Jun 28, 2012
Reporter: David Tate
The Federal government is teaming up with law enforcement and nonprofits to combat the growing problem of elderly fraud in the Roanoke Valley.
Details of the task force were announced Wednesday at a press conference in Roanoke.
While people preying on the elderly is nothing new, here in the Roanoke Valley, in a number of key criminal statistics crime against the elderly is up more than 30 % this year.
That has forced the US Attorney's office to team up with all levels of local law enforcement, and groups like the Better Business Bureau and the Local Office on Aging, to help educate area seniors about what to look for.
More than 800 fliers are set to go out on the next Meals on Wheels run with other creative ways of educating seniors coming in the near future.
"If they know, before they wire money or before they provide that personal information, to pick up the phone and call us we can keep them from losing their thousands of dollars. So all this outreach is a huge help," said Julie Wheeler, with BBB of Western Virginia.
This task force came about some three months ago but only made it to the public eye Wednesday as all these groups have realized this criminal spike happening here in the Roanoke Valley.
Seniors are encouraged to get in touch with the Better Business Bureau or your local police if you have concerns or questions. The Better Business Bureau number is 1-800-533-5501.
SOURCE: WSET
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June 29, 2012
Elder Abuse: YouTube Bullies Shock the World (CANADA)
YouTube bullies shock the world
Jun 28, 2012
By Marla Shook
EMC Editorial - The world was shocked last week when a video depicting the bullying of a 69 year-old bus monitor went viral on YouTube. (the Video)
According to mass media reports, the widow of 17 years and grandmother of eight had worked as a bus driver in Greece, New York and for the past three years has been a bus monitor. Karen Klein, throughout the 10 minute video, was "verbally berated" by four children.
Since then public support has been overflowing, after a campaign was started to raise funds so she could go on her dream vacation. Reports say now, more than $600,000 has been raised.
While it might be a bit of a diversion in topic, when I heard about this I recalled information given out during a recent provincial Crime Stoppers convention in Peterborough, on elder abuse.
The 30-page pamphlet describes a crime it calls, "hidden", can come in many forms including abuse in the physical sense, sexual, financial, mental and neglect. According to the material, compiled by the Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO), "elder abuse is violent or abusive harm done to an older person. Elder abuse is often a crime." Frequently it's caused by a family member, friend, someone the senior might rely on for basic needs, or staff in group residential setting.
"Victims of elder abuse often know and trust their abuser," it reads.
"Some victims of elder abuse depend on the people who hurt them, sometimes for food, shelter, personal care, companionship or transportation."
Sometimes abuse presents itself through several symptoms including depression, unexplained injuries, dehydration, poor hygiene or even over-sedation. "Seldom reported" because victims are usually afraid of what their abuser will do to them if they report the crime, they are under control of the abuser and depend on them for various things, they are afraid they will be put into a care home, or institution and of course there are many other reasons.
Victims need safety, shelter and access to financial resources as well as emotional support and information about the law. There are many community resources available for victims, including the police, women's shelters and transition homes, emergency beds in long term care homes, Community Care Access Centres and more. As well, there are many agencies, which can aid in finding help and information, including the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, (416)-916-6728 and www.onpea.org.
SOURCE: EMC ALMONTE/CARLETON PLACE
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Jun 28, 2012
By Marla Shook
EMC Editorial - The world was shocked last week when a video depicting the bullying of a 69 year-old bus monitor went viral on YouTube. (the Video)
According to mass media reports, the widow of 17 years and grandmother of eight had worked as a bus driver in Greece, New York and for the past three years has been a bus monitor. Karen Klein, throughout the 10 minute video, was "verbally berated" by four children.
Since then public support has been overflowing, after a campaign was started to raise funds so she could go on her dream vacation. Reports say now, more than $600,000 has been raised.
While it might be a bit of a diversion in topic, when I heard about this I recalled information given out during a recent provincial Crime Stoppers convention in Peterborough, on elder abuse.
The 30-page pamphlet describes a crime it calls, "hidden", can come in many forms including abuse in the physical sense, sexual, financial, mental and neglect. According to the material, compiled by the Community Legal Education Ontario (CLEO), "elder abuse is violent or abusive harm done to an older person. Elder abuse is often a crime." Frequently it's caused by a family member, friend, someone the senior might rely on for basic needs, or staff in group residential setting.
"Victims of elder abuse often know and trust their abuser," it reads.
"Some victims of elder abuse depend on the people who hurt them, sometimes for food, shelter, personal care, companionship or transportation."
Sometimes abuse presents itself through several symptoms including depression, unexplained injuries, dehydration, poor hygiene or even over-sedation. "Seldom reported" because victims are usually afraid of what their abuser will do to them if they report the crime, they are under control of the abuser and depend on them for various things, they are afraid they will be put into a care home, or institution and of course there are many other reasons.
Victims need safety, shelter and access to financial resources as well as emotional support and information about the law. There are many community resources available for victims, including the police, women's shelters and transition homes, emergency beds in long term care homes, Community Care Access Centres and more. As well, there are many agencies, which can aid in finding help and information, including the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, (416)-916-6728 and www.onpea.org.
SOURCE: EMC ALMONTE/CARLETON PLACE
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Elder Abuse: Woman Robbed of All But 37 Cents (USA)
Elder abuse: woman robbed of all but 37 cents
Christopher Cousins, Bangor Daily News
Maine
June 28, 2012
PEMAQUID — He left her with 37 cents.
Gwendolyn Swank worked her entire life and when her savings account reached a certain amount, she invested in IRAs, mutual funds and the stock market. By the time she reached her 70s, she had more than $300,000 in assets plus a monthly Social Security check to cover living expenses.
She thought she was set for life. Then in 2004, Rodney Chapman came into her life.
Chapman was a longtime neighbor who for the next six years became Swank’s best friend and worst enemy at the same time. By the time Chapman was arrested at her modest mobile home in Pemaquid in 2011 and charged with theft, Swank’s retirement nest egg was gone — all except for 37 cents.
“I had a pretty good portfolio that I thought would take care of me in my old age. It’s gone,” said Swank, who is now 85 years old. “I never, ever thought he’d take me for the ride he did.”
On June 12, Swank was awarded a $1.3 million civil judgment against Chapman in Lincoln County Superior Court. Chapman is serving a five-year sentence for his crimes against Swank, and according to Denis Culley, an attorney for Maine Legal Services for the Elderly who represented Swank in the civil lawsuit, he has little or no ability to pay.
Swank, who spent most of her life working as a financial bookkeeper, is in financial ruins. She is behind on payments to credit card companies for expenses accrued on behalf of Chapman, and owes her landlord and Central Maine Power Co. thousands of dollars. She owes $60,000 in state and federal taxes for money she withdrew from stocks and IRAs and gave to Chapman. At an age when most of her peers are relaxing in retirement, Swank worked for the first part of this year as a bookkeeper for a local business in hopes of paying down some of her debts.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Sun Journal
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June 27, 2012
Elder Abuse: 2 More Former KVHD Employees Take Plea Deals (USA)
2 More Former KVHD Employees Take Plea Deals In Elder Abuse Case
Former Medical Director, Hospital Administrator Take Plea Deals
By Kimberly Foley- 23ABC Mountain Reporter
June 25, 2012
Over three years ago, 23 ABC told the story of four Kern Valley Healthcare District employees who were charged with allegedly administering psychiatric drugs to patients by force resulting in several deaths.
In the past few weeks, two of those accused have made plea deals.
The investigation began in January 2007 when the state department of public health said 22 patients at KVHD were given psychiatric medications to keep them under control. Three patients allegedly died as a result.
Former medical director, Dr. Hoshang Pormir, faced charges of elder abuse and accused of administering those medications to Alzheimer's and dementia patients.
Pormir reached a plea deal on June 1. He pleaded no contest to a conspiracy charge.
"I don't feel any relief because I haven't heard the sentencing yet," said Connie Cryts, a former patient of Pormir's.
Hospital administrator Pamela Ott was charged with eight felony counts of elder abuse for allegedly knowing about the situation and allowing staff to proceed.
Ott took the same plea deal as Pormir. She pleaded no contest to a conspiracy charge. In exchange, all elder abuse charges were dropped against the two.
Cryts talked to 23 ABC about the several complaints she had filed against Pormir over the years.
"He should get what's coming to him," said Cryts. "I think he should spend life in prison because of people that are without their relatives that he murdered."
A third defendant, Debbi Hayes, a former pharmacist at the hospital, took a plea deal in September 2009.
She pleaded no contest to a conspiracy charge and served three days in jail.
The fourth person charged in this case is former director of nursing Gwen Hughes. She faces eight charges of elder abuse and two charges of assault with a deadly weapon. Hughes' trial begins in October.
Pormir will be sentenced in July. Ott will be sentenced in August.
SOURCE: TurnTo23
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Former Medical Director, Hospital Administrator Take Plea Deals
By Kimberly Foley- 23ABC Mountain Reporter
June 25, 2012
Over three years ago, 23 ABC told the story of four Kern Valley Healthcare District employees who were charged with allegedly administering psychiatric drugs to patients by force resulting in several deaths.
In the past few weeks, two of those accused have made plea deals.
The investigation began in January 2007 when the state department of public health said 22 patients at KVHD were given psychiatric medications to keep them under control. Three patients allegedly died as a result.
Former medical director, Dr. Hoshang Pormir, faced charges of elder abuse and accused of administering those medications to Alzheimer's and dementia patients.
Pormir reached a plea deal on June 1. He pleaded no contest to a conspiracy charge.
"I don't feel any relief because I haven't heard the sentencing yet," said Connie Cryts, a former patient of Pormir's.
Hospital administrator Pamela Ott was charged with eight felony counts of elder abuse for allegedly knowing about the situation and allowing staff to proceed.
Ott took the same plea deal as Pormir. She pleaded no contest to a conspiracy charge. In exchange, all elder abuse charges were dropped against the two.
Cryts talked to 23 ABC about the several complaints she had filed against Pormir over the years.
"He should get what's coming to him," said Cryts. "I think he should spend life in prison because of people that are without their relatives that he murdered."
A third defendant, Debbi Hayes, a former pharmacist at the hospital, took a plea deal in September 2009.
She pleaded no contest to a conspiracy charge and served three days in jail.
The fourth person charged in this case is former director of nursing Gwen Hughes. She faces eight charges of elder abuse and two charges of assault with a deadly weapon. Hughes' trial begins in October.
Pormir will be sentenced in July. Ott will be sentenced in August.
SOURCE: TurnTo23
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The Scams that Target the Elderly (UK)
By lovemoney.com
Jun 26, 2012
The Insolvency Service warn the older generation to be careful after finding 78 rogue companies that prey on older people with scams worth £28 million.
The Insolvency Service has uncovered 78 companies that were guilty of scamming older people out of their hard-earned money.
The service, which investigates and shuts down dodgy companies, found that one in ten of the firms they looked into between April 2009 and March 2012 had conned over 2,000 elderly people out of approximately £28 million.
The Insolvency Service is now working with Age UK, the Alzheimer's Society and Action on Elder Abuse to highlight how vulnerable sections of society are being exploited.So what sort of scams should the elderly and their carers be aware of?
