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Any Charges Reported on this blog are Merely Accusations and the Defendants are Presumed Innocent Unless and Until Proven Guilty, through the courts.

May 31, 2009

Abuse Unit Prosecutes Crimes Involving Seniors (HI. USA)

Abuse unit prosecutes crimes involving seniors

By June Watanabe 

May 29, 2009

Question: I am so distressed about that poor 89-year-old man who was severely beaten by his son and subsequently died. The Medical Examiner's Office found that he died of "natural causes," but the beating had to have been related. Is there an advocacy group for elders who can make sure this son gets prosecuted to the full extent of the law?

Answer: The Elder Abuse Justice Unit was set up last year by Honolulu Prosecutor Peter Carlisle and is dedicated to prosecuting crimes involving victims 60 years and over.

Members of the unit have been specially trained in matters of elder abuse, both physical and financial, said Scott Spallina, deputy prosecutor in charge of the unit.

The team meets monthly with the Honolulu Police Department and the state Adult Protective Services, and works closely with trained victim advocates from a number of community agencies.

"Elder abuse is a very complex issue; it takes more than one agency to address it," Spallina said.

He also noted that the unit is "a vertical prosecution team," meaning one attorney will see a case through from beginning to end.

According to the Elder Abuse Justice Unit Web site, www.co.honolulu.hi.us/prosecuting/elder+abuse-main.htm, "Elder Abuse is a grossly under-reported crime. More than 2 million elderly Americans are victims of neglect or mistreatment every year."

The National Elder Abuse Incident Study found that only 15 percent of all elder abuse is reported.

To address that fact, Spallina said the elder abuse unit seeks to bring about community awareness through participation in senior events and speaking engagements.

Call 768-7536 or e-mail elderabuse@honolulu.gov for more information.


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Our Nursing Homes in Turmoil (Australia)

Our nursing homes in turmoil

By Rachel Browne

May 31, 2009

COMPLAINTS about nursing homes have tripled in a year, with authorities investigating serious cases of physical and sexual abuse as well as referring more than 30 deaths to the coroner.

The Department of Health and Ageing's Complaints Investigation Scheme (CIS) looked at almost 7500 complaints in 2007-08.

Of these, 1770 matters were referred to the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency for further investigation, 62 to nurses registration boards, 53 to the police, 33 to the coroner, 27 to the Health Care Complaints Commission and 13 to the Medical Practitioners Board.

Of the referrals to the coroner, seven occurred in NSW, 22 in Victoria, one in Queensland and three in South Australia.

This marks a significant increase from 2006-07, when the CIS and its predecessor, the Aged Care Complaints Resolution Scheme, examined 2399 complaints. In 2005-06, the scheme received 1260 complaints.

However, aged care lobby groups say the complaints handling system for Australia's 2830 nursing homes is seriously flawed and the public is denied information about the outcomes of investigations.

The Department of Health and Ageing will identify nursing homes that have been the subject of an official sanction or a notice of non-compliance.

The name-and-shame list will appear on a Department of Health and Ageing website from July 1.

But Aged Care Crisis Team spokeswoman Lynda Saltarelli said the information would be more than a year old and would relate only to a small number of homes subject to complaints.

"We would like to see a transparent system where a consumer can look at a nursing home and find out the type of ownership and structure; whether it has been the subject of failing standards as well as a complaint; the nature of the complaint; and what the provider did to address that complaint," Ms Saltarelli said.

There are 175,000 people in aged care facilities across the nation, a figure growing by 5000 a year.

Taxpayers subsidise the care of residents by an average of $45,000 a year, with residents contributing an average of $20,000 a year for care.

Over the next four years, the Government will invest more than $41.6 billion into aged and community care. During 2007-08 the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency conducted 5244 visits to homes, with 3105 visits unannounced. In this same period the Department of Health and Ageing undertook 3127 visits to homes, of which 1145 were unannounced.

he policy co-ordinator of the Combined Pensioners and Superannuants Association of NSW, Charmaine Crowe, said the increase in complaints revealed that people were more likely to come forward, but many complainants found their cases were not investigated thoroughly. "I know of one case which went to the department and was referred back to the nursing home. That complaint was very serious in nature. It should not have been referred back to the nursing home. That is simply unacceptable."

