Marie Mortera reporting
Updated: April 29, 2008
A mother and son accused of leaving a grandmother in horrible conditions appeared before a judge on Monday. It was the first day in court for Jacqueline and Alex Burt.
They were arrested last week, after police found 86-year-old Rosemary Burt covered in filth and sores. This case has caught a lot of attention, not just because of the disturbing details, but because it comes just as the Attorney General's Office is pushing a new department which is aimed at going after elder abusers.
As Jacqueline and Alex Burt wait for their next court date, John Kelleher with the Elder Abuse Unit is thinking about how this case is just part of an overwhelming problem, one that has Clark County investigating about a thousand cases each year.
That's why the legislature created the Elder Abuse Unit, or EAU, in late 2007. Run out of the District Attorney's Office, the four person team will go after people behind abuse and exploitation.
Jacqueline and Alex Burt will go before a judge again on May 12. That's when we'll find out if there's enough evidence to go to trial.
Abridged
SOURCE: KVBC
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April 30, 2008
Elder Care EU: Long-Term Care Services Expected to Rise (EU)
Demands for quality and quantity of long-term care services bound to rise, says EU report
Reference: IP/08/651
Date: 28/04/2008
Brussels, 28 April 2008
Demands for quality and quantity of long-term care services bound to rise, says EU report
The demands for and costs of long-term care provision in the EU will rise significantly by 2050, according to a new report presented by the European Commission today.
Meanwhile, the vast majority of Europeans (almost nine out of ten) favour home- or community-based care over care in an institutional setting. The projected growth in demand for long-term care services presents a major challenge for national governments. But the report also shows that Member States are striving to guarantee access for all to quality care by providing adequate resources to meet this demand. The report will be discussed at a conference on intergenerational solidarity organised by the Slovenian EU Presidency on 28-29 April in Brdo, Slovenia.
"This report reveals the challenges of long term care in the future. It also shows that Member States are already preparing a wide variety of solutions. And there is also strong commitment at European level to provide access to quality care for all. I am convinced that working together at European level gives Member States a unique added value and helps them to improve care for our vulnerable citizens by co-ordinating strategies and setting common objectives", said Social Affairs Commissioner Vladimír Špidla. He added: "We should not close our eyes to reality but act now to ensure high-quality long-term care now and for the future."
The Commission's report – 'Long-term Care in the European Union' – analyses the main challenges Member States face in the field of long-term care, their strategies for tackling them and presents possible solutions. It draws on the national reports submitted as part of the EU's system of common objectives, assessment and reporting for social protection and inclusion – the 'Open Method of Coordination'.
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Reference: IP/08/651
Date: 28/04/2008
Brussels, 28 April 2008
Demands for quality and quantity of long-term care services bound to rise, says EU report
The demands for and costs of long-term care provision in the EU will rise significantly by 2050, according to a new report presented by the European Commission today.
Meanwhile, the vast majority of Europeans (almost nine out of ten) favour home- or community-based care over care in an institutional setting. The projected growth in demand for long-term care services presents a major challenge for national governments. But the report also shows that Member States are striving to guarantee access for all to quality care by providing adequate resources to meet this demand. The report will be discussed at a conference on intergenerational solidarity organised by the Slovenian EU Presidency on 28-29 April in Brdo, Slovenia.
"This report reveals the challenges of long term care in the future. It also shows that Member States are already preparing a wide variety of solutions. And there is also strong commitment at European level to provide access to quality care for all. I am convinced that working together at European level gives Member States a unique added value and helps them to improve care for our vulnerable citizens by co-ordinating strategies and setting common objectives", said Social Affairs Commissioner Vladimír Špidla. He added: "We should not close our eyes to reality but act now to ensure high-quality long-term care now and for the future."
The Commission's report – 'Long-term Care in the European Union' – analyses the main challenges Member States face in the field of long-term care, their strategies for tackling them and presents possible solutions. It draws on the national reports submitted as part of the EU's system of common objectives, assessment and reporting for social protection and inclusion – the 'Open Method of Coordination'.
- It identifies the main challenges for national governments as:
- Ensuring access for all to long-term care services;
- Securing financing for long-term care through an adequate mix of public and private sources of finance and potential changes in the financing mechanisms;
- Improving coordination between social and medical services, often involved in the provision of long-term care services;
- Promoting home or community-based care rather than institutional care to help dependent people remain in their own homes for as long as possible;
- Improving the recruitment and working conditions of formal carers and supporting informal carers.
Background
Europe's 80+ population is projected to rise from 18 million in 2004 to nearly 50 million in 2050. If the additional life years are spent in ill health or in need of assistance, the number of dependent persons would more than double by 2050. Under the more optimistic scenario which assumes that the increase of a disability-free life expectancy will be in line with the gains in life expectancy as such, there would still be a 31% increase in the number of dependent persons.
This will lead to an increase in formal and informal care, so jobs will be created, but expenditure is also likely to increase.
Further information:'Long-term Care in the European Union'
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3 Canadian Indicted in Scam of Elderly (Raleigh, USA)
Thomas Goldsmith, Staff Writer
RALEIGH - Federal officers in Raleigh have indicted three Canadian men in a fraud scheme against older people that includes a devious new wrinkle -- using previous victims as unwitting money launderers in telemarketing scams against other seniors.
Canadians Clayton Atkinson, Jamaal McKenzie and David Stewart -- no ages or addresses were given, and all had aliases -- face a 34-count indictment charging them with using mail, wire and other methods to move stolen money and property.
A joint probe last year by the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police found that about $900,000 was moved through Raleigh and other locations to the defendants in the Montreal area, an indictment handed down in March says.
"Between about December of 2004 and March of 2005, Atkinson defrauded an elderly resident of Raleigh ... causing a loss of approximately $80,000 to the victim," FBI agent Joan Fleming said in an affidavit.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's office in Raleigh would not identify the victim and did not know the status of any extradition effort.
Experts in senior fraud have said that scam artists typically find new, more sophisticated methods to target victims and cover their tracks as law officers bolster their efforts to catch them.
As many as 5 million older Americans fall victim to financial abuse annually, the federal Securities and Exchange Commission says.
According to the indictments filed in U.S. District Court in Raleigh, the suspects first tricked vulnerable older people into believing they had won a lottery prize of up to $15 million. The victims were told they first had to pay taxes or other fees to collect their "winnings" -- a common tactic.
But the twist came when the original victim was told to send cash or a check to an address that turned out to be a second victim. The second person had previously been defrauded by the scam artists but was told he or she could get a "loan" to use as a final payment before getting the jackpot.
The second victim was allowed to keep part of the money -- some mailings held as much as $20,000 -- before shipping it to a Canadian drop site, where it was funneled to the scam artists.
Using telephone taps and package tracing, law enforcement found the Canadian apartment of Atkinson, known to the suspect as "Howard Clark," Fleming's affidavit says.
The Mounties waited outside, then called the cell phone.
"The RCMP were able to hear 'Howard Clark' answer the call and speak to an RCMP officer posing as a relative of the Raleigh victim," Fleming said in the document. The Mounties then burst into the apartment and arrested "Clark," who was identified as Atkinson.
SOURCE: NewsObserver
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RALEIGH - Federal officers in Raleigh have indicted three Canadian men in a fraud scheme against older people that includes a devious new wrinkle -- using previous victims as unwitting money launderers in telemarketing scams against other seniors.
Canadians Clayton Atkinson, Jamaal McKenzie and David Stewart -- no ages or addresses were given, and all had aliases -- face a 34-count indictment charging them with using mail, wire and other methods to move stolen money and property.