More scams to watch out for
• Telephone bank card scam on the rise
• How to get your money back after a scam
• This fairytale is nothing but a scam
Landbanking companies
Of the 78 companies investigated by the Insolvency Service, 49 were involved in so-called landbanking scams These involved 'hard sell' techniques where a salesman offers plots of land with the promise that the investor will be able to develop there at some point in the near future and make a substantial return.
This is not illegal but the land is usually sold to the investor without the necessary planning permission and in some instances is in fact green belt land which is protected from development by law and so is in reality worthless.
Robert Burns, Head of Investigation and Enforcement for the Insolvency Service, confirmed that not a single landbanking company that the Insolvency Service investigated produced a profit for an investor.
Case study: Century Property Group Ltd
Century Property Group Ltd, formerly Century Land Group Limited, was forced into liquidation by the High Court in April 2012 following an investigation by the Insolvency Service. It was found that the company exaggerated the investment potential of land, claiming that the plots they were selling had considerable development potential when there was no evidence to support this.
The investigation found that 228 plots of land had been mis-sold to the public, making the company £10 million. The company managed to trick one family into investing £600,000.
For more information on Landbanking please see here.
Mobility product retail scams
Mobility retail scams typically target the elderly and involve home visits or phone calls where aggressive tactics are employed to make a sale.
Case study: Reo Marketing Ltd
Reo Marketing Ltd sold orthopedic products to elderly people. It used telesales staff to cold call people and convince them to let a salesperson make a home visit under the guise that they would be participating in a survey.
In reality the company used the opportunity to send agents in who used high pressure tactics and lies to make a sale. For example, sales representatives would make false claims about the medical benefits of a product and sometimes pretended to represent social services.
The average age of this company's customers was 79 years. Home visits were reported to have lasted hours and some customers told how they had been followed around the house. The only way to get rid of the salesperson, in most cases, was to agree to the purchase.
The company had a turnover of £1.3 million in less than 10 months attained by high pressure sales, a confusing pricing structure and non-existent discounts. The company marked-up the price of the products, in one instance by 1,326%. They also were guilty of breaching data protection and VAT laws.
The Insolvency Service wound up this business in the public interest in March 2012.
Abridged (Worthwhile to go to SOURCE for the whole article)
SOURCE: MONEY.AOL UK
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Jun 26, 2012
The Insolvency Service warn the older generation to be careful after finding 78 rogue companies that prey on older people with scams worth £28 million.
The Insolvency Service has uncovered 78 companies that were guilty of scamming older people out of their hard-earned money.
The service, which investigates and shuts down dodgy companies, found that one in ten of the firms they looked into between April 2009 and March 2012 had conned over 2,000 elderly people out of approximately £28 million.
The Insolvency Service is now working with Age UK, the Alzheimer's Society and Action on Elder Abuse to highlight how vulnerable sections of society are being exploited.So what sort of scams should the elderly and their carers be aware of?
More scams to watch out for
• Telephone bank card scam on the rise
• How to get your money back after a scam
• This fairytale is nothing but a scam
Landbanking companies
Of the 78 companies investigated by the Insolvency Service, 49 were involved in so-called landbanking scams These involved 'hard sell' techniques where a salesman offers plots of land with the promise that the investor will be able to develop there at some point in the near future and make a substantial return.
This is not illegal but the land is usually sold to the investor without the necessary planning permission and in some instances is in fact green belt land which is protected from development by law and so is in reality worthless.
Robert Burns, Head of Investigation and Enforcement for the Insolvency Service, confirmed that not a single landbanking company that the Insolvency Service investigated produced a profit for an investor.
Case study: Century Property Group Ltd
Century Property Group Ltd, formerly Century Land Group Limited, was forced into liquidation by the High Court in April 2012 following an investigation by the Insolvency Service. It was found that the company exaggerated the investment potential of land, claiming that the plots they were selling had considerable development potential when there was no evidence to support this.
The investigation found that 228 plots of land had been mis-sold to the public, making the company £10 million. The company managed to trick one family into investing £600,000.
For more information on Landbanking please see here.
Mobility product retail scams
Mobility retail scams typically target the elderly and involve home visits or phone calls where aggressive tactics are employed to make a sale.
Case study: Reo Marketing Ltd
Reo Marketing Ltd sold orthopedic products to elderly people. It used telesales staff to cold call people and convince them to let a salesperson make a home visit under the guise that they would be participating in a survey.
In reality the company used the opportunity to send agents in who used high pressure tactics and lies to make a sale. For example, sales representatives would make false claims about the medical benefits of a product and sometimes pretended to represent social services.
The average age of this company's customers was 79 years. Home visits were reported to have lasted hours and some customers told how they had been followed around the house. The only way to get rid of the salesperson, in most cases, was to agree to the purchase.
The company had a turnover of £1.3 million in less than 10 months attained by high pressure sales, a confusing pricing structure and non-existent discounts. The company marked-up the price of the products, in one instance by 1,326%. They also were guilty of breaching data protection and VAT laws.
The Insolvency Service wound up this business in the public interest in March 2012.
Abridged (Worthwhile to go to SOURCE for the whole article)
SOURCE: MONEY.AOL UK
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Elder Abuse on the Rise
ELDER ABUSE ON THE RISE
By LISA ERMAK
The Holland Sentinel
Jun 26, 2012
Holland —
Elder abuse is an unrecognized, unreported social problem and one Lynne McCollum, elder abuse prevention specialist with the state of Michigan, predicts will only get worse as the population of people 60 years old and over steadily increases.
Elder abuse in Michigan has increased 30 percent over the past five years, according to numbers from Adult Protective Services.
The mistreatment results in loss or harm to an elderly person, including neglect, sexual abuse, domestic violence, financial abuse and psychological abuse.
Every year, more than 2 million elderly Americans are victims of abuse and exploitation, while about 73,000 are victims in Michigan, according to the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging.
McCollum said elder abuse remains under the radar, since victims are often unable to come forward and self report or are afraid to.
“Isolation is a primary tactic utilized by abusers, preventing the vulnerable adult from contact with individuals who could report abuse,” she said. “Further, given that a majority of vulnerable adults are victimized by someone close to them, many feel shame in reporting someone they know and love is harming them.”
Dolores Trese works as managing attorney of the Holland office of Legal Aid of Western Michigan and is a member of the Tri-County Senior Protection Team, a task force that tries to address the issues of elder abuse in Ottawa, Muskegon, and Oceana counties.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Holland-Sentinel
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By LISA ERMAK
The Holland Sentinel
Jun 26, 2012
Holland —
Elder abuse is an unrecognized, unreported social problem and one Lynne McCollum, elder abuse prevention specialist with the state of Michigan, predicts will only get worse as the population of people 60 years old and over steadily increases.
Elder abuse in Michigan has increased 30 percent over the past five years, according to numbers from Adult Protective Services.
The mistreatment results in loss or harm to an elderly person, including neglect, sexual abuse, domestic violence, financial abuse and psychological abuse.
Every year, more than 2 million elderly Americans are victims of abuse and exploitation, while about 73,000 are victims in Michigan, according to the Michigan Office of Services to the Aging.
McCollum said elder abuse remains under the radar, since victims are often unable to come forward and self report or are afraid to.
“Isolation is a primary tactic utilized by abusers, preventing the vulnerable adult from contact with individuals who could report abuse,” she said. “Further, given that a majority of vulnerable adults are victimized by someone close to them, many feel shame in reporting someone they know and love is harming them.”
Dolores Trese works as managing attorney of the Holland office of Legal Aid of Western Michigan and is a member of the Tri-County Senior Protection Team, a task force that tries to address the issues of elder abuse in Ottawa, Muskegon, and Oceana counties.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Holland-Sentinel
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Carer Carried Out Sex Attacks on 3 Elderly Patients (UK)
STV
25 June 2012
A carer raped a 65-year-old dementia patient at the nursing home where he worked.
Stephen Murray also confessed to sexually abusing two other Alzheimer's sufferers, aged 84 and 74, at the South Lanarkshire facility.
The 44-year-old was caught by a colleague with his trousers at his ankles and a resident naked from the waist down at the Ashgill home.
On Monday the High Court in Glasgow heard that Murray stabbed himself with a pair of scissors while waiting for police to arrest him when fellow workers caught him abusing the pensioner.
Advocate depute Alison Di Rollo said: "She looked in at two or three of the residents' rooms to see if he was there. When she got to the 65-year-old woman's room the light was off, but the en-suite bathroom light was on and the door was ajar.
"She saw the accused standing at the bottom of the bed. His trousers and pants were at his ankles. The woman was lying on the bed naked from the waist down."
The court heard that when Murray was confronted by his shocked colleague he appeared agitated and embarrassed and said: "My trousers have fell down, my zip's burst."
The care home worker then phoned her manager and the police were contacted.
When he was interviewed at Hamilton Police Station, Murray admitted raping the woman added: "It was stupid. It was stupid, disgusting, because I know it's wrong. I just lost the plot. It was wrong, it was stupid, I hurt her."
Murray, from Larkhall, also admitted sexually abusing two other residents over a 16-month period between December 2010 and April 2012.
Judge Lord Turnbull placed the carer on the sex offenders register and deferred sentence on him until next month at the High Court in Edinburgh.
After the court hearing, Detective Inspector David Tassie said: "Stephen Murray has today pled guilty to a sickening catalogue of crimes which affected one of the most vulnerable sections of our community - the elderly and infirm.
"As soon as the first incident was brought to the attention of police an investigation was launched and a major incident room and specialist inquiry team established. This team of detectives led by myself included specially trained sexual offences liaison officers. The investigation soon established that the initial incident was not an isolated case within the home.
"We are grateful for the co-operation of the families in what was a very harrowing time for them and hope that this admission of guilt will assist them in coming to terms with the effects of these despicable crimes. I would like to reassure the public that we are satisfied that we have captured and acted on all the available evidence and would like to also reassure that Strathclyde Police remain committed to keeping the public safe, no matter where they are in our community."
Procurator fiscal for the West of Scotland, John Dunn, added: "Stephen Murray has admitted to a course of conduct involving the rape of an elderly victim whom he had previously sexually assaulted and attempted to rape. He also admitted sexually assaulting two other elderly women.
"All three of his victims had dementia and were residents at a care home where Murray worked. They were unable to speak or communicate verbally. It is difficult to imagine a more despicable or serious breach of trust."
SOURCE: STV
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25 June 2012
A carer raped a 65-year-old dementia patient at the nursing home where he worked.
Stephen Murray also confessed to sexually abusing two other Alzheimer's sufferers, aged 84 and 74, at the South Lanarkshire facility.
The 44-year-old was caught by a colleague with his trousers at his ankles and a resident naked from the waist down at the Ashgill home.
On Monday the High Court in Glasgow heard that Murray stabbed himself with a pair of scissors while waiting for police to arrest him when fellow workers caught him abusing the pensioner.
Advocate depute Alison Di Rollo said: "She looked in at two or three of the residents' rooms to see if he was there. When she got to the 65-year-old woman's room the light was off, but the en-suite bathroom light was on and the door was ajar.
"She saw the accused standing at the bottom of the bed. His trousers and pants were at his ankles. The woman was lying on the bed naked from the waist down."
The court heard that when Murray was confronted by his shocked colleague he appeared agitated and embarrassed and said: "My trousers have fell down, my zip's burst."
The care home worker then phoned her manager and the police were contacted.