Elder Abuse Prevention Association founder Lillian Jeter said many cases of abuse or neglect were still going unreported.

Under changes to the law in 2007, it is mandatory for nursing home staff to report serious cases of physical or sexual abuse.

In 2007-08, there were 725 notifications of alleged unreasonable use of force and 200 allegations of alleged unlawful sexual contact.

However, nursing home staff are not obliged to report matters such as neglect, financial exploitation or psychological abuse.

"I think those three categories should come under mandatory reporting," Ms Jeter said.

"If you catch these so-called lesser types of incidents early, if you catch the neglect, the pyschological abuse or the financial exploitation, you are more likely to prevent the more serious types of incidents from happening. There needs to be a zero-tolerance policy."

The Aged Care Crisis Team is also calling for mandatory staff-to-resident ratios. "Hospitals, schools and child-care centres must adhere to set staffing levels. Why are facilities which provide end-of-life care exempt?" Ms Saltarelli said.


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Free Elder Abuse Training (MI. USA)

Elder Abuse Training - Tuition Free: Addressing Abuse as America Ages

 by David Badertscher

May 29, 2009

The National District Attorneys Association/National College of District Attorneys (NDAA), the National Clearinghouse on Abuse in Later Life (NCALL), and the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice (OVW), are pleased to announce a training opportunity on elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation. The conference, Addressing Abuse as America Ages: Enhancing the safety of elder abuse survivors, will begin Wednesday, September 30, 2009, and end Thursday, October 1. The course will be held at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

 The purpose of the conference is to strengthen the capacity of domestic violence and sexual assault programs, the justice system, adult protective services, the aging network and other organizations to respond effectively to older victims; hold elder abuse offenders accountable; and work collaboratively. Participants will work for two days in plenary sessions, workshops, and large groups to gain or renew the strength to promote victim safety and offender accountability. Any advocate who works in the fields of domestic violence, sexual assault, or elder abuse; criminal justice professionals; aging network providers; adult protective services workers; and survivors of elder abuse are all welcome and encouraged to attend. Participants from all 50 states, especially those representing underserved populations, are encouraged to apply.

No fee will be charged for the conference, but participants will be expected to pay their own travel, hotel, per diem, expenses, etc. OVW grant funds designated for training purposes may be allowed to be used for this purpose, if a program's OVW grant manager specifically approves such use. (The hotel arrangements provide for a rate of only $130/night, the Federal per diem rate.) Submission of an application is not a guarantee of attendance at the conference; please DO NOT make travel arrangements unless and until you have been notified that you are accepted.

The deadline for application has been extended; applications will be accepted through June 19, 2009. The application and additional information can be found at :http://www.ndaa.org/education/ndaa/elder_abuse_training_schedule.html. 

For more information about this conference, visit the above link or 
contact Erin Baldwin at 803-705-5093 or ebaldwin@ndaa.org. 



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May 30, 2009

Why Are Elderly Mistreated? (OK. USA)

Silent scandal 
Why are elderly mistreated?
 
By World's Editorial Writers
5/29/2009  

Maybe stress over a bad economy is partly to blame, or that families no longer are like the Waltons — multiple generations living easily together in the same household. Whatever the reason, there's no justification whatsoever for abuse of elderly relatives who appear — in shocking numbers — to be suffering the brunt of resentments, rage and neglect. 

Something's going on in the community and it isn't good. Since 2005, reports from Adult Protective Services show that in the metro area adult and elder abuse at the hands of adult children has jumped almost 38 percent. By any measure that's an outrageous — and dangerous — statistic. But at least, thanks to better reporting, Tulsans are on notice that someone's watching. 

But can agencies such as Adult Protective Services, a unit of Oklahoma's Department of Human Services, hope to watch closely enough? What happens behind closed doors often stays hidden until violence has escalated into injury or death. 

Russell Jones, an APS representative, said that when adult abuse cases began piling up, authorities created a program — The Vulnerable Adult Task Force — to address the most egregious cases. By following a report from start to finish, authorities are better able to head off recurrences of abuse or neglect. 

It's a tall order. In 2005 there were 1,850 reported cases of adult abuse. This year the number is projected to be 2,550 cases. 

The abuse often is inflicted by adult children who are ill-suited for 

caregiver roles and resent trying to cope with the medical problems so prevalent among the elderly. 

