KOAM-TV - Pittsburg,KS,USA

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As Economy Worsens, Swindling of Elders Increases (WA. USA)

As economy worsens, swindling of elders increases

By Michelle Singletary

July 16, 2009

Fraud is bad enough, but when you have family members or caregivers who are financially abusing their elderly relatives or patients, that’s downright despicable.

And yet, in most of the cases of elder financial abuse, the perpetrators are not strangers. Family, friends, neighbors and caregivers are the culprits in 55 percent of the cases, according to a report, “Broken

Trust: Elders, Family, and Finances, “ released by the MetLife Mature Market Institute. The report was produced in conjunction with the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and Virginia Tech University.

Law enforcement and securities officials say the recession is pushing more people to steal from well-off seniors.

For more information, go to www.nasaa.org and search for “Senior Investor Resource Center.’’

To report elder abuse you can contact an Adult Protective Services office atwww.apsnetwork.org.

“This type of crime just sets me off,’’ Joseph said. “You get victims who are in their 70s and 80s being taken for their life savings. What do they do? They can’t earn it back.’’

If you suspect a senior is being exploited, report it - even if the suspected scoundrel is a family member.

(Please go to SOURCE for full-text; and more prevention tips)

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SOURCE: HeraldNet - Everett,WA,USA

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Man Faces Elder Abuse Charges (ON. CANADA)

First mother, then sister found malnourished

Jul 16, 2009

By JESSE MCLEAN
STAFF REPORTER

Many of Andrew Jones's neighbours thought he lived alone in Lawrence Heights – until Tuesday, when paramedics used a blanket to carry his emaciated sister out of his townhouse.

The 60-year-old woman hadn't eaten in days, police said, and she had been living in a room infested with cockroaches. Almost three months ago, Jones's malnourished 95-year-old mother was removed from the same room.

"The conditions they were living in were absolutely repulsive," said Det. Const. Kathy Washington. "It was probably the most horrifying thing I've gone through in my career."

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SOURCE: Toronto Star - Ontario, Canada

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Daughter is Charged in Suspected 'Elder Abuse' (MN. USA)

She allegedly used her mom's money for vacations, jewelry, car loan.

By PAT PHEIFER, Star Tribune

July 15, 2009

In a case that Ramsey County Attorney Susan Gaertner called "a heartbreaking example of elder abuse," a 42-year-old North St. Paul woman has been charged with stealing more than $220,000 from her mother over a two-year period.

Marsha A. Truskolaski is accused of abusing her power of attorney over her 75-year-old mother's money to pay for vacations, private school tuition for her children and expensive home improvements including an in-ground swimming pool. She was charged Wednesday in Ramsey County District Court with one count of theft by swindle.

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SOURCE: Minneapolis Star Tribune - Minneapolis,MN,USA

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Break the Silence Campaign Addresses Hidden Problem of Elder Abuse (IL. USA)

Break the silence campaign addresses hidden problem of elder abuse

July 15, 2009

Press release submitted by Lori L. Weber, Media Link, Inc.

Break the Silence Campaign Addresses Hidden Problem of Elder Abuse

Elder abuse, the mistreatment of an older person, takes many forms. Abuse can come in the form of physical and emotional abuse, financial exploitation or neglect. But whatever the form, elder abuse hurts - physically, emotionally and socially. The suffering that results can"t be erased, but continued suffering can be reduced with heightened awareness.

That"s why the Illinois Department on Aging designates the month of July to "Break the Silence" about elder abuse. Alternatives for the Older Adult and Protective Service providers across the state of Illinois join this effort to bring attention to the issue and the resources available for help.

Elder abuse is a complex problem surrounded by misconceptions. Elder abuse is under-reported because victims are typically dependent upon the abuser and afraid of retaliation. Most incidents of elder abuse occur in the home. Four in five abusers are family members. Most are substance abusers. Some snap under the stress of caregiving, unaware that help is available.

Effective interventions can prevent or stop elder abuse. By increasing awareness among the general public, physicians, mental health professionals, home health workers, and others who provide services to older adults and family members, patterns of abuse and neglect can be broken and both the abused person and the abuser can receive needed help.

Anyone suspecting abuse should make a report, so that help can be offered. Reporters are kept confidential. The Illinois Department on Aging"s Senior Help Line is 1-800-252-8966 from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. The 24-Hour Hotline is 1-866-800-1409.

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SOURCE: Quad-Cities Online - Rock Island,IL,USA

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Some Symptoms of Nursing Home Neglect

July 14, 2009

by Nick Johnson

For many people, the thought of nursing home neglect is upsetting at the least. For those individuals who have elderly relatives in a home or other elderly care facility, the idea of it is unfathomable.

All too often, however, elder abuse and nursing home neglect take place in this country and in others. For those who do not know how to spot this kind of problem, there are signs and symptoms of neglect to look for. Often, elderly individuals who are victims of neglect or elder abuse do not show the kinds of symptoms that one would always expect, and some of them are also not capable of articulating their problems well enough for their friends and relatives to understand what is really happening to them.

Nursing home neglect and elder abuse have symptoms that are sometimes physical, such as cuts, bruises, and other problems. In addition, however, mental and emotional abuse and neglect can leave marks that are not so easily seen. These can linger and become more problematic as they pray on the mind of the elderly individual.

(Please go to SOURCE for full-text.)

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SOURCE: The Critter Zone

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Phony Landscaper Captured; Faces Fiduciary Elder Abuse (CA. USA)

Jul 14, 2009

Source: County

Suspect took over $50k for work that was never done

Santa Barbara County Detectives have arrested a man suspected of ripping off more than a dozen people who hired him to do landscaping work.

Gilbert Lee Martinez (DOB 3/22/69) is suspected of contacting potential tree trimming clients, quoting a price, taking money up front and then leaving without ever performing any work. Over the past few months the SBSO received several complaints from victims, many who are elderly, who have paid as much as $2,000 for work that was never done.

On Thursday, July 9, 2009 authorities in Arcadia, CA detained Martinez for trying to cash a forged check. They discovered a warrant for Martinez in Santa Barbara County. SBSO Detectives immediately traveled to Arcadia where they took Martinez into custody and brought him to the Santa Barbara County Jail.

SBSO Detectives have linked Martinez to at least fourteen cases in Santa Barbara County alone. He's believed to have stolen at least $50,000. No money was recovered during his arrest.

He faces charges of Fraud, Grand Theft, and Fiduciary Elder Abuse. He's currently in the Santa Barbara County Jail on $50,000 bail. However, he will remain in jail on a no bail warrant in San Luis Obispo County. His arraignment is scheduled for Friday, July 17, 2009 in North Santa Barbara County.

If you or someone you know was a victim of Martinez and have not reported it, you are encouraged to contact SBSO Detective Charles Cooley at 805-934-6176.

SOURCE: Edhat Santa Barbara

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