When he was interviewed at Hamilton Police Station, Murray admitted raping the woman added: "It was stupid. It was stupid, disgusting, because I know it's wrong. I just lost the plot. It was wrong, it was stupid, I hurt her."
Murray, from Larkhall, also admitted sexually abusing two other residents over a 16-month period between December 2010 and April 2012.
Judge Lord Turnbull placed the carer on the sex offenders register and deferred sentence on him until next month at the High Court in Edinburgh.
After the court hearing, Detective Inspector David Tassie said: "Stephen Murray has today pled guilty to a sickening catalogue of crimes which affected one of the most vulnerable sections of our community - the elderly and infirm.
"As soon as the first incident was brought to the attention of police an investigation was launched and a major incident room and specialist inquiry team established. This team of detectives led by myself included specially trained sexual offences liaison officers. The investigation soon established that the initial incident was not an isolated case within the home.
"We are grateful for the co-operation of the families in what was a very harrowing time for them and hope that this admission of guilt will assist them in coming to terms with the effects of these despicable crimes. I would like to reassure the public that we are satisfied that we have captured and acted on all the available evidence and would like to also reassure that Strathclyde Police remain committed to keeping the public safe, no matter where they are in our community."
Procurator fiscal for the West of Scotland, John Dunn, added: "Stephen Murray has admitted to a course of conduct involving the rape of an elderly victim whom he had previously sexually assaulted and attempted to rape. He also admitted sexually assaulting two other elderly women.
"All three of his victims had dementia and were residents at a care home where Murray worked. They were unable to speak or communicate verbally. It is difficult to imagine a more despicable or serious breach of trust."
SOURCE: STV
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June 25, 2012
Facility Director in Jail for Elder Abuse (CA. USA)
Facility director Nancy Totanes in jail for elder abuse
By Linda Kincaid
Senior Issues Examiner
June 23, 2012
Nancy Totanes, director of two Escondido, California residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFE), was arrested on May 16, 2012, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. A victim’s family reports that Totanes was originally charged with seven felonies.
• PC 484-487: Theft/fraudulently appropriating property (2 counts)
• PC 236-368: Elder false imprisonment with violence (2 counts)
• PC 368(E): Financial elder abuse
• PC 484G(A): Credit card fraud
• PC 476(A): Make fictitious check
Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform (CARR) reviewed documents filed with the Court. In a plea agreement, Totanes pleaded guilty to four counts of theft and one count of making a fictitious check.
Totanes’ RCFE license was revoked in 1990, according to CARR. Community Care Licensing issued a lifetime ban against Totanes owning or operating a RCFE.
The RCFEs operated by Totanes were not licensed. On January 14, 2011, CCL issued a Notice of Operation in Violation of the Law. Totanes responded by physically assaulting the investigator, according to a victim’s family.
That Notice began a nightmare chain of events for the family of resident Francesca Mangiocina. Totanes moved “Franny” to a facility in another city. The move was without the knowledge or consent of Franny’s family. For days, Franny’s children were unable to locate their mother.
Totanes ultimately returned Franny to the Escondido facility, where Franny died a few hours later. Franny’s books, music collection, and clothing are gone. All Totanes returned to the family was a single T-shirt and a small mirror.
Totanes eventually gave Franny’s children a check for Franny’s missing possessions. That check was returned unpaid four times.
Franny’s children told their story on Justice Quest, beginning with a 5/26/2012 posting by “Simplicity.”
I still feel the sting and loss of my mother and the circumstances surrounding her death.
A statement to Special Agent Kris Lyle of the Department of Justice included:
I can't emphasize enough how distraught my sister and I have been regarding our mother's death. We were not only uncertain as to where she was, but if she was being properly cared for, fed, and given medication. And to make matters worse we cannot trust Nancy Totanes to provide us with truthful answers.
Totanes currently enjoys the hospitality of the Las Colinas Detention Facility. She will be sentenced at 1:30PM on June 27. Victims will testify at the hearing. Vista Courthouse is located at 325 South Melrose Drive in Vista, CA 92081.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Examiner.com
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By Linda Kincaid
Senior Issues Examiner
June 23, 2012
Nancy Totanes, director of two Escondido, California residential care facilities for the elderly (RCFE), was arrested on May 16, 2012, according to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Department. A victim’s family reports that Totanes was originally charged with seven felonies.
• PC 484-487: Theft/fraudulently appropriating property (2 counts)
• PC 236-368: Elder false imprisonment with violence (2 counts)
• PC 368(E): Financial elder abuse
• PC 484G(A): Credit card fraud
• PC 476(A): Make fictitious check
Consumer Advocates for RCFE Reform (CARR) reviewed documents filed with the Court. In a plea agreement, Totanes pleaded guilty to four counts of theft and one count of making a fictitious check.
Totanes’ RCFE license was revoked in 1990, according to CARR. Community Care Licensing issued a lifetime ban against Totanes owning or operating a RCFE.
The RCFEs operated by Totanes were not licensed. On January 14, 2011, CCL issued a Notice of Operation in Violation of the Law. Totanes responded by physically assaulting the investigator, according to a victim’s family.
That Notice began a nightmare chain of events for the family of resident Francesca Mangiocina. Totanes moved “Franny” to a facility in another city. The move was without the knowledge or consent of Franny’s family. For days, Franny’s children were unable to locate their mother.
Totanes ultimately returned Franny to the Escondido facility, where Franny died a few hours later. Franny’s books, music collection, and clothing are gone. All Totanes returned to the family was a single T-shirt and a small mirror.
Totanes eventually gave Franny’s children a check for Franny’s missing possessions. That check was returned unpaid four times.
Franny’s children told their story on Justice Quest, beginning with a 5/26/2012 posting by “Simplicity.”
I still feel the sting and loss of my mother and the circumstances surrounding her death.
A statement to Special Agent Kris Lyle of the Department of Justice included:
I can't emphasize enough how distraught my sister and I have been regarding our mother's death. We were not only uncertain as to where she was, but if she was being properly cared for, fed, and given medication. And to make matters worse we cannot trust Nancy Totanes to provide us with truthful answers.
Totanes currently enjoys the hospitality of the Las Colinas Detention Facility. She will be sentenced at 1:30PM on June 27. Victims will testify at the hearing. Vista Courthouse is located at 325 South Melrose Drive in Vista, CA 92081.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Examiner.com
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Namibia: Elderly Abuse Prevalent in the Country
Namibia: Elderly Abuse Prevalent in the Country
By Hilma Hashange
22 June 2012
Last week Friday was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) with the main purpose of raising awareness of elderly abuse through out the world.
According to the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC), one in ten people who apply for protection orders in Namibia are over the age of fifty. This data illustrates the fact that domestic violence affects people of all ages, and crimes commited to elderly people in the country is prevalent considering the media reports of parents killed or beaten up by their own children.
In its forthcoming report, which will be released in a few months, titled Seeking Safety, the LAC stated that violence between a parent and child or grandparent and grandchild is the second largest cause of complaints falling in the domestic violence category. Only violence between husbands and wives or between couples living in a close domestic relationship, ranks higher.
Remarkably, within the child parent group there are more cases of violence by children or grandchildren against their parents or grandparents, than the other way around. Elderly people are particularly exposed to attacks from younger people.
The study also showed that elderly people who applied for protection orders requested provisions such as no communication, custody of grandchildren, limitations of access by the abuser to grandchildren and temporary maintenance.
The Combating of Domestic Violence Act states that if a person is over the age of 21 but for some reason is unable to make an application for a protection order in person, this can be done on behalf of the victim by a third party provided written consent has been given.
The LAC says this might be useful for elderly people who finds it difficult to travel to the court to make applications. The person who helps can be anyone with an interest in the well-being of the person being abused, such as a friend, family member, pastor or social worker.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was celebrated last week at Onkugo Ye Pongo Community Centre in Katutura.
SOURCE: The AllAfrica
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By Hilma Hashange
22 June 2012
Last week Friday was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) with the main purpose of raising awareness of elderly abuse through out the world.
According to the Legal Assistance Centre (LAC), one in ten people who apply for protection orders in Namibia are over the age of fifty. This data illustrates the fact that domestic violence affects people of all ages, and crimes commited to elderly people in the country is prevalent considering the media reports of parents killed or beaten up by their own children.
In its forthcoming report, which will be released in a few months, titled Seeking Safety, the LAC stated that violence between a parent and child or grandparent and grandchild is the second largest cause of complaints falling in the domestic violence category. Only violence between husbands and wives or between couples living in a close domestic relationship, ranks higher.
Remarkably, within the child parent group there are more cases of violence by children or grandchildren against their parents or grandparents, than the other way around. Elderly people are particularly exposed to attacks from younger people.
The study also showed that elderly people who applied for protection orders requested provisions such as no communication, custody of grandchildren, limitations of access by the abuser to grandchildren and temporary maintenance.
The Combating of Domestic Violence Act states that if a person is over the age of 21 but for some reason is unable to make an application for a protection order in person, this can be done on behalf of the victim by a third party provided written consent has been given.
The LAC says this might be useful for elderly people who finds it difficult to travel to the court to make applications. The person who helps can be anyone with an interest in the well-being of the person being abused, such as a friend, family member, pastor or social worker.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day was celebrated last week at Onkugo Ye Pongo Community Centre in Katutura.
SOURCE: The AllAfrica
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June 19, 2012
EUROPE: AGE Calls for an EU Quality Framwork for Long-Term Care
PRESS RELEASE
Brussels, 14 June 2012
International Day against Elder Abuse
Stop elder abuse:
AGE calls for an EU quality framework for long-term care to support the wellbeing and dignity of older people
“With the ageing of the population and the major social and economic reforms this demographic change will entail, finding ways of preventing elder abuse and ensuring a dignified life in old age will be a major challenge across the EU and needs be at the core of the current EU active and healthy ageing policies”, highlights Anne-Sophie Parent, AGE Secretary-General, on the eve of the International Day against Elder Abuse on 15 June.
In the last few years, the issue of abuse and negligence against vulnerable older people has gained importance at European and national levels. Public authorities, policy makers, care providers and end users’ organisations are now aware that elder abuse and neglect is a serious infringement to human rights that can no longer be tolerated, and measures must be put in place to ensure that older persons are adequately protected and can enjoy a dignified old age even when they become dependent on others for care and assistance.
We all know cases of older people abused and neglected, and these poor practices can be found in all EU countries and in all care settings, at home, in the community or in institutions. Some of these cases are examples of intentional abuse and neglect but the vast majority of them reflect just unintentional ‘bad care’ which affect the wellbeing and dignity of older vulnerable persons. However, many positive experiences and (real) success stories exist as well across Europe. Most of the time, carers - both formal and informal - are very devoted and go out of their way to provide the best care they can to the older person in need of assistance.
In our view the best way to prevent ‘bad care’ and elder abuse is by improving the quality of care and support we provide to older people in need of care and assistance. As part of the EU funded WeDO project, AGE and a group of partners from 12 countries, are developing a European Quality Framework for Long-Term Care which includes quality principles and recommendations for the implementation of these principles which are based on the European Charter of Rights and Responsibilities of older people in need of long-term care and assistance, developed in 2010. The European Quality Framework for Long-term care will be presented at the European Parliament in Brussels on 14 November 2012.