Jones recalled a recent case involving a man who severely beat his 96-year-old mother while serving as her caretaker. He was arrested after he withheld medical care and threatened to kill her. That is an extreme case but situations that start out with a little neglect here and a missed doctor's visit there can escalate into a life-threatening state of affairs. 

The only positive sign from these alarming statistics is that many of these cases are getting someone's attention. It's absolutely essential for overwhelmed family members to seek help before they do something they will regret. It's also incumbent on neighbors, friends and outside family members to report suspicious activity or injury. 

Silence is deadly.


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May 29, 2009

Elder Abuse and Related Issues (International)

 Visitors to this site must a times wondered why I have posted articles re aged care, nursing homes non-compliance of regulations and others affecting the welfare of the elderly.

I believe that we cannot discuss elder abuse awareness and prevention without addressing other issues regarding the welfare of the elderly.

Take for example, a nursing home that was sanctioned by the government for non-compliance of certain regulations put in place to monitor nursing homes. If, for instance, it was found that that particular nursing home was found to have employed carers that had not gone through police checks; this would sure endanger the residents.

Poor carer/resident ratio would undoubtedly create situations where overworked carers may neglect or even abuse the residents.

I am also committed to empowering seniors with information that would help them understand their rights. Yes, elder abuse is a human rights violation.

Seniors should be aware that they can and should report elder abuse. It is their right to be treated with respect and dignity.  No one have the right to abuse them; not even their own adult children, or other relatives.

Those who have been, or are currently experiencing abuses of any kind, should not feel ashamed to talk to someone about it.

There are a resources on this site (in the right column) where they can make use of. Resources are organized by countries or region.

Please make use of these resources, and let me know if there are broken links, or incorrect information.

Andrew 


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Pensioners Left to Wait Hours for Ambulance (Wales, UK)

Inquiry after pensioners left to wait hours for ambulances

May 28 2009

 by Madeleine Brindley

Western Mail

 

AN INVESTIGATION has been launched after two elderly patients were forced to wait hours in pain for emergency ambulances.

In the first incident, 79-year-old grandfather Fred Harvey waited almost two-and-a-half hours after suffering a suspected head injury.

And great-grandmother-of-two Hilda Davis spent three hours lying on the floor with a broken hip waiting for an emergency ambulance to arrive.

Both were admitted to the University Hospital of Wales, in Cardiff, where Mrs Davis was last night undergoing surgery.

The two cases reveal that the under-fire Welsh Ambulance Service is still struggling to cope with demand, despite a recent improvement in its overall response times.

It is understood that the ambulance service was “very busy” when Mr Harvey and Mrs Davis called for emergency help on Saturday and Tuesday, respectively.

Mr Harvey, who lives in Whitchurch, Cardiff, fell during a family event on Saturday afternoon, suffering head and facial injuries which bled extensively.

Fortunately, a male nurse was able to help as the family waited almost two-and-a-half hours for the ambulance to arrive.

Mr Harvey’s daughter Sue, 49, said: “We can’t just brush this matter under the carpet – it could have been really serious.

“We felt that calling an ambulance was the best thing to do – I now wish I’d taken him to hospital myself.”

Mrs Davis fell at her sheltered accommodation home in Penarth, in the Vale of Glamorgan, on Tuesday afternoon, fracturing her hip.

But, despite the warden of the complex calling 999 four times throughout the afternoon, paramedics did not arrive for three hours.

Her son Mark, 50, a chiropodist, said: “When you see your mother lying in pain, you do get very frustrated. This is no kind of service.

“This service is just not good enough – not only for my mother but for everyone else.”

The Welsh Ambulance Service’s performance has been improving steadily after it reached rock bottom in December.

The latest figures reveal that it achieved the all-Wales target of responding to 65% of life-or-death emergency 999 calls within eight minutes in March. But in the busy South East Wales region, just 59.2% of calls were reached within eight minutes.

Health Minister Edwina Hart has ordered the ambulance service to improve its performance in a number of areas in Wales, including the Vale of Glamorgan.

Chris Franks, Plaid Cymru AM for South Wales Central, said: “Once again we have more horror stories about the ambulance service.

“It is just not good enough to say that there are improvements. Things are clearly not changing quickly enough.