A joint probe last year by the FBI and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police found that about $900,000 was moved through Raleigh and other locations to the defendants in the Montreal area, an indictment handed down in March says.
"Between about December of 2004 and March of 2005, Atkinson defrauded an elderly resident of Raleigh ... causing a loss of approximately $80,000 to the victim," FBI agent Joan Fleming said in an affidavit.
A spokeswoman for the U.S. Attorney's office in Raleigh would not identify the victim and did not know the status of any extradition effort.
Experts in senior fraud have said that scam artists typically find new, more sophisticated methods to target victims and cover their tracks as law officers bolster their efforts to catch them.
As many as 5 million older Americans fall victim to financial abuse annually, the federal Securities and Exchange Commission says.
According to the indictments filed in U.S. District Court in Raleigh, the suspects first tricked vulnerable older people into believing they had won a lottery prize of up to $15 million. The victims were told they first had to pay taxes or other fees to collect their "winnings" -- a common tactic.
But the twist came when the original victim was told to send cash or a check to an address that turned out to be a second victim. The second person had previously been defrauded by the scam artists but was told he or she could get a "loan" to use as a final payment before getting the jackpot.
The second victim was allowed to keep part of the money -- some mailings held as much as $20,000 -- before shipping it to a Canadian drop site, where it was funneled to the scam artists.
Using telephone taps and package tracing, law enforcement found the Canadian apartment of Atkinson, known to the suspect as "Howard Clark," Fleming's affidavit says.
The Mounties waited outside, then called the cell phone.
"The RCMP were able to hear 'Howard Clark' answer the call and speak to an RCMP officer posing as a relative of the Raleigh victim," Fleming said in the document. The Mounties then burst into the apartment and arrested "Clark," who was identified as Atkinson.
SOURCE: NewsObserver
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Elder Abuse: May is Prevention Month (Nebraska, USA)
May Is Vulnerable Adult Abuse Prevention Month
According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the difference between a vulnerable adult being abused or not might be you.
"The actions of a concerned friend or neighbor can protect a vulnerable adult from abuse or neglect, just as the lack of action might allow it," says Vivianne Chaumont, Director of the DHHS Division of Medicaid & Long Term Care. "It’s up to all of us to ensure the safety of older citizens who are in danger.
"Reports of vulnerable adult abuse have increased dramatically in recent years. According to Chaumont, in 2006, there were more than 9,000 contacts with the DHHS Adult Protective Services (APS), and over 7,000 of those alleged abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult. APS responds to many varied reports of adult abuse or neglect. Examples include:
* An elderly woman who can’t pay rent or buy groceries because a caregiver takes her Social Security check.
APS responds to many varied reports of adult abuse or neglect. Examples include:
* An elderly woman who can’t pay rent or buy groceries because a caregiver takes her Social Security check.
* A man with a disability is bullied and harmed by someone in his apartment complex.
* A woman with a severe disability is sexually abused and told not to tell.
* An elderly man is living alone in filthy, unsafe conditions.
Chaumont urges anyone suspecting abuse of a vulnerable adult or neglect of an adult or person with a disability to notify law enforcement, call the statewide abuse hotline at
1-800-652-1999, or call the local DHHS office. 1999 , or call the local DHHS office.
"The identity of a person who reports suspected cases is protected by law," Chaumont explains. "You don’t have to be certain that a situation is abusive or neglectful. We’ll look into it and find out."
"The best safeguard against abuse for a vulnerable elder or person with a disability may be our care and vigilance as neighbors and community members," she said.
Abridged
SOURCE: EmaxHealth
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
According to the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the difference between a vulnerable adult being abused or not might be you.
"The actions of a concerned friend or neighbor can protect a vulnerable adult from abuse or neglect, just as the lack of action might allow it," says Vivianne Chaumont, Director of the DHHS Division of Medicaid & Long Term Care. "It’s up to all of us to ensure the safety of older citizens who are in danger.
"Reports of vulnerable adult abuse have increased dramatically in recent years. According to Chaumont, in 2006, there were more than 9,000 contacts with the DHHS Adult Protective Services (APS), and over 7,000 of those alleged abuse or neglect of a vulnerable adult. APS responds to many varied reports of adult abuse or neglect. Examples include:
* An elderly woman who can’t pay rent or buy groceries because a caregiver takes her Social Security check.
APS responds to many varied reports of adult abuse or neglect. Examples include:
* An elderly woman who can’t pay rent or buy groceries because a caregiver takes her Social Security check.
* A man with a disability is bullied and harmed by someone in his apartment complex.
* A woman with a severe disability is sexually abused and told not to tell.
* An elderly man is living alone in filthy, unsafe conditions.
Chaumont urges anyone suspecting abuse of a vulnerable adult or neglect of an adult or person with a disability to notify law enforcement, call the statewide abuse hotline at
1-800-652-1999, or call the local DHHS office. 1999 , or call the local DHHS office.
"The identity of a person who reports suspected cases is protected by law," Chaumont explains. "You don’t have to be certain that a situation is abusive or neglectful. We’ll look into it and find out."
"The best safeguard against abuse for a vulnerable elder or person with a disability may be our care and vigilance as neighbors and community members," she said.
Abridged
SOURCE: EmaxHealth
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April 28, 2008
Elder Abuse: Death from Neglect
Questions abound in death by starvation
Officials say they don't know why daughter allegedly stopped feeding 78-year-old woman
By JORDAN CARLEO-EVANGELIST and CATHLEEN F. CROWLEY, Staff writers
First published: Saturday, April 26, 2008
ALBANY -- Beth Adams died in bed with her eyes open and little more than condiments in her refrigerator.
It was a death from neglect by her own daughter, authorities allege, that was as heartbreakingly avoidable as it was gruesome.
On and off for some time, Carol Adams, 47, shared the home at 18 Crestwood Court with her 78-year-old mother. On Friday, the daughter remained at the Albany County jail without bail, charged with manslaughter.
City police and paramedics arrived to find the home a shambles and, inside, Beth Adams frightfully emaciated and dead from "profound malnutrition."
For a while she had been sustained only by pieces of chocolate doughnuts, police said. She looked, according to law enforcement officials, like people held in prison camps.
The case also highlights the phenomenon of elder abuse, which experts call a hidden problem that may be more prevalent and under-reported than spousal abuse.
Prosecutors said Carol Adams had been looking after her mother for some months, exclusively so after a falling out with her brother. At some point, and for reasons that remained unclear Friday, she stopped feeding her mother enough to keep her alive.
New York's Adult Protection Services office received 33,380 referrals in 2007, about 60 percent of which involved adults over 60. According to 1997 data, 34 percent of elder abusers were adult children, 26 percent were spouses and 26 percent were unrelated, according to the state.
Suspected abuse can be reported by calling the county's Department of Social Services Adult Protective Services. In Albany County, the number is 447-7177.
Jordan Carleo-Evangelist can be reached at 454-5445 or by e-mail at jcarleo-evangelist@ timesunion.com.
Abridged
SOURCE: timesUnion
--------------------------------
It is not pleasant to post awful cases like the one above, where we get the graphic image of the elder abuse victim.
More must be done by governments at every level. Why governments hesitate, or just ignore the important measure of raising public awareness of Elder Abuse is beyond my comprehension.
The hidden cases of elder abuse, such as those involving Neglect, Psychological and Emotional Abuse by family members, are often ignored. Violation of Human Rights in private homes, should not be "brushed off" as family dynamics issues. We should not accept any excuses for Elder Abuse!