END
SOURCE: AGE Platform EU
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Brussels, 14 June 2012
International Day against Elder Abuse
Stop elder abuse:
AGE calls for an EU quality framework for long-term care to support the wellbeing and dignity of older people
“With the ageing of the population and the major social and economic reforms this demographic change will entail, finding ways of preventing elder abuse and ensuring a dignified life in old age will be a major challenge across the EU and needs be at the core of the current EU active and healthy ageing policies”, highlights Anne-Sophie Parent, AGE Secretary-General, on the eve of the International Day against Elder Abuse on 15 June.
In the last few years, the issue of abuse and negligence against vulnerable older people has gained importance at European and national levels. Public authorities, policy makers, care providers and end users’ organisations are now aware that elder abuse and neglect is a serious infringement to human rights that can no longer be tolerated, and measures must be put in place to ensure that older persons are adequately protected and can enjoy a dignified old age even when they become dependent on others for care and assistance.
We all know cases of older people abused and neglected, and these poor practices can be found in all EU countries and in all care settings, at home, in the community or in institutions. Some of these cases are examples of intentional abuse and neglect but the vast majority of them reflect just unintentional ‘bad care’ which affect the wellbeing and dignity of older vulnerable persons. However, many positive experiences and (real) success stories exist as well across Europe. Most of the time, carers - both formal and informal - are very devoted and go out of their way to provide the best care they can to the older person in need of assistance.
In our view the best way to prevent ‘bad care’ and elder abuse is by improving the quality of care and support we provide to older people in need of care and assistance. As part of the EU funded WeDO project, AGE and a group of partners from 12 countries, are developing a European Quality Framework for Long-Term Care which includes quality principles and recommendations for the implementation of these principles which are based on the European Charter of Rights and Responsibilities of older people in need of long-term care and assistance, developed in 2010. The European Quality Framework for Long-term care will be presented at the European Parliament in Brussels on 14 November 2012.
END
SOURCE: AGE Platform EU
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Cotter: Elder abuse not a 'private, family matter'
Just like with domestic violence, Berrien prosecutor says public's attitudes must be changed
By SCOTT AIKEN - H-P Staff Writer
June 15, 2012
ST. JOSEPH - Combating the growing problem of elder abuse will require changing public attitudes in a way similar to the shift that put domestic violence in the national spotlight, Berrien County Prosecutor Arthur Cotter said Thursday.
"We have to do a better job of reporting it and prosecuting it," Cotter told the county Board of Commissioners.
In many cases, friends or family members may suspect an older person is being physically abused, neglected of financially exploited, but they do not call authorities.
"With elder abuse, too often people think it's a private, family matter," Cotter said.
About a year ago the county formed a task force to increase public awareness of the problem and work toward solutions.
Also, the sheriff's department, the prosecutor's office and courts worked with the Area Agency on Aging, TRIAD (The Right Information and Direction, a group that works to prevent victimization of the elderly) and other organizations to develop a protocol for vulnerable adults. The protocol provides information on Adult Protective Services, interventions and a list of agencies and police departments to call to report suspected abuse.
Cotter's report coincided with today's designation as Worldwide Elder Abuse Awareness Day. A tree planting ceremony was to take place this morning at the River Valley Senior Center in Harbert.
Only a handful of people face criminal charges for elder abuse each year in Berrien County, Cotter said. Some offenses may not show up as elder abuse cases because the offenders are charged with domestic violence or other crimes.
"Even so, it's clear to me that this is being grossly under reported," Cotter said.
In a more detailed report to the county board's Administration Committee, Cotter said societal attitudes about domestic violence, where women are most often the victims, were changed through a concerted effort.
"Attitudes about domestic violence are such today that it is a crime against the state, and against the community, not just the victim," he said
Many instances of suspected elder abuse go unreported because people view it as private, or let it drop if one attempt to get information is stymied.
The task force is working with police and other first responders so that they know what steps to take when encountering suspected elderly abuse.
The Michigan House and Senate have passed a package of laws with tougher penalties for financial exploitation of the elderly and with help in prosecuting criminal cases. Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to sign the bills into law.
The laws would allow elderly crime victims certain allowances so they do not have to have face-to-face contact with accused abusers during court proceedings.
Also, an abuse complaint to police or protective services could be initiated by a person other than the victim.
County Commissioner Mac Elliott, who is a lawyer in private practice, said the problem of financial exploitation of the elderly appears to be growing.
In one case, a widow whose husband had set up a trust to provide for her was being exploited by a relative and a trust officer, he said.
The abusers went so far as to deny the woman medical care, Elliott said, but the complicated situation was eventually corrected only weeks before the victim died.
"I've had four of these cases, all involving some big bucks, in the past three years," Elliott said.
The new laws would set penalties for financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult at up to 10 years in prison for amounts ranging from $20,000 to $50,000, up to 15 years for $50,000 to $100,000, and up to 20 years for amounts over $100,000.
Under current law, the penalties are up to five years in prison for embezzlement from a vulnerable adult of $1,000 to $20,000 and up to 10 years for $20,000 or more.
SOURCE: TheHeraldPalladium
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Just like with domestic violence, Berrien prosecutor says public's attitudes must be changed
By SCOTT AIKEN - H-P Staff Writer
June 15, 2012
ST. JOSEPH - Combating the growing problem of elder abuse will require changing public attitudes in a way similar to the shift that put domestic violence in the national spotlight, Berrien County Prosecutor Arthur Cotter said Thursday.
"We have to do a better job of reporting it and prosecuting it," Cotter told the county Board of Commissioners.
In many cases, friends or family members may suspect an older person is being physically abused, neglected of financially exploited, but they do not call authorities.
"With elder abuse, too often people think it's a private, family matter," Cotter said.
About a year ago the county formed a task force to increase public awareness of the problem and work toward solutions.
Also, the sheriff's department, the prosecutor's office and courts worked with the Area Agency on Aging, TRIAD (The Right Information and Direction, a group that works to prevent victimization of the elderly) and other organizations to develop a protocol for vulnerable adults. The protocol provides information on Adult Protective Services, interventions and a list of agencies and police departments to call to report suspected abuse.
Cotter's report coincided with today's designation as Worldwide Elder Abuse Awareness Day. A tree planting ceremony was to take place this morning at the River Valley Senior Center in Harbert.
Only a handful of people face criminal charges for elder abuse each year in Berrien County, Cotter said. Some offenses may not show up as elder abuse cases because the offenders are charged with domestic violence or other crimes.
"Even so, it's clear to me that this is being grossly under reported," Cotter said.
In a more detailed report to the county board's Administration Committee, Cotter said societal attitudes about domestic violence, where women are most often the victims, were changed through a concerted effort.
"Attitudes about domestic violence are such today that it is a crime against the state, and against the community, not just the victim," he said
Many instances of suspected elder abuse go unreported because people view it as private, or let it drop if one attempt to get information is stymied.
The task force is working with police and other first responders so that they know what steps to take when encountering suspected elderly abuse.
The Michigan House and Senate have passed a package of laws with tougher penalties for financial exploitation of the elderly and with help in prosecuting criminal cases. Gov. Rick Snyder is expected to sign the bills into law.
The laws would allow elderly crime victims certain allowances so they do not have to have face-to-face contact with accused abusers during court proceedings.
Also, an abuse complaint to police or protective services could be initiated by a person other than the victim.
County Commissioner Mac Elliott, who is a lawyer in private practice, said the problem of financial exploitation of the elderly appears to be growing.
In one case, a widow whose husband had set up a trust to provide for her was being exploited by a relative and a trust officer, he said.
The abusers went so far as to deny the woman medical care, Elliott said, but the complicated situation was eventually corrected only weeks before the victim died.
"I've had four of these cases, all involving some big bucks, in the past three years," Elliott said.
The new laws would set penalties for financial exploitation of a vulnerable adult at up to 10 years in prison for amounts ranging from $20,000 to $50,000, up to 15 years for $50,000 to $100,000, and up to 20 years for amounts over $100,000.
Under current law, the penalties are up to five years in prison for embezzlement from a vulnerable adult of $1,000 to $20,000 and up to 10 years for $20,000 or more.
SOURCE: TheHeraldPalladium
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More Spotlight on Elder Abuse (AUSTRALIA)
Spotlight on Elder Abuse
June 13, 2012
Author: Bill Snaddon
A Victorian organisation is convening a forum to raise awareness about abuse suffered by senior citizens.
Seniors Rights Victoria, a government-funded body supporting elderly victims, is holding the forum to coincide with World Elder Abuse Day on June 15.
Manager of Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) Jenny Blakey said “we need to let older people in our community know they have the right to live with dignity and safety”.
“Abuse of older people is a hidden issue, often occurring behind closed doors between family members,” she said.
Blakey noted, however, that new services in Victoria are beginning to offer advocates - and seniors themselves - the opportunity to speak out against abuse.
“Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is often carried out by someone in a relationship of trust, such as families and friends.
“It may involve taking someone’s money or possessions, not providing necessary care, making threats or stopping an older person’s social contacts, as well as physical or sexual abuse.”
In 2009 the Victorian Government released a report outlining its stance on elder abuse, Elder abuse prevention with respect to age - practice guidelines for health services and community agencies for the prevention of elder abuse.
The report said that “the abuse of older people is not a new social problem, and there is no evidence overall that indicates abusive situations are becoming more prevalent. Abuse involving older people is a complex social problem which requires equally careful and considered responses".
Manager at SRV Jenny Blakey said that while the research is limited, "many older people are very reluctant to report abuse or to ask for help".
"There are many reasons for [the lack of research] including concerns about getting a family member into trouble and not knowing where to go for help."
The SRV forum is to be held at Victoria Univerity's city campaus and will discuss how elder abuse varies in different cultures.
The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day campaign will be launched tomorrow night by Attorney-General Robert Clark and Chief Justice Marilyn Warren at the Victorian Supreme Court Library, according to SRV spokeswomen Jackie Jenkins.
At the launch SRV are expected to release a new guide - Assets for Care: Guide for Lawyers - to assist the legal profession on matters of elder abuse.
It is understood the Government will be releasing a new strategy on elder abuse in the coming days, according to a SRV spokesperson
SOURCE: ProBonoAustralia
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June 13, 2012
Author: Bill Snaddon
A Victorian organisation is convening a forum to raise awareness about abuse suffered by senior citizens.
Seniors Rights Victoria, a government-funded body supporting elderly victims, is holding the forum to coincide with World Elder Abuse Day on June 15.
Manager of Seniors Rights Victoria (SRV) Jenny Blakey said “we need to let older people in our community know they have the right to live with dignity and safety”.
“Abuse of older people is a hidden issue, often occurring behind closed doors between family members,” she said.
Blakey noted, however, that new services in Victoria are beginning to offer advocates - and seniors themselves - the opportunity to speak out against abuse.
“Elder abuse is any act which causes harm to an older person and is often carried out by someone in a relationship of trust, such as families and friends.
“It may involve taking someone’s money or possessions, not providing necessary care, making threats or stopping an older person’s social contacts, as well as physical or sexual abuse.”
In 2009 the Victorian Government released a report outlining its stance on elder abuse, Elder abuse prevention with respect to age - practice guidelines for health services and community agencies for the prevention of elder abuse.
The report said that “the abuse of older people is not a new social problem, and there is no evidence overall that indicates abusive situations are becoming more prevalent. Abuse involving older people is a complex social problem which requires equally careful and considered responses".