“It is extremely distressing that all patients are not receiving a service they deserve.

“I know things are improving but we need the ambulance trust and the hospitals to make even greater efforts.

“Health Minister Edwina Hart has reported there has been a sustained improvement in the timely handover of patients in Cardiff but more has to be done.”

A spokesman for the Welsh Ambulance Service said investigations are under way into both Mr Harvey’s and Mrs Davis’ cases.

He added: “While we cannot comment on individual cases, we would like to apologise for any distress caused by the delayed response.

“If the patient or family wish to contact us directly, we will be happy to discuss the case with them.”


SOURCE:    WalesOnline

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Abuse Frequently Against Elderly Women (USA)

By Martha Burk

 The month of May is almost behind us, and with it the flowers and candy many of us showered on our mothers earlier in the month to mark Mother’s Day. But many older mothers are getting showered with attention of another kind – abuse.

 Take the case of Ruth, an 89-year-old woman who was in fairly good health when she entered an Iowa nursing home for physical therapy in 2008. When she left to go home 25 days later, Ruth’s leg was rotting and consumed by gangrene. She died three months later. State and federal officials rightly called it neglect, and fined the nursing home $112,650.

 

The nursing home owner is of course contesting the ruling. He runs a lobbying organization and is complaining about the fine to Iowa legislators, accusing the inspections department of “flogging” nursing homes and blocking seniors’ access to care by imposing huge fines.

 Ruth’s case, highlighted in “Elder Abuse: A Women’s Issue,” the annual Mother’s Day report from the Older Women’s League (OWL), is by no means an isolated one. Domestic and institutional elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation cause serious harm to anywhere from 500,000 to 5 million individuals in the United States every year. Females make up approximately 66 percent of the victims. That means up to 3 million older women are battered, beaten, swindled, or neglected by relatives and so-called caregivers.


Martha Burk is the author of “Cult of Power: Sex Discrimination in Corporate America and What Can Be Done About It,” just out from Scribner. She is director, Corporate Accountability Project, National Council of Women’s Organizations. www.womensorganizations.org. Distributed by MinutemanMedia.org.

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Elder Abuse A Serious Matter in U.S.,Canada

By Carol Forsloff

May 28, 2009

As baby boomers age, more and more of them are concerned about their futures. With life expectancy increasing the focus is now on the treatment of the elderly. Elder abuse is considered a serious national problem both in the United States and Canada.

No one is safe from elder abuse, including the rich and powerful, as headlines observe. Even philanthropist Brook Astor was a victim. Her son Anthony Marshall was reported to have mistreated her in a series of scandals involving the Astor family before Brook’s death in 2007. Elder abuse is beginning to gain more and more attention with the aging of the population and high profile cases like these. 
 To add to the awareness the University of Delaware in cooperation with the National Center on Elder Abuse has developed an 
information piece featuring actor William Mapother of television's show lost. This short film will be shown on more than 700 screens in 50 movie theaters around the country. The hopes are to provide a single message reflecting concern about elders and their care. It will be shown during the May 22 through June 18, 2009. Mapother has been a national spokesperson for elder abuse awareness for several years. 

Kathleen Sebelius, US Department of Health and Human Services Secretary, said, "Our older Americans deserve our respect and honor, not abuse and neglect," "This landmark awareness effort will help us focus on an important issue that has received far too little attention. Public awareness is a significant first step toward reducing the abuse, neglect, and exploitation of seniors." 
 According to MEDLINE elder abuse is a serious problem in the United States. Each of the 50 states have laws against elder abuse. It is defined as actions that causes harm toward overly person or places them at risk. These can include the following: 
• Physical, sexual and emotional abuse 
• Neglecting or deserting an older person you are responsible for 
• Taking or misusing an elderly person's money or property 

Elder abuse does not just occur in institutions. It also happens within the family. That's why there is a national campaign to alert communities about the significance of the problem. Problems of elder abuse are not just a problem in the United States. During the past month Canada’s Honourable Diane Finley, Minister of Human Resources and Skills Development, stated, 

The Government of Canada recognizes the contributions Canadian seniors have made in building our country. They deserve to have the best quality of life possible-this is an important goal of the New Horizons for Seniors Program. Raising awareness of elder abuse will help to ensure the safety and security of seniors across Canada.