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Officials say they don't know why daughter allegedly stopped feeding 78-year-old woman
By JORDAN CARLEO-EVANGELIST and CATHLEEN F. CROWLEY, Staff writers
First published: Saturday, April 26, 2008
ALBANY -- Beth Adams died in bed with her eyes open and little more than condiments in her refrigerator.
It was a death from neglect by her own daughter, authorities allege, that was as heartbreakingly avoidable as it was gruesome.
On and off for some time, Carol Adams, 47, shared the home at 18 Crestwood Court with her 78-year-old mother. On Friday, the daughter remained at the Albany County jail without bail, charged with manslaughter.
City police and paramedics arrived to find the home a shambles and, inside, Beth Adams frightfully emaciated and dead from "profound malnutrition."
For a while she had been sustained only by pieces of chocolate doughnuts, police said. She looked, according to law enforcement officials, like people held in prison camps.
The case also highlights the phenomenon of elder abuse, which experts call a hidden problem that may be more prevalent and under-reported than spousal abuse.
Prosecutors said Carol Adams had been looking after her mother for some months, exclusively so after a falling out with her brother. At some point, and for reasons that remained unclear Friday, she stopped feeding her mother enough to keep her alive.
New York's Adult Protection Services office received 33,380 referrals in 2007, about 60 percent of which involved adults over 60. According to 1997 data, 34 percent of elder abusers were adult children, 26 percent were spouses and 26 percent were unrelated, according to the state.
Suspected abuse can be reported by calling the county's Department of Social Services Adult Protective Services. In Albany County, the number is 447-7177.
Jordan Carleo-Evangelist can be reached at 454-5445 or by e-mail at jcarleo-evangelist@ timesunion.com.
Abridged
SOURCE: timesUnion
--------------------------------
It is not pleasant to post awful cases like the one above, where we get the graphic image of the elder abuse victim.
More must be done by governments at every level. Why governments hesitate, or just ignore the important measure of raising public awareness of Elder Abuse is beyond my comprehension.
The hidden cases of elder abuse, such as those involving Neglect, Psychological and Emotional Abuse by family members, are often ignored. Violation of Human Rights in private homes, should not be "brushed off" as family dynamics issues. We should not accept any excuses for Elder Abuse!
--------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Elder Abuse Task Force: Conferencce (Navajo County,USA)
FOCIS of Navajo County announces its new name and conference set for June 19.
The Elder Abuse Task Force of Navajo County has renamed the group FOCIS (Focus on Community Initiatives for Seniors). The group will continue to address issues of elder abuse but will expand to all areas affecting seniors such as healthy lifestyles, alternative living, empowerment, financial planning and mental health.
"A Celebration of Aging: Exploring Alternative Living" conference is planned for June 19 at Hon-Dah Conference Center. It will be open to all community members interested in finding out more about how to be an independent senior, sustainable living and the Title 36 petition process for mental health treatment.
Keynote speaker will be Eric Haider, a nationally recognized speaker and leader in long-term care who has received attention for his innovative model of person centered care. For more information and cost of the conference call Georgina at (928) 338-3674, Vina at (928) 242-4770, Maria at 368-6575 or Judy at 532-4330 or e-mail jgorman@azdes.gov.
SOURCE: wmiCentral
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
The Elder Abuse Task Force of Navajo County has renamed the group FOCIS (Focus on Community Initiatives for Seniors). The group will continue to address issues of elder abuse but will expand to all areas affecting seniors such as healthy lifestyles, alternative living, empowerment, financial planning and mental health.
"A Celebration of Aging: Exploring Alternative Living" conference is planned for June 19 at Hon-Dah Conference Center. It will be open to all community members interested in finding out more about how to be an independent senior, sustainable living and the Title 36 petition process for mental health treatment.
Keynote speaker will be Eric Haider, a nationally recognized speaker and leader in long-term care who has received attention for his innovative model of person centered care. For more information and cost of the conference call Georgina at (928) 338-3674, Vina at (928) 242-4770, Maria at 368-6575 or Judy at 532-4330 or e-mail jgorman@azdes.gov.
SOURCE: wmiCentral
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Elder Abuse: New Hotline for Victorians (Vic Australia)
April 27, 2008 12:05pm
VICTORIA'S elderly people who suffer abuse now have access to a telephone helpline, launched today by the State Government.
The Seniors Rights Victoria hotline will provide support and advice to older people suffering abuse, Senior Victorians Minister Lisa Neville said.
She said the $2.6m service would allow anyone to access support and advice to respond to the abuse, mistreatment or neglect of older people.
Ms Neville said elder abuse was not just physical but could be financial, emotional, social or psychological, and involve mistreatment or neglect.
"It can include such instances as families pressuring elderly relatives for money, forcing them to sign documents they do not understand or restricting their contact with friends.
"Other examples include older people's health needs being ignored or physical abuse, including pushing and shoving.''
Studies have estimated that between one and five per cent of older people experience some form of abuse or neglect, Ms Neville said.
Research commissioned by the Department of Planning and Community Development showed 15 per cent of people over the age of 18 had either witnessed financial abuse of an older person or knew the person affected.
The survey also found that 18 per cent of people either witnessed or knew of a senior suffering psychological abuse and 90 per cent supported action to prevent it.
Opposition spokeswoman on ageing Mary Wooldridge said the move was inadequate and lacked preventative strategies and awareness campaigns.
Ms Wooldridge said a report published more than three years ago recommended the issue of elderly abuse be looked at.
“Three-and-a-half years later, the only response we've got from the Government is a hotline,” she said.
“We feel that the Government's response is marked by low commitment to comprehensively and appropriately deal with elderly abuse.”
The hotline 1300 386 821 will begin taking calls from 10am (AEST) tomorrow (April 28.)
SOURCE: heraldSun
----------------------------------------------------
This is long awaited! More must be done to raise public awareness of Elder Abuse. Any hotline will remain "cold" if the hotline creation is not followed by public awareness campaign.
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
VICTORIA'S elderly people who suffer abuse now have access to a telephone helpline, launched today by the State Government.
The Seniors Rights Victoria hotline will provide support and advice to older people suffering abuse, Senior Victorians Minister Lisa Neville said.
She said the $2.6m service would allow anyone to access support and advice to respond to the abuse, mistreatment or neglect of older people.
Ms Neville said elder abuse was not just physical but could be financial, emotional, social or psychological, and involve mistreatment or neglect.
"It can include such instances as families pressuring elderly relatives for money, forcing them to sign documents they do not understand or restricting their contact with friends.
"Other examples include older people's health needs being ignored or physical abuse, including pushing and shoving.''
Studies have estimated that between one and five per cent of older people experience some form of abuse or neglect, Ms Neville said.
Research commissioned by the Department of Planning and Community Development showed 15 per cent of people over the age of 18 had either witnessed financial abuse of an older person or knew the person affected.
The survey also found that 18 per cent of people either witnessed or knew of a senior suffering psychological abuse and 90 per cent supported action to prevent it.
Opposition spokeswoman on ageing Mary Wooldridge said the move was inadequate and lacked preventative strategies and awareness campaigns.
Ms Wooldridge said a report published more than three years ago recommended the issue of elderly abuse be looked at.
“Three-and-a-half years later, the only response we've got from the Government is a hotline,” she said.
“We feel that the Government's response is marked by low commitment to comprehensively and appropriately deal with elderly abuse.”
The hotline 1300 386 821 will begin taking calls from 10am (AEST) tomorrow (April 28.)
SOURCE: heraldSun
----------------------------------------------------
This is long awaited! More must be done to raise public awareness of Elder Abuse. Any hotline will remain "cold" if the hotline creation is not followed by public awareness campaign.