Manager at SRV Jenny Blakey said that while the research is limited, "many older people are very reluctant to report abuse or to ask for help".
"There are many reasons for [the lack of research] including concerns about getting a family member into trouble and not knowing where to go for help."
The SRV forum is to be held at Victoria Univerity's city campaus and will discuss how elder abuse varies in different cultures.
The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day campaign will be launched tomorrow night by Attorney-General Robert Clark and Chief Justice Marilyn Warren at the Victorian Supreme Court Library, according to SRV spokeswomen Jackie Jenkins.
At the launch SRV are expected to release a new guide - Assets for Care: Guide for Lawyers - to assist the legal profession on matters of elder abuse.
It is understood the Government will be releasing a new strategy on elder abuse in the coming days, according to a SRV spokesperson
SOURCE: ProBonoAustralia
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June 18, 2012
Secret Shame as Elders Abused by Loved Ones
Secret shame as elders abused by loved ones
By Amy Remeikis
June 17, 2012
Often those guilty of elder abuse are members of their own family, making disclosure all the more difficult for the victim, writes Amy Remeikis.
It’s Australia’s secret shame, hidden in dark rooms or tucked in the back of an otherwise average family home.
It’s not comfortably spoken about in social situations and rarely covered in the nightly news.
But abuse against the elderly, or elder abuse, is occurring within Queensland families.
Senior social worker at the Caxton Legal Centre, Queensland’s longest running free legal advice service, Vivienne Campion, believes it is one of the nations’ last untouched social issues.
Advertisement: Story continues below
“If you look at the history of domestic violence, there has been a massive raising of public awareness about it, it is no longer hidden like it once was,” she said.
“I think elder abuse is heading in that direction, but it needs to be constantly highlighted. As with child abuse, there is a lot of shame around it, a lot of “Is this really happening to our grandparents?” and “Surely families wouldn’t do that” but it’s sad to say, that they do.”
As the coordinator of the centre’s Senior’s Legal and Support Service, Ms Campion and her team of five, made up of social workers and lawyers, are over run with cases of elder abuse in Brisbane and its surrounds.
The service offers both free legal and social assistance as well as helping with counselling and if needed, accommodation.
“We are never not busy,” she said.
In the past year, Ms Campion said the service dealt with 1500 elder abuse cases “and probably the same again in people just wanting advice”.
“I think we are dealing with the tip of the iceberg as most of it goes unreported and there are a lot of reasons for that," she said.
“The older person experiences a great deal of embarrassment, shame and humiliation about what is happening and the reason for that is because almost always, not always, but almost always, a family member, in particular an adult sons or daughters are the ones who are doing it.”
Ms Campion said elder abuse ranges from obvious physical abuse to social, psychological, sexual and financial “experienced by an older person who is in a relationship of trust or dependency with the abuser”.
Financial abuse is the most common, but Ms Campion said it is rarely the only form of abuse.
“It is almost never just a case of financial abuse,” she said.
“To enable the financial abuse to come about, there is almost always another pattern of abuse around it. It could be psychological or social and part of that tends to be isolating the older person from other family members who might work out what is going on, or they think they know what is going on but are prevented getting access to the older person (by the abuser).”
Financial abuse can start off simply. It could be failing to return the change after doing the grocery shopping, or taking the older person’s bank cards and accessing their account for their own use.
However it can progress to where adult children or other people in positions of trust ask their elderly parents or older person to loan them large amounts of money they don’t pay back, or convince them to sell their house and hand over the money in exchange for a granny flat or accommodation in the family home.
“They may tell them they will never have to worry about accommodation again, that they will look after them for the rest of their life and then they [the older person] are evicted,” Ms Campion said.
“We’ve had cases where they have literally been evicted out on the street with some of their pieces around them and nowhere to go.”
Ms Campion and the Caxton Legal Centre’s Senior’s Legal and Support Services, one of five such services across the state, said her team can only act if the elderly person themselves consents.
She said that can be a battle. By the time the service becomes involved, the abuse is either happening or has happened and the damage has been done.
“The harm has been done, the family is probably fractured and the family might never be the same again and the older person is left, not only with the financial loss, but all the grief and loss at a late stage of life with a family that may never be the same again.”
Stopping it however, could be as simple as shining a light on the issue.
“It really works on a coal face level,” she said.
“If the public recognises what is happening, they are much quicker to do something about it and the sooner they do something about it, the sooner it comes to our attention and the more quickly we can act.”
Friday was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and the Newman government announced a new awareness campaign targeting the issue.
Minister for Communities, Tracy Davis, said the Queensland Elder Abuse Helpline responded to almost 1000 reports of elder abuse between April 2011 and March 2012 but echoed Ms Campion’s belief that the true number of victims would be much higher.
Information about where to call or what to do has been sent to more than 5000 organisations across the state and posters highlighting the issue has been sent to GP offices.
“We have launched this campaign to raise awareness among the community of what elder abuse is, how to recognise it and what to do about it,” Ms Davis said.
The LNP has also promised to establish an independent public advocate to “monitor report and educate the community on the issue of elder abuse”.
Taking the concept one step further, award winning Brisbane photographer Gemma-Rose Turnbull recently worked with the Senior’s Legal and Support Service to document the stories of some of their clients, displaying her work at an exhibition designed to highlight the issue.
Ms Campion doesn’t shy away from the heartbreak associated with her work, but she believes the public silence needs to stop.
“Elder abuse is the last untouched area,” she said.
“The only effective ways to really combat it are education and consciousness raising, making the public aware of what is happening.”
If you need help or advice call the Caxton Legal Centre’s Senior’s Legal and Support Service on Tel: 07 3214 6333 or the Queensland Elder Abuse Helpline on 1300 651 192.
SOURCE: SMH.com.au
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By Amy Remeikis
June 17, 2012
Often those guilty of elder abuse are members of their own family, making disclosure all the more difficult for the victim, writes Amy Remeikis.
It’s Australia’s secret shame, hidden in dark rooms or tucked in the back of an otherwise average family home.
It’s not comfortably spoken about in social situations and rarely covered in the nightly news.
But abuse against the elderly, or elder abuse, is occurring within Queensland families.
Senior social worker at the Caxton Legal Centre, Queensland’s longest running free legal advice service, Vivienne Campion, believes it is one of the nations’ last untouched social issues.
Advertisement: Story continues below
“If you look at the history of domestic violence, there has been a massive raising of public awareness about it, it is no longer hidden like it once was,” she said.
“I think elder abuse is heading in that direction, but it needs to be constantly highlighted. As with child abuse, there is a lot of shame around it, a lot of “Is this really happening to our grandparents?” and “Surely families wouldn’t do that” but it’s sad to say, that they do.”
As the coordinator of the centre’s Senior’s Legal and Support Service, Ms Campion and her team of five, made up of social workers and lawyers, are over run with cases of elder abuse in Brisbane and its surrounds.
The service offers both free legal and social assistance as well as helping with counselling and if needed, accommodation.
“We are never not busy,” she said.
In the past year, Ms Campion said the service dealt with 1500 elder abuse cases “and probably the same again in people just wanting advice”.
“I think we are dealing with the tip of the iceberg as most of it goes unreported and there are a lot of reasons for that," she said.
“The older person experiences a great deal of embarrassment, shame and humiliation about what is happening and the reason for that is because almost always, not always, but almost always, a family member, in particular an adult sons or daughters are the ones who are doing it.”
Ms Campion said elder abuse ranges from obvious physical abuse to social, psychological, sexual and financial “experienced by an older person who is in a relationship of trust or dependency with the abuser”.
Financial abuse is the most common, but Ms Campion said it is rarely the only form of abuse.
“It is almost never just a case of financial abuse,” she said.
“To enable the financial abuse to come about, there is almost always another pattern of abuse around it. It could be psychological or social and part of that tends to be isolating the older person from other family members who might work out what is going on, or they think they know what is going on but are prevented getting access to the older person (by the abuser).”
Financial abuse can start off simply. It could be failing to return the change after doing the grocery shopping, or taking the older person’s bank cards and accessing their account for their own use.
However it can progress to where adult children or other people in positions of trust ask their elderly parents or older person to loan them large amounts of money they don’t pay back, or convince them to sell their house and hand over the money in exchange for a granny flat or accommodation in the family home.
“They may tell them they will never have to worry about accommodation again, that they will look after them for the rest of their life and then they [the older person] are evicted,” Ms Campion said.
“We’ve had cases where they have literally been evicted out on the street with some of their pieces around them and nowhere to go.”
Ms Campion and the Caxton Legal Centre’s Senior’s Legal and Support Services, one of five such services across the state, said her team can only act if the elderly person themselves consents.
She said that can be a battle. By the time the service becomes involved, the abuse is either happening or has happened and the damage has been done.
“The harm has been done, the family is probably fractured and the family might never be the same again and the older person is left, not only with the financial loss, but all the grief and loss at a late stage of life with a family that may never be the same again.”
Stopping it however, could be as simple as shining a light on the issue.
“It really works on a coal face level,” she said.
“If the public recognises what is happening, they are much quicker to do something about it and the sooner they do something about it, the sooner it comes to our attention and the more quickly we can act.”
Friday was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day and the Newman government announced a new awareness campaign targeting the issue.
Minister for Communities, Tracy Davis, said the Queensland Elder Abuse Helpline responded to almost 1000 reports of elder abuse between April 2011 and March 2012 but echoed Ms Campion’s belief that the true number of victims would be much higher.
Information about where to call or what to do has been sent to more than 5000 organisations across the state and posters highlighting the issue has been sent to GP offices.
“We have launched this campaign to raise awareness among the community of what elder abuse is, how to recognise it and what to do about it,” Ms Davis said.
The LNP has also promised to establish an independent public advocate to “monitor report and educate the community on the issue of elder abuse”.
Taking the concept one step further, award winning Brisbane photographer Gemma-Rose Turnbull recently worked with the Senior’s Legal and Support Service to document the stories of some of their clients, displaying her work at an exhibition designed to highlight the issue.
Ms Campion doesn’t shy away from the heartbreak associated with her work, but she believes the public silence needs to stop.
“Elder abuse is the last untouched area,” she said.
“The only effective ways to really combat it are education and consciousness raising, making the public aware of what is happening.”
If you need help or advice call the Caxton Legal Centre’s Senior’s Legal and Support Service on Tel: 07 3214 6333 or the Queensland Elder Abuse Helpline on 1300 651 192.
SOURCE: SMH.com.au
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Help Age: 31% of Senior Citizens Face Abuse in India
HelpAge India survey reveals disquieting facts
16 Jun 2012
By Shukti Sarma
According to the latest data released by HelpAge India, 31% of the elderly in the country face some form of abuse. Bhopal, apparently, is the worst offender, with and astounding 77.12% of the senior citizens living in the city facing abuse. The report was released on 15th June, which is marked as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
The other cities that have a high incidence of elderly abuse are : Guwahati(60.55%), followed by Lucknow(52%). Delhi has seen a significant rise in this area: with 29.8% senior citizens saying they have faced abuse; compared to 12% last year. In Mumbai, 29.46% seniors faced abuse while in Chennai 27.56% did.
The report says that of these victims, 75% live with their immediate families, and 69% own the homes they live in. Pan-India, it is seen that the abuse often comes from sources people trust: the abusers are sons in 56% of the cases, daughter-in-laws on 23% cases and 24% of the victims faced abuse on a daily basis.