The National Center for Elder Abuse sponsors 
World Elder Abuse Day on June 15, an annual event. The film on elder abuse coincides with it. A website with additional information on both the film and issues of elder abuse can be found here.


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Elder Abuse is not a problem in the US and Canada.  Human Rights violation have not boundary. This is a growing global problem.  However, as one official mentioned to me - "It is a very sensitive issue that many politicians shy away from".

It is up to the rest of us in our own community to highlight the plight of those who are subjected to, or are in danger of Elder Abuse.

.................  AC




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Woman Sentenced in Abuse Case (MD. USA)

BY SHARAHN D. BOYKIN

 STAFF WRITER

 MAY 28, 2009

 A 61-year-old Salisbury woman was ordered to serve nearly three months in the county detention center after she pleaded guilty to adult abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult in Wicomico County Circuit Court on Wednesday.

The prosecutor called the case one of the most "appalling sights" seen in her 22 years at the State's Attorney's Office. However, the judge elected not to impose the maximum five-year prison penalty, stating that she believed the defendant wouldn't repeat the violations.

"It should be a humiliating situation to have that statement of charges read to another human being," said Judge Kathleen Beckstead.

Charges filed against Ruth May McCann include abuse and neglect of a vulnerable adult family member, reckless endangerment and vulnerable adult abuse resulting in physical injury, according to court records.

The charges against McCann is one of the most recent cases prosecuted by the new Wicomico County State's Attorney's Office Protection of Adults Vulnerable or Elderly Unit.

"As a society, we have to begin a protection system to protect the vulnerable," said Elizabeth Ireland, a Wicomico County assistant state's attorney.

Prosecutors started the unit six months ago to focus on crimes against the vulnerable and elderly, working with the local law enforcement and the Department of Social Services.

In court Wednesday, the state dropped the three charges in exchange for a guilty plea from McCann.

"I believe there should be some jail time, but not a lengthy period," said Beckstead, who suspended all but 90 days of the two-year sentence.

Police were called to Gateway Village Complex, a senior apartment complex, after they received a report of elder abuse.

McCann was the designated caretaker for an 84-year-old wheelchair-bound family member suffering from dementia, and she lived in the one-bedroom apartment with the woman.

Police reported a strong odor of feces and urine in the home.

"The stench from the apartment was overwhelming," Ireland said.

Police found what they believed to be fecal matter and fecal stains on the bedroom wall, headboard and on the victim's wheel chair. Officers reported the victim appeared to have been defecating and urinating in the bed.


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Elder Law Conference Set for June 4 (MA. USA)

Elder law conference set for June 4

Bristol DA to hold event at Wheaton College

SUN CHRONICLE STAFF

NORTON - An elder law conference, "Knowledge Equals Prevention," will take place from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Thursday, June 4 in Wheaton College's Emerson Dining Hall.

The event is a kickoff to Bristol County District Attorney Sam Sutter's commitment to provide elders, and the community, with prevention information to combat elder abuse.

Free tickets will be provided by the local council on aging office to those elders who cannot afford the $5 registration fee.

Over the rest of the year, Sutter plans to visit many of the county's senior centers and council on aging locations to deliver his message about knowledge equaling prevention. The district attorney's office is collaborating with the Attleboro Council on Aging to bring this message to elders in northern Bristol County. Sutter will give opening remarks at next Thursday's event.

Top prosecutors to speak

Two of Sutter's top prosecutors also will discuss the many different forms of elder abuse.

Co-Second Assistant District Attorney Paul Machado will speak about identity fraud, financial exploitation and scams.

Co-Second Assistant District Attorney Silvia Rudman, the chief of district attorney Sutter's Abuse Protection Unit, also will speak about physical, sexual and psychological abuse.

Elders and other conference attendees will learn how to recognize warning signs of abuse, how to report abuse, how cases are prosecuted, tips to prevent abuse and victim rights.

In addition, Bristol County Register of Probate Gina DeRossi will present information about services offered at the Registry of Probate and Family Court, which include wills, guardianships, restraining orders and other matters.


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Deputies, Local Agencies Work to Snuff Out Scams Against Seniors (CA. USA)

May 26, 2009

By PAUL LAROCCO

The Press-Enterprise

Dave Cruz and Ron Hall have tailored crime-prevention programs for apartment managers, motel owners and business leaders.