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
April 27, 2008
Kit to Protect Elderly Against Malicious Scams (WA, Australia)
19th April 2008, 13:15 WST
A specialised education kit for WA seniors who may be vulnerable to scammers was launched on Thursday.
The user-friendly resource contains examples of real-life scams and important advice to prevent elderly people from becoming victims of fraud.
“Alzheimer’s Australia WA put the kit together after receiving $50,000 from the State Government’s Criminal Proceeds Fund to undertake a survey about the type and frequency of scams targeting elderly people, in particular those with dementia,” Communities Minister Sue Ellery said.
“The research report has guided the development of the education kit, which contains a copy of the report, samples of different types of scams, pro forma letters and tips to help identify and avoid scams.”
She said it was concerning that fraudsters preyed on the vulnerable and weak and were increasingly targeting people who suffered from dementia or Alzheimer’s because they were seen as easy targets.
“Scams can have a devastating effect on elderly people who, in good faith, hand over their hard-earned savings and then realise that they will never see their money again,” she said.
The Scam Education Kit is being distributed to community groups and aged-care residential facilities and is available by phoning Alzheimer’s Australia WA on 9388 2800 during business hours.
SOURCE: southwestNews
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
A specialised education kit for WA seniors who may be vulnerable to scammers was launched on Thursday.
The user-friendly resource contains examples of real-life scams and important advice to prevent elderly people from becoming victims of fraud.
“Alzheimer’s Australia WA put the kit together after receiving $50,000 from the State Government’s Criminal Proceeds Fund to undertake a survey about the type and frequency of scams targeting elderly people, in particular those with dementia,” Communities Minister Sue Ellery said.
“The research report has guided the development of the education kit, which contains a copy of the report, samples of different types of scams, pro forma letters and tips to help identify and avoid scams.”
She said it was concerning that fraudsters preyed on the vulnerable and weak and were increasingly targeting people who suffered from dementia or Alzheimer’s because they were seen as easy targets.
“Scams can have a devastating effect on elderly people who, in good faith, hand over their hard-earned savings and then realise that they will never see their money again,” she said.
The Scam Education Kit is being distributed to community groups and aged-care residential facilities and is available by phoning Alzheimer’s Australia WA on 9388 2800 during business hours.
SOURCE: southwestNews
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County Looks at Creation of Elder Court (USA)
By Malaika Fraley
CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Article Launched: 04/24/2008 06:13:52 AM PDT
Contra Costa County is considering the creation of a special Superior Court division that would address a fast-growing crime — financial abuse of the elderly.
Speakers at a forum on financial elder abuse in Martinez on Wednesday said an Elder Court is just one step the county is taking to battle a crime they say is largely unreported and growing at an alarming rate.
Only one in every 100 incidents of financial elder abuse is reported, said Shirley Krohn of the Area Agency on Aging. Statistics show 60 percent of perpetrators are family members, most of them adult children of the victims.
"Shame, embarrassment, dependence on the perpetrator, a lack of understanding and an awareness that the money is gone are all contributors to not reporting," Krohn said.
Abridged
SOURCE: contracostaTimes
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CONTRA COSTA TIMES
Article Launched: 04/24/2008 06:13:52 AM PDT
Contra Costa County is considering the creation of a special Superior Court division that would address a fast-growing crime — financial abuse of the elderly.
Speakers at a forum on financial elder abuse in Martinez on Wednesday said an Elder Court is just one step the county is taking to battle a crime they say is largely unreported and growing at an alarming rate.
Only one in every 100 incidents of financial elder abuse is reported, said Shirley Krohn of the Area Agency on Aging. Statistics show 60 percent of perpetrators are family members, most of them adult children of the victims.
"Shame, embarrassment, dependence on the perpetrator, a lack of understanding and an awareness that the money is gone are all contributors to not reporting," Krohn said.
Abridged
SOURCE: contracostaTimes
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How Common is Elder Abuse in Southern Nevada?
Updated: April 26, 2008 08:44 AM
News 3 has obtained a police report which describes how a grandmother was found in deplorable conditions at her home. Her bed was filthy, infested with bugs. The 86-year-old's body was covered with open sores.
She's now being treated at spring valley hospital. Her daughter and grandson are in jail for the alleged neglect.
One day after we brought you this exclusive story, elderly advocates across the Valley are outraged. They say as shocking as this case may be, it's one that is actually common, especially here in southern Nevada.
News 3's Marie Mortera has more on what one woman calls a scary epidemic.
Jean Bryant may have started at S.A.F.E House only about a year ago, but it's been devastating and frustrating year because of what she's found since she started looking into local elderly abuse.
She's over 60 years old herself and became involved because she wanted to help others like her. Little did she know she'd come across so much. "To me it's epidemic. I see it everyday," Bryant says.
She says because southern Nevada has a large retirement community, the elderly seem an easy target and are preyed upon.
Earlier this week, News 3 told you about robbers targeting older men and women. Then came Thursday's story of a grandmother neglected at her Spring Valley home, her wounds so severe her legs were fused together. Police arrested her own grandson and daughter.
According to Clark County statistics, family perpetrators make up 90 percent of neglect cases. Many times, the victims have dementia or Alzheimer's.
Clark County has a special department dedicated to elderly abuse. It says in an average year, the department investigates about 1,000 cases of abuse.
SOURCE: K http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=8229420&nav=menu107_2VBC
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
News 3 has obtained a police report which describes how a grandmother was found in deplorable conditions at her home. Her bed was filthy, infested with bugs. The 86-year-old's body was covered with open sores.
She's now being treated at spring valley hospital. Her daughter and grandson are in jail for the alleged neglect.
One day after we brought you this exclusive story, elderly advocates across the Valley are outraged. They say as shocking as this case may be, it's one that is actually common, especially here in southern Nevada.
News 3's Marie Mortera has more on what one woman calls a scary epidemic.
Jean Bryant may have started at S.A.F.E House only about a year ago, but it's been devastating and frustrating year because of what she's found since she started looking into local elderly abuse.
She's over 60 years old herself and became involved because she wanted to help others like her. Little did she know she'd come across so much. "To me it's epidemic. I see it everyday," Bryant says.
She says because southern Nevada has a large retirement community, the elderly seem an easy target and are preyed upon.
Earlier this week, News 3 told you about robbers targeting older men and women. Then came Thursday's story of a grandmother neglected at her Spring Valley home, her wounds so severe her legs were fused together. Police arrested her own grandson and daughter.
According to Clark County statistics, family perpetrators make up 90 percent of neglect cases. Many times, the victims have dementia or Alzheimer's.
Clark County has a special department dedicated to elderly abuse. It says in an average year, the department investigates about 1,000 cases of abuse.
SOURCE: K http://www.kvbc.com/Global/story.asp?S=8229420&nav=menu107_2VBC
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81 Year Old Says Nursing Home Worker Punched Him (USA)
Posted: 7:07 PM Apr 24, 2008
Reporter: Chris Thomas
Edgefield, SC---Claims of elder abuse have surfaced at an Edgefield nursing home. An 81 year old man says a nurse punched him in the eye.
"I'm feelin' bad," said 81 year old Venson Rodgers. He says a nurse at the Trinity Mission Health and Rehab Center punched him.
"I think I'm in shock because I just can't believe it's happened," said Dianne Long. Long is Venson's daughter. She is now struggling with feelings of regret after her father's dementia forced him into a nursing home, and now this.
"Inside it's just like something is eating me up cause I'm just so scared I'm so scared of what's gone happen to him if I leave him," said Dianne.