Elderly women are more vulnerable to abuse than men. HelpAge India’s report shows that more than half of the senior citizens have been subjected to abuse for more than five years. Almost 44% of the elderly said that disrespect was the dominant form of abuse, and 30% said that they were faced with verbal abuse and neglect.
Only 45% of the senior citizens, who faced abuse, have reported it. For others, reporting their plight was not an option because it will bring infamy to the family name. However, in such cases, ‘reporting’ usually meant talking about it to a family member or a relative. Despite the existence of helplines, NGOs or legal authorities, the elderly did not seek any social or legal intervention.
SOURCE: BusinessReview India
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June 15, 2012
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, But .....
This year, there are many more government, ngos and others that have organised activities to highlight the Hidden Crime of the Century – Elder Abuse.
However, there are many more that have chosen to ignore this world-wide effort to spread the awareness of Elder Abuse.
There can never be a good reason to do that.
Look around. If your community, government or country ignore publicity on this issue, and the global effort to make a difference; it is time for you and others to act.
I would not be a bit surprised, if the media also, ignore the issue on this day.
Send text, Twit, your community leaders, members of parliament or congressman/woman or media outlets:
Why there is not awareness campaign in your country?
................. Andrew
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June 11, 2012
Jamie Demers: Elderly Especially Vulnerable to Sexual Abuse
Jamie Demers: Elderly especially vulnerable to sexual abuse
June 10, 2012
Sexual assault of older people? That doesn’t happen, does it?
June 15 is Elder Abuse Awareness Day and many local agencies will provide education, resources and basic safety tips about elder abuse.
A Senior Resource Fair is being held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 15, at SeniorsPlus to provide information on the different aspects of elder abuse, 7 Falcon Road, Lewiston. To register, call 795-4010.
Sexual Assault Crisis Center advocates will be present for any person who wants assistance with a situation of elder abuse.
It does. In fact people who are older may be at a higher risk for sexual assault. They may have impaired hearing, diminished physical strength, limited mobility and may rely on others to help care for their personal needs.
Some may have a disease that limits their ability to consent or which impairs their memory. These factors increase their vulnerability to a sexual assault, either from an unknown person or from someone they know.
People over the age of 60 account for 18 percent of sexual assault victims. Older rape victims are more often severely injured by the sexual assault and, according to the Bureau of Justice, 2.6 percent of rape victims over 60 were murdered during the rape.
It is also estimated that there are 3.5 million women nationally 60 years or older who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse (Farris, M & Gibson, JW). In the Maine Crime Victimization Report, 32.1 percent of females and 5.3 percent of males said that they had been a victim of rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. It is reasonable to assume that these percentages are also true for people who are elderly, since the measure is about a lifetime experience.
Despite these facts, only 30 percent of elder victims report sexual assaults to the police. Most sexual assaults of older people are unreported because the victim may feel shame, guilt and fear. Or, the assault may have been committed by a person close to the victim, or a person responsible for their care.
By reporting the crime, the elderly person may worry that they will upset their family and bring about serious consequences to a loved one or caregiver. If the assailant is a caregiver, the older person may fear that they will lose support for their independence and be moved to an assisted living or residential care facility.
For older people who were sexually abused as children, telling may be especially difficult. They were told they should just forget about it, or think that because it happened long ago, they should not bring it up. They may feel that they should be “over it,” even though they are still impacted by that experience. And, since there were no resources available for them when the abuse occurred, they have not had any opportunity to get help in dealing with its impact.
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services, known in Androscoggin County as the Sexual Assault Crisis Center, recognizes the difficulty for older survivors to access services and talk about sexual assault. For the past several years, a SACC advocate has reached out to people who are elderly to provide services in a safe, comfortable, low barrier way.
Currently, the SACC advocate provides weekly drop-in services at four different elderly housing complexes. This has helped many elderly people be able to talk about the abuse and begin the process of healing without leaving their comfort zones or having their families involved.
Knowing the challenges for an older person to report a sexual assault, SACC has also been offering trainings in collaboration with the Androscoggin Elder Abuse Task Force to help people identify and respond to possible indicators of elder abuse, including sexual assault. These trainings are free of charge and are available to any community organization or group that works or interacts with people who are elderly.
Sexual assault of older people? It does happen. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or is a victim of childhood sexual abuse and wants to talk about it, please contact the Sexual Assault Crisis Center at 207-784-5272 or call the 24 hour hotline at 1-800-871-7741.
Jamie Demers is the SACC outreach coordinator for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services.
SOURCE: The Sun Journal
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June 10, 2012
Sexual assault of older people? That doesn’t happen, does it?
June 15 is Elder Abuse Awareness Day and many local agencies will provide education, resources and basic safety tips about elder abuse.
A Senior Resource Fair is being held from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday, June 15, at SeniorsPlus to provide information on the different aspects of elder abuse, 7 Falcon Road, Lewiston. To register, call 795-4010.
Sexual Assault Crisis Center advocates will be present for any person who wants assistance with a situation of elder abuse.
It does. In fact people who are older may be at a higher risk for sexual assault. They may have impaired hearing, diminished physical strength, limited mobility and may rely on others to help care for their personal needs.
Some may have a disease that limits their ability to consent or which impairs their memory. These factors increase their vulnerability to a sexual assault, either from an unknown person or from someone they know.
People over the age of 60 account for 18 percent of sexual assault victims. Older rape victims are more often severely injured by the sexual assault and, according to the Bureau of Justice, 2.6 percent of rape victims over 60 were murdered during the rape.
It is also estimated that there are 3.5 million women nationally 60 years or older who are survivors of childhood sexual abuse (Farris, M & Gibson, JW). In the Maine Crime Victimization Report, 32.1 percent of females and 5.3 percent of males said that they had been a victim of rape or attempted rape in their lifetime. It is reasonable to assume that these percentages are also true for people who are elderly, since the measure is about a lifetime experience.
Despite these facts, only 30 percent of elder victims report sexual assaults to the police. Most sexual assaults of older people are unreported because the victim may feel shame, guilt and fear. Or, the assault may have been committed by a person close to the victim, or a person responsible for their care.
By reporting the crime, the elderly person may worry that they will upset their family and bring about serious consequences to a loved one or caregiver. If the assailant is a caregiver, the older person may fear that they will lose support for their independence and be moved to an assisted living or residential care facility.
For older people who were sexually abused as children, telling may be especially difficult. They were told they should just forget about it, or think that because it happened long ago, they should not bring it up. They may feel that they should be “over it,” even though they are still impacted by that experience. And, since there were no resources available for them when the abuse occurred, they have not had any opportunity to get help in dealing with its impact.
Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services, known in Androscoggin County as the Sexual Assault Crisis Center, recognizes the difficulty for older survivors to access services and talk about sexual assault. For the past several years, a SACC advocate has reached out to people who are elderly to provide services in a safe, comfortable, low barrier way.
Currently, the SACC advocate provides weekly drop-in services at four different elderly housing complexes. This has helped many elderly people be able to talk about the abuse and begin the process of healing without leaving their comfort zones or having their families involved.
Knowing the challenges for an older person to report a sexual assault, SACC has also been offering trainings in collaboration with the Androscoggin Elder Abuse Task Force to help people identify and respond to possible indicators of elder abuse, including sexual assault. These trainings are free of charge and are available to any community organization or group that works or interacts with people who are elderly.
Sexual assault of older people? It does happen. If you or someone you know has experienced sexual assault or is a victim of childhood sexual abuse and wants to talk about it, please contact the Sexual Assault Crisis Center at 207-784-5272 or call the 24 hour hotline at 1-800-871-7741.
Jamie Demers is the SACC outreach coordinator for Sexual Assault Prevention and Response Services.
SOURCE: The Sun Journal
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Fundraiser for Identity Theft Awareness
By Schuyler Budde
Jun 9, 2012
BILLINGS - According to the Bureau of Justice, more then one million people over the age of 65 were targeted by identity thieves in 2011.
The Partners in Elder Protection and Montana Mobile Document Shredding held a fundraiser on Saturday in an effort to reverse those statistics. Their mission is to increase awareness of elder abuse in Billings. The event gave the community an opportunity to shred outdated, sensitive, and confidential documents.
"We know that people dig through dumpsters, we know that people dig through trash. The criminal element will do that looking for your personal identifiers. That's why it is important, no matter what your age, especially the elderly, which are a vulnerable group, to make sure they shred their documents so that they're not taken advantage of," said Jessica Fehr, Assistant U.S. Attorney.
SOURCE: KULR8
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By Schuyler Budde
Jun 9, 2012
BILLINGS - According to the Bureau of Justice, more then one million people over the age of 65 were targeted by identity thieves in 2011.
The Partners in Elder Protection and Montana Mobile Document Shredding held a fundraiser on Saturday in an effort to reverse those statistics. Their mission is to increase awareness of elder abuse in Billings. The event gave the community an opportunity to shred outdated, sensitive, and confidential documents.
"We know that people dig through dumpsters, we know that people dig through trash. The criminal element will do that looking for your personal identifiers. That's why it is important, no matter what your age, especially the elderly, which are a vulnerable group, to make sure they shred their documents so that they're not taken advantage of," said Jessica Fehr, Assistant U.S. Attorney.
SOURCE: KULR8
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Fullerton Man Charged in Ponzi Scheme Targeting Elderlly
Fullerton man charged in Ponzi scheme targeting elderly
Michael Z. Zuniga and an associate bilked 18 victims out of nearly $700,000.
June 9, 2012
By SCOTT MARTINDALE / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A Fullerton man has been arrested on charges he co-ran a $1.3 million real estate fraud scheme targeting Latino investors, many of whom were elderly, authorities announced Friday.
Michael Z. Zuniga, 41, was taken into custody earlier this month on multiple counts of grand theft, elder abuse and securities fraud in connection with an alleged Ponzi scheme, state officials said. His bail was set at $50,000.
Zuniga and his business partner, Edwin G. Salazar, 34, of Downey, are accused of bilking 18 people out of nearly $700,000 in funds over an 18-month period. The pair used the funds for personal uses, authorities said.
Between January 2007 and June 2008, the licensed insurance agents, operating as Omega Investment Group of Downey, issued more than $1.3 million in fraudulent securities, authorities said.
"The investor gave them money, and they issued to the investor a security, but it was a false security and there was nothing to back it up," state Department of Justice spokeswoman Lynda Gledhill said Saturday.
Authorities said the investors, who were often senior citizens, were convinced to refinance their homes and take out money to invest in Omega.
Zuniga and Salazar allegedly promised the investors a guaranteed 15 percent return on investment, claiming it was "risk-free" because of Omega's strong track record of buying and selling homes in foreclosure, authorities said.
But in classic Ponzi fashion, the pair used new investments to pay off previous investors, authorities said.
"What victims thought was a resourceful real estate investment only brought them losses and heartbreak," state Attorney General Kamala D. Harris said in a statement.
Gledhill said Omega has since been shut down, but the investigation is ongoing.
– City News Service contributed to this report.
SOURCE: The OrangeCountyRegister
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Michael Z. Zuniga and an associate bilked 18 victims out of nearly $700,000.