But for the past five months, the two San Bernardino County sheriff's deputies have traveled from the High Desert to the West Valley with senior citizens in mind.

"They have that tendency to be trustworthy of people," Cruz said. "They want to see the good, not the bad."

"And the criminals know that," Hall added.

The partners in the sheriff's public affairs division are still fine-tuning their "Crime Free Senior Living" road show, using an overhead projector and folksy banter to supply tips on identity theft, telemarketing scams and real-estate fraud.

As they grow the program -- last week's presentation at a Rancho Cucamonga senior apartment complex was only the seventh -- Cruz and Hall are joining the officials taking increased notice of elder crimes.

May is national Elder Abuse Awareness Month, and with it has come presentations in Riverside County, including Assemblyman Brian Nestande's "Senior Scam Stopper" town hall event and one sponsored by county Supervisor Bob Buster's office.

"Given what the economy is, the crooks are out in full force," said Ed Walsh, director of Riverside County's Office on Aging. "Seniors are particularly vulnerable."

Those involved in preventing scams on the elderly say that among the most prevalent are those targeting the homebound who live alone. With one phone call, a smooth-talking perpetrator can obtain a senior's most precious identifying information and financial account numbers.

"We try to give them permission to be rude," said Margo Hamilton, regional manager for the Riverside County Department of Social Services' CARE Team. "We encourage it, actually."

Hamilton said that CARE -- which works in both senior crime prevention and provides assistance to victims -- advises its clients to get everything in writing when curious about a telemarketing call.

Vicky Virgilio, the CARE community programs specialist stationed in Moreno Valley, said one of her goals is letting seniors know it's OK to admit they let their guard down once in a while.

"We know there's a shame factor in reporting these things," Virgilio said. "But we want the community to know what's out there."

Reach Paul LaRocco at 951-368-9468 or plarocco@PE.com

Reporting Scams Against Seniors

Federal Trade Commission Hotline: 877-438-4338

Riverside County Fraud Hotline: 800-344-8477

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10 Ways To Prevent It and Protect The Ones You Love (USA)

Preventing elder abuse requires a team effort. If all of the adult caregivers of an elderly person chip in, they can help ensure that the senior can live out the rest of their days with dignity. Here is a list of things to do to prevent abuse and exploitation of your elderly loved ones.

 1. Make sure that all of the basic legal documents are in place before you need them. Those documents include:

a. General Power of Attorney to name a person of your choosing to make financial decisions when you are no longer able to.

b. Health Care Power of Attorney to name someone else to make medical and health care decisions when you are unable to speak for yourself.

c. Living Will to express your end of life preferences. For example, if you are in a irreversible coma and you have a heart attack, do you want your care providers to ?resuscitate you by performing CPR?

d. HIPAA Authorization. This authorizes the persons you choose to be able to speak to the doctors and nurses who are treating you when you are unable to speak for yourself.

e. Mental Health Power of Attorney. If you have a psychological or psychiatric condition (like depression), this authorizes someone you trust to help make decisions on your behalf if it is determined that you are not making safe decisions for yourself (in other words, if you are engaging in self-neglect).

2. Make sure the older person is taking care of his or her health. An adult becomes vulnerable most often because of health issues. If the senior is healthy and able to drive to the grocery store and bank, then he or she is much less susceptible to pressures from dishonest predators.

3. If your older family member has drug, alcohol, and depression issues, urge them to seek professional help. These conditions can all lead to elder abuse.

4. Be resourceful. If you are the sole caretaker, get support from friends, relatives or local respite care agencies so you can take breaks, even if only for a couple of hours. Also, if you are aware of a sole caretaker caring for the elderly person, encourage them to seek respite. Find an adult day care program. Learn about community-based domestic violence services.

5. Help the senior stay active in the community and connected with friends and family. Invite them to family, community, or church activities. Introduce them to Community Centers that serve the elderly. This will decrease social isolation, which has been connected to elder abuse.

6. Be alert. Listen to your senior loved one and their caregivers. Don’t just think that mom is complaining to complain. Take what she says seriously. One person I know said her caregivers refused to take her to the bathroom, so she would go herself, risking a serious trip and fall incident each time she went alone. After a period of time she contracted a serious infection as a result of not being allowed to properly relieve her. She spent a week in ICU and almost died.