"There are people out there who are criminally minded who do take advantage of the elderly...I don't, and I don't tolerate it in my employees," said Denise Fallaw who is director of the nursing home.
Meanwhile, Denise Bagwell turned herself in to police early Thursday. She is facing felony charges for abuse of a vulnerable adult.
Police say Bagwell insists she was defending herself from a combative patient. "I think what she was doing was trying to prevent herself from being hit again, and he ended up getting hit in the eye," said Fallaw.
Edgefield Police Chief Ronnie Carter says, "It does look like he was punched in the eye whether it was an accident by his own hands or whether the nurse hit him...that will be for a judge to decide."
One thing is certain...Mr. Rodgers has a long recovery ahead. He has a badly bruised eye, bone fractures, and a blood clot that doctors will monitor.
Denise Bagwell was released Thursday. She'll go before a judge in June. If convicted she could face five years in prison.
SOURCE: WRDW
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Reporter: Chris Thomas
Edgefield, SC---Claims of elder abuse have surfaced at an Edgefield nursing home. An 81 year old man says a nurse punched him in the eye.
"I'm feelin' bad," said 81 year old Venson Rodgers. He says a nurse at the Trinity Mission Health and Rehab Center punched him.
"I think I'm in shock because I just can't believe it's happened," said Dianne Long. Long is Venson's daughter. She is now struggling with feelings of regret after her father's dementia forced him into a nursing home, and now this.
"Inside it's just like something is eating me up cause I'm just so scared I'm so scared of what's gone happen to him if I leave him," said Dianne.
"There are people out there who are criminally minded who do take advantage of the elderly...I don't, and I don't tolerate it in my employees," said Denise Fallaw who is director of the nursing home.
Meanwhile, Denise Bagwell turned herself in to police early Thursday. She is facing felony charges for abuse of a vulnerable adult.
Police say Bagwell insists she was defending herself from a combative patient. "I think what she was doing was trying to prevent herself from being hit again, and he ended up getting hit in the eye," said Fallaw.
Edgefield Police Chief Ronnie Carter says, "It does look like he was punched in the eye whether it was an accident by his own hands or whether the nurse hit him...that will be for a judge to decide."
One thing is certain...Mr. Rodgers has a long recovery ahead. He has a badly bruised eye, bone fractures, and a blood clot that doctors will monitor.
Denise Bagwell was released Thursday. She'll go before a judge in June. If convicted she could face five years in prison.
SOURCE: WRDW
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Funding for Seniors and Elder Abuse Awareness (Canada)
The Government of Canada supports programs and activities for seniors in Québec City
QUÉBEC CITY, QUEBEC, April 24, 2008 — Ms. Sylvie Boucher, Member of Parliament for Beauport-Limoilou, today announced funding for two projects in Québec City under the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). This funding will benefit seniors by improving the facilities and equipment they need to stay involved in their communities.
Ms. Boucher made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and the Honourable Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Secretary of State (Seniors).
Speaking at Le Patro Roc-Amadour, Ms. Boucher announced $25,000 in funding for that organization and $5,698 for Le Club de l'Âge d'Or de St-Pascal.
Le Patro Roc-Amadour will upgrade their facilities, and both organizations will replace furniture so that they can continue to provide programs that enable seniors to remain actively engaged in their communities.
Backgrounder New Horizons for Seniors Program
Last year, the Government of Canada increased the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) budget by $10 million per year to provide Capital Assistance funding and Elder Abuse Awareness funding. This has increased the total amount of funding available under the NHSP to $28 million per year. Today's announcement is a result of this additional funding for the Capital Assistance component of the NHSP.
SOURCE: newsGCcanada
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QUÉBEC CITY, QUEBEC, April 24, 2008 — Ms. Sylvie Boucher, Member of Parliament for Beauport-Limoilou, today announced funding for two projects in Québec City under the Government of Canada's New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP). This funding will benefit seniors by improving the facilities and equipment they need to stay involved in their communities.
Ms. Boucher made the announcement on behalf of the Honourable Monte Solberg, Minister of Human Resources and Social Development, and the Honourable Marjory LeBreton, Leader of the Government in the Senate and Secretary of State (Seniors).
Speaking at Le Patro Roc-Amadour, Ms. Boucher announced $25,000 in funding for that organization and $5,698 for Le Club de l'Âge d'Or de St-Pascal.
Le Patro Roc-Amadour will upgrade their facilities, and both organizations will replace furniture so that they can continue to provide programs that enable seniors to remain actively engaged in their communities.
Backgrounder New Horizons for Seniors Program
Last year, the Government of Canada increased the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) budget by $10 million per year to provide Capital Assistance funding and Elder Abuse Awareness funding. This has increased the total amount of funding available under the NHSP to $28 million per year. Today's announcement is a result of this additional funding for the Capital Assistance component of the NHSP.
SOURCE: newsGCcanada
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April 26, 2008
Elderly Woman 'Aggressively' Beaten (Boston, USA)
By Jessica Van Sack and Jessica Fargen
Boston Herald
April 24, 2008
Boston police are investigating whether a lunatic is preying on the elderly after the attempted rape of an 88-year-old woman in her Hyde Park apartment - a stone’s throw from a precinct station and just days after an 86-year-old man was assaulted in the same neighborhood.
“What kind of creature would attack an 88-year-old woman?” said neighbor Yahya Kareem, 63, of the brazen early-morning assault. “This is a sick thing.”
At about 4 a.m. yesterday, a suspect “aggressively” beat and attempted to rape an 88-year-old woman in the Boston Housing Authority’s Malone Apartments in Hyde Park, a 100-person complex for the elderly and disabled.
“She attempted to fight,” said BPD Superintendent Bruce Holloway, later adding, “It’s a horrible case.”
Abridged
SOURCE: theBostonHerald
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Boston Herald
April 24, 2008
Boston police are investigating whether a lunatic is preying on the elderly after the attempted rape of an 88-year-old woman in her Hyde Park apartment - a stone’s throw from a precinct station and just days after an 86-year-old man was assaulted in the same neighborhood.
“What kind of creature would attack an 88-year-old woman?” said neighbor Yahya Kareem, 63, of the brazen early-morning assault. “This is a sick thing.”
At about 4 a.m. yesterday, a suspect “aggressively” beat and attempted to rape an 88-year-old woman in the Boston Housing Authority’s Malone Apartments in Hyde Park, a 100-person complex for the elderly and disabled.
“She attempted to fight,” said BPD Superintendent Bruce Holloway, later adding, “It’s a horrible case.”
Abridged
SOURCE: theBostonHerald
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Incentive for Singles Who Reside with Aged Parents (Singapore)
Singapore: Greater Housing Incentive for Singles who Reside with Aged Parents (March 5, 2008)
(Article in Chinese)
In Singapore, the Housing and Development Board will award a grant of S$20,000 to singles for first time purchase of a resale flat on the condition that they reside with their parents in the same flat. This amount is an increase from the current S$11,000.
At present, only singles above 35 years of age are allowed to purchase a government resale flat. Married people who live near or with their parents are entitled to a housing grant of S$40,000. This new measure will benefit both the elderly and their single children.
SOURCE: GAA
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(Article in Chinese)
In Singapore, the Housing and Development Board will award a grant of S$20,000 to singles for first time purchase of a resale flat on the condition that they reside with their parents in the same flat. This amount is an increase from the current S$11,000.
At present, only singles above 35 years of age are allowed to purchase a government resale flat. Married people who live near or with their parents are entitled to a housing grant of S$40,000. This new measure will benefit both the elderly and their single children.