June 9, 2012
By SCOTT MARTINDALE / THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER
A Fullerton man has been arrested on charges he co-ran a $1.3 million real estate fraud scheme targeting Latino investors, many of whom were elderly, authorities announced Friday.
Michael Z. Zuniga, 41, was taken into custody earlier this month on multiple counts of grand theft, elder abuse and securities fraud in connection with an alleged Ponzi scheme, state officials said. His bail was set at $50,000.
Zuniga and his business partner, Edwin G. Salazar, 34, of Downey, are accused of bilking 18 people out of nearly $700,000 in funds over an 18-month period. The pair used the funds for personal uses, authorities said.
Between January 2007 and June 2008, the licensed insurance agents, operating as Omega Investment Group of Downey, issued more than $1.3 million in fraudulent securities, authorities said.
"The investor gave them money, and they issued to the investor a security, but it was a false security and there was nothing to back it up," state Department of Justice spokeswoman Lynda Gledhill said Saturday.
Authorities said the investors, who were often senior citizens, were convinced to refinance their homes and take out money to invest in Omega.
Zuniga and Salazar allegedly promised the investors a guaranteed 15 percent return on investment, claiming it was "risk-free" because of Omega's strong track record of buying and selling homes in foreclosure, authorities said.
But in classic Ponzi fashion, the pair used new investments to pay off previous investors, authorities said.
"What victims thought was a resourceful real estate investment only brought them losses and heartbreak," state Attorney General Kamala D. Harris said in a statement.
Gledhill said Omega has since been shut down, but the investigation is ongoing.
– City News Service contributed to this report.
SOURCE: The OrangeCountyRegister
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Elder Abuse: Shedding Light n Society's Shadowy Shame (CANADA)
Edmonton Journal
June 8, 2012
Edmontonians have shown great courage and generosity in assisting the needy when crises arise like the Slave Lake fire in 2011. We have shown that we care and know what to do in these situations.
But when faced with cases of abuse, we have less knowledge and seem less committed to dealing with the problem.
We can get stuck on the idea it is a family matter and we have no right to intervene. Or we might think that if we do step in, it could make the abuse worse.
But like the damage caused by an unchecked wildfire, the fallout from elder abuse will only continue if we fail to act. We need to realize that elder abuse is a community issue, just as we as a society are working toward this realization with spousal and child abuse.
As a society we have grown more accustomed to talking about personal problems. But we still find it difficult to talk about abuses perpetrated on us by our own family. Just as we take pride in our children's successes, we somehow see our own flaws in our children's failures.
Although many agencies have emerged in the past 15 years to deal with this complex social issue, many cases of abuse remain undisclosed and untreated.
Seniors can suffer from depression, anxiety and fear, as well as physical injuries. Living with abuse can be overwhelming.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is on June 15. If we don't become more aware of elder abuse, it is only going to escalate as our population ages. It impacts how we all live, not just as families but as a community.
As a neighbour, friend or family member, become alert to elder abuse and give seniors the support they need to get help.
The Seniors Abuse Help Line is 780-454-8888.
Pat Power, social worker, Edmonton Elder Abuse Intervention Team
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
SOURCE: The Edmonton Journal
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June 8, 2012
Edmontonians have shown great courage and generosity in assisting the needy when crises arise like the Slave Lake fire in 2011. We have shown that we care and know what to do in these situations.
But when faced with cases of abuse, we have less knowledge and seem less committed to dealing with the problem.
We can get stuck on the idea it is a family matter and we have no right to intervene. Or we might think that if we do step in, it could make the abuse worse.
But like the damage caused by an unchecked wildfire, the fallout from elder abuse will only continue if we fail to act. We need to realize that elder abuse is a community issue, just as we as a society are working toward this realization with spousal and child abuse.
As a society we have grown more accustomed to talking about personal problems. But we still find it difficult to talk about abuses perpetrated on us by our own family. Just as we take pride in our children's successes, we somehow see our own flaws in our children's failures.
Although many agencies have emerged in the past 15 years to deal with this complex social issue, many cases of abuse remain undisclosed and untreated.
Seniors can suffer from depression, anxiety and fear, as well as physical injuries. Living with abuse can be overwhelming.
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is on June 15. If we don't become more aware of elder abuse, it is only going to escalate as our population ages. It impacts how we all live, not just as families but as a community.
As a neighbour, friend or family member, become alert to elder abuse and give seniors the support they need to get help.
The Seniors Abuse Help Line is 780-454-8888.
Pat Power, social worker, Edmonton Elder Abuse Intervention Team
© Copyright (c) The Edmonton Journal
SOURCE: The Edmonton Journal
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Elder Abuse and Neglect
Elder abuse is an under recognized problem with devastating and even life threatening consequences.
Every day, seniors across this country are being abused, neglected, and exploited; often by people they trust the most. Abusers may be spouses, family members, personal acquaintances, professionals in positions of trust; or opportunistic strangers who prey on the vulnerable. And this abuse tends to take place where the senior lives: in their own homes, in relatives’ homes, and even in facilities responsible for their care.
Over a half a million cases of abuse against senior Americans are reported to authorities each year and officials estimate that millions more go unreported. No one is immune: It can happen to any older individual – your neighbor, your loved one - it can even happen to you.
According to Missouri law, elder abuse is the infliction of physical, sexual, or emotional injury or harm including financial exploitation by any person, firm or corporation upon any person sixty years of age or older, or any adult with a disability between the ages of eighteen and fifty-nine, who is unable to protect his or her own interests or adequately perform or obtain services which are necessary to meet his or her essential human needs. (Section 660.053, 660.250 RSMo)
What Should I Look For?
Abuse of elders can manifest itself in many different ways. At first, one may be reluctant to take seriously the abuse of a senior by accepting any indicators as signs of dementia or frailty. While it is true that mental deterioration often accompanies aging, if you suspect abuse, even on the smallest scale, trust your instincts and watch for the signs below.
General signs of abuse
In general, elder abuse may produce:
• Frequent arguments or tension between the caregiver and the elderly person
• Changes in personality or behavior in the elder
Or specifically:
Physical abuse
Physical elder abuse is intentional use of force against an elderly person that results in physical pain, injury, or impairment.
• slap marks
• unexplained bruises
• most pressure marks
• signs of being restrained
• certain types of burns or blisters, such as cigarette burns
Emotional abuse
Persons who are causing emotional strain on seniors may speak or treat elderly persons in ways that cause significant distress by using intimidation through yelling or threats, humiliation through ridicule, or habitual blaming or scapegoating. Non-verbal psychological stress could result from ignoring the elderly person, isolating the senior from friends or activities, or terrorizing the elderly person.
If you suspect a senior is being emotionally abused, watch for the following signs:
• withdrawal from normal activities
• unexplained changes in alertness
• signs that mimic dementia like rocking, sucking or mumbling to oneself
• other unusual behavioral changes
Sexual abuse
In regards to elders, sexual abuse is any form of sexual contact with a senior without the senior’s consent. The contact is not limited to physical sexual acts, but may include activities such as showing an elderly person pornographic material, forcing the senior to watch overt sexual acts, or making the elder undress for the purpose of viewing.
If the senior is a resident of a skilled nursing facility, consent of the victim is not a defense to a prosecution. (Section 565.200 RSMo)
Warning signs of sexual abuse may include:
• bruising around the breasts
• bruising or bleeding around the genital areas
• unexplained sexually transmitted diseases
• torn, stained or bloody undergarments
In Missouri, contact:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Phone: 573-751-4842
Elder Abuse and Neglect Hotline 800-392-0210
TDD 800-669-8819 or through Relay Missouri 800-676-3777
Email: info@health.mo.gov
(Please visit SOURCE for the full article)
Abridged
SOURCE: CopeOfLebanon
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Every day, seniors across this country are being abused, neglected, and exploited; often by people they trust the most. Abusers may be spouses, family members, personal acquaintances, professionals in positions of trust; or opportunistic strangers who prey on the vulnerable. And this abuse tends to take place where the senior lives: in their own homes, in relatives’ homes, and even in facilities responsible for their care.
Over a half a million cases of abuse against senior Americans are reported to authorities each year and officials estimate that millions more go unreported. No one is immune: It can happen to any older individual – your neighbor, your loved one - it can even happen to you.
According to Missouri law, elder abuse is the infliction of physical, sexual, or emotional injury or harm including financial exploitation by any person, firm or corporation upon any person sixty years of age or older, or any adult with a disability between the ages of eighteen and fifty-nine, who is unable to protect his or her own interests or adequately perform or obtain services which are necessary to meet his or her essential human needs. (Section 660.053, 660.250 RSMo)
What Should I Look For?
Abuse of elders can manifest itself in many different ways. At first, one may be reluctant to take seriously the abuse of a senior by accepting any indicators as signs of dementia or frailty. While it is true that mental deterioration often accompanies aging, if you suspect abuse, even on the smallest scale, trust your instincts and watch for the signs below.
General signs of abuse
In general, elder abuse may produce:
• Frequent arguments or tension between the caregiver and the elderly person
• Changes in personality or behavior in the elder
Or specifically:
Physical abuse
Physical elder abuse is intentional use of force against an elderly person that results in physical pain, injury, or impairment.
• slap marks
• unexplained bruises
• most pressure marks
• signs of being restrained
• certain types of burns or blisters, such as cigarette burns
Emotional abuse
Persons who are causing emotional strain on seniors may speak or treat elderly persons in ways that cause significant distress by using intimidation through yelling or threats, humiliation through ridicule, or habitual blaming or scapegoating. Non-verbal psychological stress could result from ignoring the elderly person, isolating the senior from friends or activities, or terrorizing the elderly person.
If you suspect a senior is being emotionally abused, watch for the following signs:
• withdrawal from normal activities
• unexplained changes in alertness
• signs that mimic dementia like rocking, sucking or mumbling to oneself
• other unusual behavioral changes
Sexual abuse
In regards to elders, sexual abuse is any form of sexual contact with a senior without the senior’s consent. The contact is not limited to physical sexual acts, but may include activities such as showing an elderly person pornographic material, forcing the senior to watch overt sexual acts, or making the elder undress for the purpose of viewing.
If the senior is a resident of a skilled nursing facility, consent of the victim is not a defense to a prosecution. (Section 565.200 RSMo)
Warning signs of sexual abuse may include:
• bruising around the breasts
• bruising or bleeding around the genital areas
• unexplained sexually transmitted diseases
• torn, stained or bloody undergarments
In Missouri, contact:
Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
PO Box 570
Jefferson City, MO 65102-0570
Phone: 573-751-4842
Elder Abuse and Neglect Hotline 800-392-0210
TDD 800-669-8819 or through Relay Missouri 800-676-3777
Email: info@health.mo.gov
(Please visit SOURCE for the full article)
Abridged
SOURCE: CopeOfLebanon
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Awareness of Elder Abuse (UK)
Awareness of abuse
7th June 2012
THE Vale Older People’s Strategy Forum will be hosting an event in the Library, King Square, Barry, on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, on Friday, June 15, from 9.15am-3pm.
The newly appointed Older Peoples Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira will be visiting the event at 10.15am.
You will be able to get information on how to recognise Elder Abuse. Other information stalls will include Atal-Y-Fro, Community Safety, Cardiff Women’s Aid, AdvantAGE scheme, Vale Volunteer Bureau, TeleV, Supported Housing and housing benefits.