7. Look at the senior's medications and check that the amount in the bottle matches the date of the prescription. You want to check to see if your loved one is being over administered properly or if medications are being stolen.

8. Review Bank and Credit Card Statements often. Appoint more than one family member or caregiver to be responsible for the elderly person’s finances. Make sure beneficiary designations are as the person intended. Too often I have seen a family member lose their intended inheritance because another family member has gotten their mother or father to change the beneficiary or trust documents.

9. Stay in touch. Call and visit as often as you can. If the older person can rely on you, they will be less apt to rely on an untrustworthy neighbor or caretaker. Many churches have volunteer visitors who can visit your loved one on a regular basis. One of these visitors actually discovered a resident being abused and was able to get help for the elderly person and get the care facility closed down.

10. Intervene when you suspect elder abuse.

 If you believe a vulnerable adult is being exploited or abused, contact the family and Arizona Adult Protective Services at 1-877-767-2385. If you still have questions, contact a law firm that is experienced in Elder Law.

(Paul E. Deloughery is the founding partner at the Scottsdale law firm of Deloughery & Ruotolo, P.C. You may contact Paul at 602-443-4888 or email. For more information, go to www.delougherylaw.com.)


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May 28, 2009

Elder Fraud: Think Tank Urges New State Measures (NC. USA)

NC think tank urges new state measures to thwart rising risk of elderly losing cash to fraud

By Associated Press

May 27, 2009

A North Carolina think tank that studies state government programs said the state should enact new laws to protect the elderly against fraudsters out to steal their money.

The North Carolina Center for Public Policy Research said in a report issued Wednesday that North Carolina was the first state with an elder abuse law in 1973, but it has not been updated since 1981.

The center's recommendations include the General Assembly establishing a study commission to examine how the banking commissioner, the investment industry, and law enforcement agencies can combine to prevent elder fraud. The center said the commission should explore whether bank employees could be trained to recognize, report, and reduce fraud against the elderly.


SOURCE:     My Fox 8 - NC,USA
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Two Women Set for Trial on Elder Abuse Charges (FL. USA)

By NATALIE NEYSA ALUND 

May 27, 2009

Two Manatee women are set to stand trial on unrelated charges that they abused elderly patients in their care.

One of the caregivers, 27-year-old Shamara Daniels, of Bradenton, is set to go on trial Thursday for allegedly abusing a 98-year-old woman in her care at Freedom Village in July 2008. The other caregiver, Lakreasha Cunningham, 21, of Bradenton, is set to have her day in court next week. She is charged with abuse of an elderly person stemming from a July 16 attack on a 76-year-old woman at Westminister Pines Assisted Living Center.

Lawyers in Daniels’ case seated a jury Tuesday. Opening statements are expected Thursday morning, said Assistant State Attorney Darlene Ragoonanan, who is prosecuting the case.

 Daniels, charged with one count of battery of a victim older than age 65, faces up to five years in prison if convicted.

The Bradenton Police Department arrested Daniels in July after an investigation revealed the bruises on a patient in her care were signs of abuse, officers said.

According to a police report, Daniels, a certified nursing assistant, told officers she was trying to stop the patient from trying to bite her May 26, 2008. She also said the patient spit on her.


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May 27, 2009

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2009 - Conference and Resources

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2009

The International Network for Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA) and its partners invite you to join us July 5, 2009 in Paris, France for a day Conference, which will take place during the first day of the IAGG conference. It will focus on learning and understanding about elder abuse and the importance of the “1991 UN Principles for Older Persons.The conference is the centrepiece of

activities taking place around the globe to raise awareness of elder abuse. Other events include cultural, educational, art and social activities.

 

Click here to go to
Conference Program & Registration

 All are designed to increase understanding that elder abuse is a social and human rights issue that can be prevented.

 INPEA has designed a Resource Tool Kit to assist individuals and groups to participate in this global event. To access this Resource Tool Kit, go to: www.inpea.net

For more information on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, please visit: www.inpea.net



SOURCE:    INPEA.ORG
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Awareness campaigns are invaluable in preventing elder abuse. Let us contribute to this international campaign to prevent or stop elder abuse in our local community.