SOURCE: GAA
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April 25, 2008
INDIA: State Plans Action Against Families Evicting Seniors (India)
BHOPAL, Madhya Pradesh (IndiaPost),
April 22, 2008
Posted by Yasha Sharma
Senior citizens of wealthy families who have been evicted from their homes by children or family members and are living in Old Age Homes would be identified. Such old people would given Old Age Pension and their offspring or family members would be penalised after filing cases against them for evicting the old people. This decision was taken at a meeting of the state level committee constituted for amending the proposed Old Age Policy.
The meeting held at the Mantralaya was presided over by Woman and Child Development Minister Ms Kusum Mehdele. A sub-committee would prepare the final draft after amending Senior Citizens Act and state's proposed Old Age Policy. The committee would prepare a final draft within two months in the light of suggestions made by the members and discussions with them. Ms Mehdele convened the first meeting of the sub-committee on May 12
Source: The India Post
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April 22, 2008
Posted by Yasha Sharma
Senior citizens of wealthy families who have been evicted from their homes by children or family members and are living in Old Age Homes would be identified. Such old people would given Old Age Pension and their offspring or family members would be penalised after filing cases against them for evicting the old people. This decision was taken at a meeting of the state level committee constituted for amending the proposed Old Age Policy.
The meeting held at the Mantralaya was presided over by Woman and Child Development Minister Ms Kusum Mehdele. A sub-committee would prepare the final draft after amending Senior Citizens Act and state's proposed Old Age Policy. The committee would prepare a final draft within two months in the light of suggestions made by the members and discussions with them. Ms Mehdele convened the first meeting of the sub-committee on May 12
Source: The India Post
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Antipsychotic Drugs Linked to Pneumonia in Elderly
New Study Shows Antipsychotic Drugs Linked to Pneumonia in Elderly
by hernewsPosted: Tue.
April 22, 2008, 03:52 pm
TUESDAY, April 22 (HealthDay News) -- Nursing home patients who take antipsychotic drugs are 60 percent more likely to develop pneumonia in the short term than those who don't take the drugs, a new study shows.
The risk is greatest during the first week after patients start taking the medications and gradually decreases, say Dutch researchers.
"The risk of developing pneumonia is not associated with long-term use, but is the highest shortly after starting the drug," said study authors Dr. Rob van Marum and Dr. Wilma Knol. They warned that "all antipsychotic drugs may be associated with pneumonia in elderly patients."
This is the first study to show an association between pneumonia risk and the use of antipsychotic drugs, which are frequently used to treat psychosis and behavioral problems in elderly patients with dementia and delirium.
The study was published in the current issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
More research is needed to identify the underlying mechanism behind this association, said the researchers, who added that doctors should monitor elderly patients for signs of sedation after they start taking antipsychotic drugs and should carefully weigh the possible risks before they prescribe antipsychotic drugs for elderly patients.
Up to 40 percent of nursing home residents may be prescribed antipsychotics, according to the study authors. They noted that, in more than half of those cases, antipsychotics are prescribed for inappropriate reasons. The drugs are often used to treat behavioral problems in dementia patients, but evidence shows these drugs have limited effectiveness in these patients.
In addition, recent research has shown that the use of antipsychotic drugs in elderly patients is associated with an increased risk of illness and death.
SOURCE: empowher
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by hernewsPosted: Tue.
April 22, 2008, 03:52 pm
TUESDAY, April 22 (HealthDay News) -- Nursing home patients who take antipsychotic drugs are 60 percent more likely to develop pneumonia in the short term than those who don't take the drugs, a new study shows.
The risk is greatest during the first week after patients start taking the medications and gradually decreases, say Dutch researchers.
"The risk of developing pneumonia is not associated with long-term use, but is the highest shortly after starting the drug," said study authors Dr. Rob van Marum and Dr. Wilma Knol. They warned that "all antipsychotic drugs may be associated with pneumonia in elderly patients."
This is the first study to show an association between pneumonia risk and the use of antipsychotic drugs, which are frequently used to treat psychosis and behavioral problems in elderly patients with dementia and delirium.
The study was published in the current issue of the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society.
More research is needed to identify the underlying mechanism behind this association, said the researchers, who added that doctors should monitor elderly patients for signs of sedation after they start taking antipsychotic drugs and should carefully weigh the possible risks before they prescribe antipsychotic drugs for elderly patients.
Up to 40 percent of nursing home residents may be prescribed antipsychotics, according to the study authors. They noted that, in more than half of those cases, antipsychotics are prescribed for inappropriate reasons. The drugs are often used to treat behavioral problems in dementia patients, but evidence shows these drugs have limited effectiveness in these patients.
In addition, recent research has shown that the use of antipsychotic drugs in elderly patients is associated with an increased risk of illness and death.
SOURCE: empowher
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Safety of Seniors: Proactive Policing (Mumbai, India)
For safety of seniors, a first in proactive policing
Jaidev Hemmady
Posted online: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 02:47:40
Mumbai, April 22 *
On March 28, Khurshid Dick (65) was found murdered in her Gorai flat, two stab wounds on her body. The body was discovered by a contractor she had commissioned for painting the house. The main suspect, a painter, is still to be arrested.
* On February 19, Lajwanti Chugani (70) was murdered at her Gamdevi flat after a robbery by two men who had earlier been employed as domestic help in another wing of the building.
* On February 16, Dilip (72) and Varsha Randhery (61) were found murdered at their Santacruz flat. Police arrested a domestic servant.
*l On February 4, former member of the Censor Board Kiran Khanna (65) was found murdered at her Worli flat. Two men posing as courier delivery boys had assaulted her.
While the continuing trend of crimes against senior citizens has worried policemen across the city, compelling them to set up a helpline for seniors and to step up mobile patrolling, the Borivali police will soon initiate a first in proactive policing – a senior citizens’ card.
Police Inspector (Crime) Annasaheb Rajmane from the Borivali police station, whose brainchild is in its final stages of being approved, says: ‘‘Realising the fact that policemen cannot monitor the safety of senior citizens around the clock, I came up with an idea to get a special senior citizens’ card printed. The card contains landline phone numbers of the Borivali police station as well as mobile numbers of the senior police inspector, the assistant police commissioner of the area and also the deputy commissioner of police of the zone. The purpose of the card is to make help available to senior citizens that’s a phone call away.”
Rajmane says a copy of each card issued to senior citizens residing in the police station’s jurisdiction will also be maintained at the police station. “It will contain particulars about the name of the family doctor of the card-holder, the name of the nearest hospital, the blood group and other such details.’’
Abridged
SOURCE: expressIndia
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Jaidev Hemmady
Posted online: Wednesday, April 23, 2008 at 02:47:40
Mumbai, April 22 *
On March 28, Khurshid Dick (65) was found murdered in her Gorai flat, two stab wounds on her body. The body was discovered by a contractor she had commissioned for painting the house. The main suspect, a painter, is still to be arrested.
* On February 19, Lajwanti Chugani (70) was murdered at her Gamdevi flat after a robbery by two men who had earlier been employed as domestic help in another wing of the building.
* On February 16, Dilip (72) and Varsha Randhery (61) were found murdered at their Santacruz flat. Police arrested a domestic servant.
*l On February 4, former member of the Censor Board Kiran Khanna (65) was found murdered at her Worli flat. Two men posing as courier delivery boys had assaulted her.
While the continuing trend of crimes against senior citizens has worried policemen across the city, compelling them to set up a helpline for seniors and to step up mobile patrolling, the Borivali police will soon initiate a first in proactive policing – a senior citizens’ card.