Come along and meet your local older people’s strategy forum representatives.
Jane Weldon Executive Member Vale OPSF
SOURCE: The BarryAndDistrict News
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7th June 2012
THE Vale Older People’s Strategy Forum will be hosting an event in the Library, King Square, Barry, on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, on Friday, June 15, from 9.15am-3pm.
The newly appointed Older Peoples Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira will be visiting the event at 10.15am.
You will be able to get information on how to recognise Elder Abuse. Other information stalls will include Atal-Y-Fro, Community Safety, Cardiff Women’s Aid, AdvantAGE scheme, Vale Volunteer Bureau, TeleV, Supported Housing and housing benefits.
Come along and meet your local older people’s strategy forum representatives.
Jane Weldon Executive Member Vale OPSF
SOURCE: The BarryAndDistrict News
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Avoiding Home Improvement Scams (NY. USA)
Avoiding home improvement scams
“The Informed Consumer”
By Press Release
Bath Courier
Jun 07, 2012
Bath, NY —
With the arrival of spring many homeowners are beginning to contemplate home improvement projects. Whether you are planning a large scale renovation or a small improvement make sure you hire a trustworthy, reliable and skilled contractor to help you achieve your goals. Be wary of potential scam artists showing up at your door and offering discounted services. Remember, if an offer seems too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.
To ensure a pleasant home improvement experience, follow these helpful tips from the New York Department of State, Division of Consumer Protection:
First, ask your local building inspector if home improvement contractors are required to obtain a license. Certain counties require home improvement contractors to attain a license prior to performing work. In addition, all contractors, regardless of location must carry proof of insurance coverage.
Second, get written cost estimates. Get at least three bids in writing and compare based on the same warranty, specifications, labor and time.
Third, ask for references. Once you have narrowed down your potential list of contractors, make sure to ask for a list of local references and previous projects completed.
Fourth, insist on a detailed contract and get everything in writing. Never allow work to begin without a signed contract that includes start and completion dates, exact costs, a statement of work to be done and warranty information.
For more information about avoiding home improvement scams, or to file a consumer complaint visit dos.ny.gov.
This article was sponsored by New York Department of State, AARP, the Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse Prevention at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale, NY State Office for the Aging (SOFA) and the Free Community Papers of New York.
SOURCE: The Steuben Courier
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“The Informed Consumer”
By Press Release
Bath Courier
Jun 07, 2012
Bath, NY —
With the arrival of spring many homeowners are beginning to contemplate home improvement projects. Whether you are planning a large scale renovation or a small improvement make sure you hire a trustworthy, reliable and skilled contractor to help you achieve your goals. Be wary of potential scam artists showing up at your door and offering discounted services. Remember, if an offer seems too good to be true, it’s likely a scam.
To ensure a pleasant home improvement experience, follow these helpful tips from the New York Department of State, Division of Consumer Protection:
First, ask your local building inspector if home improvement contractors are required to obtain a license. Certain counties require home improvement contractors to attain a license prior to performing work. In addition, all contractors, regardless of location must carry proof of insurance coverage.
Second, get written cost estimates. Get at least three bids in writing and compare based on the same warranty, specifications, labor and time.
Third, ask for references. Once you have narrowed down your potential list of contractors, make sure to ask for a list of local references and previous projects completed.
Fourth, insist on a detailed contract and get everything in writing. Never allow work to begin without a signed contract that includes start and completion dates, exact costs, a statement of work to be done and warranty information.
For more information about avoiding home improvement scams, or to file a consumer complaint visit dos.ny.gov.
This article was sponsored by New York Department of State, AARP, the Harry and Jeannette Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse Prevention at the Hebrew Home at Riverdale, NY State Office for the Aging (SOFA) and the Free Community Papers of New York.
SOURCE: The Steuben Courier
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June 9, 2012
World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD)
15/06/2012 - 15/06/2012
© Julia Freeman Woolpert | SXC
Worldwide - June 15th 2012
The World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) happens each year on June 15th. It was officially recognized by the United Nations General Assembly in December 2011, following a request by the International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (INPEA), who first established the commemoration in June 2006.
It represents the one day in the year when the whole world voices its opposition to the abuse and suffering inflicted to some of our older generations.
Elder Abuse is a global social issue which affects the Health and Human Rights of millions of older persons around the world, and an issue which deserves the attention of the international community.
Individuals, communities, municipalities and organisations come together and hold events to raise awareness of elder abuse on June 15th. As in previous years, many activities will be held in 2012, hoping to bring greater recognition of the mistreatment of older adults wherever they live throughout the world and to highlight the need for appropriate action.
More information on Elder Abuse available at:
• The European Reference framework Online for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and Neglect
• The World Health Organisation
• WeDO: Wellbeing and Dignity for Older people (AGE Platform Europe)
• Action on Elder Abuse (UK)
• Adresa: Worldwide
SOURCE: EUROPA.Eu
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June 7, 2012
Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15
Jun. 6, 2012
COSHOCTON -- Elder Abuse is becoming a growing problem in
the U.S. with only one out of five incidences of elder abuse being reported. In
2011, Ohio received a total of 14,976 reports of elder abuse, neglect or
exploitation.
Some of the areas of abuse to be aware of are physical,
sexual and emotional abuse, exploitation and neglect. Warning signs include
unexplained worsening of medical condition, unexplained injuries, malnutrition,
lack of proper hygiene, extreme withdrawal, paranoia, depression or confusion.
If you know an individual age 59 or older who is being
abused or neglected, call the Coshocton County Job and Family Services at (740)
622-1020. JFS is responsible for investigating reported cases of elder abuse
and neglect, as well as providing victims and their families with protective
services.
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Linda Pearce - The Plight of the Elderly
Linda Pearce - The plight of the elderly
By Linda Pearce
June 6, 2012
For the StarNews
Those of us in the business of providing care for the elderly in our community are not shocked by recent articles about elder abuse and neglect. We have several epidemics in our country, but one not often talked about is the plight of the elderly among us.
Growing old can be a challenge at best. The most fortunate elderly have a loving family who dote on them; take them into their homes, if necessary, and provide care as long as it is needed.
For many people, it doesn't quite work that way. Our society is designed for those who can keep up. If anything happens in your life – physically, mentally or economically – to change your norm, you're apt to be in big trouble. To have support from within the family is utopia, but to navigate the system by oneself challenges even those of us who think we know the system.
Neglect becomes a constant companion as many older people try to fend for themselves, often with a diminished mental capacity. With adult children living long distances away, neighbors not knowing each other and churches expected to do more and more with less funds coming in from their congregations, the situation becomes fairly predictable – sometimes with deadly consequences.
Our region has historically been fairly progressive with fine senior centers, adult day care, congregate meal sites, a strong – albeit insufficient – Meals on Wheels program, all kinds of facilities of long term care, elderly ombudsmen, housing for the elderly and a strong volunteer community to provide the extra hands that a family needs. With all of this, caregivers still struggle under the weight of care for their love ones.
Our decision-makers in the state need to realize the very real consequences of making decisions based solely on fiscal deficits. We must be creative in finding ways to support businesses and nonprofits that are helping the most vulnerable among us. There is no easy fix, but trying to connect elderly persons who have issues with programs that can help is a start.
Elderhaus' board grabbed an opportunity to be one of four pilots in the state that allows caregivers to get a much-needed break by reserving an overnight bed, in advance, for their elderly relative. The senior may stay up to 14 nights at a time to allow caregivers to replenish themselves or to get away for a vacation for themselves which, ultimately, results in better care for their loved ones.
Caregivers who need temporary breaks may avail themselves of this unique opportunity. This opportunity also addresses what one does with their loved one if the caregivers, themselves, are ill or need a short overnight hospital stay. This can send a family in a tailspin which often spells neglect for the elderly family member who is faced with caring for himself or herself short-term.
I hope families will see that caring for their elderly loved ones does not have to mean they have to give up all their time and energy. If you are a caregiver, share your needs so that other family members, friends, neighbors, churches and organizations may attempt to fill them.
Folks just need to know how to help. Be specific and you'll be surprised how many are willing to help.
It is my hope that all of us who know families who are struggling in their caring for the elderly will stretch just a little and do what we can to help these unsung heroes in our communities.
Our country's track record is dismal when compared to many other countries in the world. We need to do better. Thank you to all who volunteer, minister, serve on boards, give donations and support all of us. We do need and appreciate it. Come on. We can do this, people!
Linda Pearce is founder and executive director of Elderhaus, an adult day care program.
SOURCE: The StarNewsOnline
____________________________________
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By Linda Pearce
June 6, 2012
For the StarNews
Those of us in the business of providing care for the elderly in our community are not shocked by recent articles about elder abuse and neglect. We have several epidemics in our country, but one not often talked about is the plight of the elderly among us.
Growing old can be a challenge at best. The most fortunate elderly have a loving family who dote on them; take them into their homes, if necessary, and provide care as long as it is needed.
For many people, it doesn't quite work that way. Our society is designed for those who can keep up. If anything happens in your life – physically, mentally or economically – to change your norm, you're apt to be in big trouble. To have support from within the family is utopia, but to navigate the system by oneself challenges even those of us who think we know the system.
Neglect becomes a constant companion as many older people try to fend for themselves, often with a diminished mental capacity. With adult children living long distances away, neighbors not knowing each other and churches expected to do more and more with less funds coming in from their congregations, the situation becomes fairly predictable – sometimes with deadly consequences.
Our region has historically been fairly progressive with fine senior centers, adult day care, congregate meal sites, a strong – albeit insufficient – Meals on Wheels program, all kinds of facilities of long term care, elderly ombudsmen, housing for the elderly and a strong volunteer community to provide the extra hands that a family needs. With all of this, caregivers still struggle under the weight of care for their love ones.
Our decision-makers in the state need to realize the very real consequences of making decisions based solely on fiscal deficits. We must be creative in finding ways to support businesses and nonprofits that are helping the most vulnerable among us. There is no easy fix, but trying to connect elderly persons who have issues with programs that can help is a start.
Elderhaus' board grabbed an opportunity to be one of four pilots in the state that allows caregivers to get a much-needed break by reserving an overnight bed, in advance, for their elderly relative. The senior may stay up to 14 nights at a time to allow caregivers to replenish themselves or to get away for a vacation for themselves which, ultimately, results in better care for their loved ones.
Caregivers who need temporary breaks may avail themselves of this unique opportunity. This opportunity also addresses what one does with their loved one if the caregivers, themselves, are ill or need a short overnight hospital stay. This can send a family in a tailspin which often spells neglect for the elderly family member who is faced with caring for himself or herself short-term.
I hope families will see that caring for their elderly loved ones does not have to mean they have to give up all their time and energy. If you are a caregiver, share your needs so that other family members, friends, neighbors, churches and organizations may attempt to fill them.
Folks just need to know how to help. Be specific and you'll be surprised how many are willing to help.
It is my hope that all of us who know families who are struggling in their caring for the elderly will stretch just a little and do what we can to help these unsung heroes in our communities.
Our country's track record is dismal when compared to many other countries in the world. We need to do better. Thank you to all who volunteer, minister, serve on boards, give donations and support all of us. We do need and appreciate it. Come on. We can do this, people!
Linda Pearce is founder and executive director of Elderhaus, an adult day care program.
SOURCE: The StarNewsOnline
____________________________________
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