.........  AC


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Elderly Abuse is Very Hard to Detect (PA. USA)


By David Lindberg

May 26,2009

Abuse of the elderly often goes unreported and undetected. Caring for elders, especially victims of types of dementia, such as Alzheimer's Disease can test the patience of anyone. Mood swings of Alzheimer sufferers can push the most even tempered to lose control, especially if there are other stresses going on for a caregiver. This is a job that often finds professionals finding it difficult to maintain composure.

One case mentioned on UPMC's Health A - Z website, speaks of a family caring for a elderly mother who could no longer live on her own after her husband died. The family was having other teenage child issues, facing economical hard difficulties and as the stress was mounting, bouts of anger between the elderly mother and her caregiver daughter began. This is not something unusual. These are not cases of terrible people. They are persons who wish to help their elderly loved ones in their homes to allow their aging parent to be surrounded with family members who love them and will care for them, but care-giving can be the most difficult job in the world, if the elder has issues with behavior because their minds are gradually being wiped clean of memories and normal social behaviors.

 These are times when caregivers need to talk to others, look to their doctors or church or seek out help from elder care associations in their area. There is nothing wrong with asking for help or even coming to a decision that you can no longer talk care of your elder family member. There may be a need for a professional nursing care home.

 If you have a elder family member in a nursing home, do not necessarily dismiss things they may tell you about someone yelling at them or pushing them. Look for new marks on their body, wrists or elsewhere. If you help them to the bathroom, look for any marks or signs of abuse. If you suspect anything but are hesitant to speak to someone at the facility, call your doctor or look to the resource links on Pittsburgh Elder Care Examiner homepage. There are many resources to call if you have no one to go to, but follow your intuition, if you have suspicions, then ask the questions.

 The most important thing is to talk and look for advice and professional advice as well. The other key thing is to not allow yourself to feel guilt for looking for other help or even realizing that you can no longer take care of an elder while maintaining a family that is already dealing with stress of our current times.

 

For more info: See the Pittsburgh Elder Care Examiner homepage and look for the links for all the various resources, both local and national. Also check the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA). The help is out there. You only need to ask.


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May 26, 2009

Australian Govt. Acts on Victorian Nursing Home

23 May 2009


The Australian Government yesterday imposed sanctions on St Benedict’s Private Nursing Home in the Melbourne suburb of Sandringham, as the nursing home had not fixed previous non-compliance.

The Department of Health and Ageing imposed sanctions following inadequate action by the provider to address issues of concern identified by the independent Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency and the Department.

St Benedict’s is a 35 place facility. Currently, it has 30 residents; of whom 25 are high care, 1 is low care and 4 are being assessed. The aged care home has 8 residents over the age of 90.

The Department of Health and Ageing had concerns about:

  • Clinical care - failure to ensure that resident care plans are accurate and regularly reviewed; failure to ensure that staff have access to appropriate policies and procedures to guide best practice;
  • Occupational Health and Safety - failure to develop and implement an effective occupational health and safety system; failure to identify and manage risks; failure to provide training to staff on occupational health and safety;
  • Information Systems - failure to develop and implement effective systems for access to current and accurate information;
  • Continuous Improvement - failure to provide education for staff in continuous improvement; failure to implement a framework for continuous improvement and review of performance; and
  • Regulatory Compliance - failure to have system to demonstrate that all staff have police checks.


In the 2007-2008 financial year, St Benedict’s received $1.6 million in Australian Government funding for resident care.

Nationally, there are now 15 nursing homes under sanction out of the 2,830 aged care homes.

SOURCE:   Health.gov.au

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Elder Abuse Task Force to Host Seminar on Fraud

May 26, 2009

 A Senior Financial Fraud Seminar will take place from 9 a.m.-noon June 24 in the Catherine Evans McGowan Room of the Mary Kintz Bevevino Library at Misericordia University, Dallas. The in-service training session for members of the banking and financial industry is free and hosted by the Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Elder Abuse Task Force of Pennsylvania, Luzerne-Wyoming Counties Area Agency on Aging, and the Ethics Institute of Northeastern Pennsylvania at Misericordia University.

 To register, call 674-7201 or visit www.elderabusetaskforce.org.

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Any Charges Reported on this blog are Merely Accusations and the Defendants are Presumed Innocent Unless and Until Proven Guilty.

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