Police Inspector (Crime) Annasaheb Rajmane from the Borivali police station, whose brainchild is in its final stages of being approved, says: ‘‘Realising the fact that policemen cannot monitor the safety of senior citizens around the clock, I came up with an idea to get a special senior citizens’ card printed. The card contains landline phone numbers of the Borivali police station as well as mobile numbers of the senior police inspector, the assistant police commissioner of the area and also the deputy commissioner of police of the zone. The purpose of the card is to make help available to senior citizens that’s a phone call away.”
Rajmane says a copy of each card issued to senior citizens residing in the police station’s jurisdiction will also be maintained at the police station. “It will contain particulars about the name of the family doctor of the card-holder, the name of the nearest hospital, the blood group and other such details.’’
Abridged
SOURCE: expressIndia
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Celebrities and Experts to Help Prevent Elder Abuse (USA)
Celebrities and Experts Join Forces to Help Prevent Elder Abuse
Older Americans Month, May 2008
Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15, 2008
Debby and Ken Bitticks were charged with the responsibility, like many in the "sandwich generation" today, of caring for their parents. Both their aging fathers moved into their home and they hired help to care for them while they worked. Ken's father needed to be rescued from an abusive and dishonest caregiver. They were horrified when they realized that elder abuse is a growing epidemic. Unfortunately, stories of elder abuse are becoming more and more prevalent across the country.
"People over age 60 make up only one-eighth of the U.S. population, yet they constitute one of every three scam victims," writes Sid Kirchheimer, an advisor to AARP. Telephone ploys, identity theft, get-rich-quick schemes, sweepstakes prizes-today's hucksters have a wide-ranging repertoire of tricks in their bag.
Ed Asner, Art Linkletter, Michael Reagan, LAPD Police Chief William Bratton, L.A. Public Health Director Jonathan Fielding, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and a host of others join intergenerational experts Debby Bitticks and Dorothy Breininger of Delphi Health Products, Inc. in a new documentary, "Saving Our Parents", which launches this month, April 2008.
Hosted and narrated by Emmy & Golden Globe winner Ed Asner, and produced and directed by Emmy winner Jeff MacIntyre, the DVD's mission is to protect the aging population of the country and help adult children care for their aging parents. Interviewees tell shocking stories of families deceived by predators and offer life-saving information from the country's most trusted experts on the topic. Segments include:
· Predatory caregivers and crooked conservators
· Financial scam artists
· Neglectful nursing homes and generations living together
· Dangerous hoarding disorders that pose health risks
· Michael Reagan's transformational experience with his father, former president Ronald Reagan and Alzheimer's Disease
· Tips from Marc Hankin, Elder Abuse Attorney
· Inspirational tips for safe and healthy aging
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW: All mentioned above, in addition to: Dennis Bogard, retired Chief Inspector Los Angeles Fire Dept., Dr. Sanjaya Saxena, hoarding expert, and Dr. Marion Somers, gerontologist. Also, profiles of those featured in DVD, including Lloyd, the hoarder, and families who have dealt with elder abuse issues.
OTHER MATERIAL AVAILABLE: Organizing and safety tips, video and quotes at www.savingourparents.com, articles written, DVD reviews, Q&As; Statistics: http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/011603.html
Abridged
SOURCE: newsblaze
----------------------------
Please go to source for more Tips to Prevent Elder Abuse.
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Older Americans Month, May 2008
Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15, 2008
Debby and Ken Bitticks were charged with the responsibility, like many in the "sandwich generation" today, of caring for their parents. Both their aging fathers moved into their home and they hired help to care for them while they worked. Ken's father needed to be rescued from an abusive and dishonest caregiver. They were horrified when they realized that elder abuse is a growing epidemic. Unfortunately, stories of elder abuse are becoming more and more prevalent across the country.
"People over age 60 make up only one-eighth of the U.S. population, yet they constitute one of every three scam victims," writes Sid Kirchheimer, an advisor to AARP. Telephone ploys, identity theft, get-rich-quick schemes, sweepstakes prizes-today's hucksters have a wide-ranging repertoire of tricks in their bag.
Ed Asner, Art Linkletter, Michael Reagan, LAPD Police Chief William Bratton, L.A. Public Health Director Jonathan Fielding, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen and a host of others join intergenerational experts Debby Bitticks and Dorothy Breininger of Delphi Health Products, Inc. in a new documentary, "Saving Our Parents", which launches this month, April 2008.
Hosted and narrated by Emmy & Golden Globe winner Ed Asner, and produced and directed by Emmy winner Jeff MacIntyre, the DVD's mission is to protect the aging population of the country and help adult children care for their aging parents. Interviewees tell shocking stories of families deceived by predators and offer life-saving information from the country's most trusted experts on the topic. Segments include:
· Predatory caregivers and crooked conservators
· Financial scam artists
· Neglectful nursing homes and generations living together
· Dangerous hoarding disorders that pose health risks
· Michael Reagan's transformational experience with his father, former president Ronald Reagan and Alzheimer's Disease
· Tips from Marc Hankin, Elder Abuse Attorney
· Inspirational tips for safe and healthy aging
AVAILABLE FOR INTERVIEW: All mentioned above, in addition to: Dennis Bogard, retired Chief Inspector Los Angeles Fire Dept., Dr. Sanjaya Saxena, hoarding expert, and Dr. Marion Somers, gerontologist. Also, profiles of those featured in DVD, including Lloyd, the hoarder, and families who have dealt with elder abuse issues.
OTHER MATERIAL AVAILABLE: Organizing and safety tips, video and quotes at www.savingourparents.com, articles written, DVD reviews, Q&As; Statistics: http://www.census.gov/Press-Release/www/releases/archives/facts_for_features_special_editions/011603.html
Abridged
SOURCE: newsblaze
----------------------------
Please go to source for more Tips to Prevent Elder Abuse.
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April 24, 2008
Fortuna Man Arrested for Alleged Elder Abuse (USA)
Fortuna man arrested for alleged elder abuse
The Times-Standard
Article Launched: 04/23/2008 11:06:09 AM PDT
A 48-year-old man was arrested Tuesday evening for allegedly abusing two elderly women, one of whom was his grandmother.
According to the Fortuna Police Department, officers responded to Boyden Lane on reports that Brian Oseman was making threats against the women, ages 77 and 89. He was reportedly armed with a handgun.
Officers set up a perimeter, and through dispatch asked the two women to leave the home. One of the women had already locked Oseman in the garage with the gun. After the women left, officers ordered Oseman out of the garage and found a loaded .50-caliber handgun there, along with six rifles and five pistols.
He was arrested on suspicion of felony elder abuse and for an outstanding warrant for driving on a suspended license. He has been booked in the Humboldt County Jail.
SOURCE: thetimestandard
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The Times-Standard
Article Launched: 04/23/2008 11:06:09 AM PDT
A 48-year-old man was arrested Tuesday evening for allegedly abusing two elderly women, one of whom was his grandmother.
According to the Fortuna Police Department, officers responded to Boyden Lane on reports that Brian Oseman was making threats against the women, ages 77 and 89. He was reportedly armed with a handgun.
Officers set up a perimeter, and through dispatch asked the two women to leave the home. One of the women had already locked Oseman in the garage with the gun. After the women left, officers ordered Oseman out of the garage and found a loaded .50-caliber handgun there, along with six rifles and five pistols.
He was arrested on suspicion of felony elder abuse and for an outstanding warrant for driving on a suspended license. He has been booked in the Humboldt County Jail.
SOURCE: thetimestandard
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Woman Charged With Abusing Mother (USA)
Woman charged with abusing mother
By RICK YENCER
April 23, 2008
MUNCIE -- A relative's concern about an elderly aunt resulted in a Muncie woman's arrest for allegedly battering her 85-year-old mother.
Terrie L. Moore, 54, 1800 N. Brentwood Lane, also refused to feed her mother, authorities allege. Moore was released from the Delaware County jail Tuesday night after posting an $11,000 bond. She is preliminarily charged with neglect of a dependent and criminal mischief.
Police said they made a welfare check on Moore's mother, Maxine, last Friday, after the older woman's niece, Dixie Keeler, raised concerns about her aunt.
Police said they went to the Moore home Friday night and found 85-year-old Maxine Moore's face severely bruised. The woman told authorities that her daughter pushed her down and hit her all the time.
Delaware County Prosecutor Mark McKinney said cases of elder abuse were more common than some people think.
In most cases, elder abuse is caused by a family member, according to the study, who often depend on the victim for money or a place to live. Abuse also can happen because the family member can no longer handle caring for the victim or because of psychological or physical problems.
Abridged
SOURCE: thestarPress
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By RICK YENCER
April 23, 2008
MUNCIE -- A relative's concern about an elderly aunt resulted in a Muncie woman's arrest for allegedly battering her 85-year-old mother.
Terrie L. Moore, 54, 1800 N. Brentwood Lane, also refused to feed her mother, authorities allege. Moore was released from the Delaware County jail Tuesday night after posting an $11,000 bond. She is preliminarily charged with neglect of a dependent and criminal mischief.
Police said they made a welfare check on Moore's mother, Maxine, last Friday, after the older woman's niece, Dixie Keeler, raised concerns about her aunt.
Police said they went to the Moore home Friday night and found 85-year-old Maxine Moore's face severely bruised. The woman told authorities that her daughter pushed her down and hit her all the time.
Delaware County Prosecutor Mark McKinney said cases of elder abuse were more common than some people think.
In most cases, elder abuse is caused by a family member, according to the study, who often depend on the victim for money or a place to live. Abuse also can happen because the family member can no longer handle caring for the victim or because of psychological or physical problems.
Abridged
SOURCE: thestarPress
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Teen Charged with Elder Abuse of Senile Granny (USA)
LAKE WORTH, FL (AP) -- Authorities say an 18-year-old man is charged with elder abuse for having his senile grandmother wear a black mask and hold a handgun for a video on thug life in Palm Beach County.
The 85-year-old woman is seen and heard on the video threatening to shoot "all the pigs," referring to police.
Michael Alfinez was arrested Monday and charged with abusing an elderly person, discharging a firearm in public and improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon. Authorities say Alfinez also appears on the video firing a gun from a moving vehicle.
Palm Beach County sheriff's detectives seized the video during a traffic stop in January. Court records do not list an attorney for Alfinez. His mother, Michelle, calls the incident a misunderstanding.
Copyright AP
SOURCE: firstcoastNews
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"Misunderstanding?" She must be kidding.
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The 85-year-old woman is seen and heard on the video threatening to shoot "all the pigs," referring to police.
Michael Alfinez was arrested Monday and charged with abusing an elderly person, discharging a firearm in public and improper exhibition of a dangerous weapon. Authorities say Alfinez also appears on the video firing a gun from a moving vehicle.
Palm Beach County sheriff's detectives seized the video during a traffic stop in January. Court records do not list an attorney for Alfinez. His mother, Michelle, calls the incident a misunderstanding.
Copyright AP
SOURCE: firstcoastNews
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"Misunderstanding?" She must be kidding.
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Singapore: Inflation Woes and the Poor and Elderly
Singapore: Inflation Woes Unresolved by Control of Imported Food Prices and Subsidies for Daily Necessities (February 4, 2008)
(Article in Chinese)
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that the government is helping the poor and elderly cope with rising living costs, including a review of the public assistance fund.
The Finance ministry will disburse a package to aid citizens with rising food costs. Singapore relies heavily on food imports. Food importers and merchants will suffer business losses if restrictions are placed on them to curb raising prices. Reliance on government subsidies for daily necessities will not end the inflationary movement of food costs.
SOURCE: GlobalActionOnAging (GAA)
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The "package" is the traditional Chinese "Ang Pow" (often, a small cash gift, in a red envelope), given during Chinese New Year celebration. This alone, cannot solve the problem for the poor and elderly. The review into public assistance is promising.
Rising food prices is now reaching crisis point for many countries around the globe. The poor and elderly will be the most affected.
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
(Article in Chinese)
Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that the government is helping the poor and elderly cope with rising living costs, including a review of the public assistance fund.
The Finance ministry will disburse a package to aid citizens with rising food costs. Singapore relies heavily on food imports. Food importers and merchants will suffer business losses if restrictions are placed on them to curb raising prices. Reliance on government subsidies for daily necessities will not end the inflationary movement of food costs.
SOURCE: GlobalActionOnAging (GAA)
--------------------------------------------------
The "package" is the traditional Chinese "Ang Pow" (often, a small cash gift, in a red envelope), given during Chinese New Year celebration. This alone, cannot solve the problem for the poor and elderly. The review into public assistance is promising.
Rising food prices is now reaching crisis point for many countries around the globe. The poor and elderly will be the most affected.
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
April 23, 2008
Grant Helps Doctors Spot Elder Abuse (USA)
BY TANYANIKA SAMUELS
Tuesday, April 22nd 2008,
Doctors at Montefiore Medical Center are getting proactive in the fight against elder abuse.
Montefiore has launched a program to train physicians and caregivers to better detect signs of abuse and to guide victims to helpful social services.
"Our goals are to provide better care for the victims of abuse, to train our physicians and caregivers to identify abuse," said Dr. Laurie Jacobs, Montefiore's chief of geriatric medicine.
The hospital created a special team of physicians from the geriatrics and geriatric psychiatry departments to act as consultants.
"Victims of elder abuse and neglect are often isolated, and physicians are among the only people they may trust or confide in," said Dr. Karin Ouchida. "Most physicians have not been trained to identify elder abuse and neglect and need to acquire [those] skills."
The city's Aging Department estimates there are 50,000 cases of elder abuse each year in New York City.
To help combat the problem, the City Council is considering a bill sponsored by James Vacca (D-East Bronx) that would create a toll-free elder abuse hotline, similar to those in place for domestic violence victims. If passed, the law also would require that senior center employees and city-funded senior-service providers get special training to detect abuse.
Similarly, officials at Montefiore said it is important to train medical staff who have direct contact with seniors.
Already, work is underway to expand the program. Workshops will be offered to train medical students from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The goal is to train all 180 medical students who rotate through Montefiore each year.
Researchers also will track the abuse cases to better understand the frequency and types of abuse, with the aim of expanding services in the Bronx and advocating for policy improvements.
The program is funded by a one-year, $150,000 grant from the Caring Commission of UJA-Federation of New York, and could be extended for two more years.
SOURCE: nyDailyNews
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Tuesday, April 22nd 2008,
Doctors at Montefiore Medical Center are getting proactive in the fight against elder abuse.
Montefiore has launched a program to train physicians and caregivers to better detect signs of abuse and to guide victims to helpful social services.
"Our goals are to provide better care for the victims of abuse, to train our physicians and caregivers to identify abuse," said Dr. Laurie Jacobs, Montefiore's chief of geriatric medicine.
The hospital created a special team of physicians from the geriatrics and geriatric psychiatry departments to act as consultants.
"Victims of elder abuse and neglect are often isolated, and physicians are among the only people they may trust or confide in," said Dr. Karin Ouchida. "Most physicians have not been trained to identify elder abuse and neglect and need to acquire [those] skills."
The city's Aging Department estimates there are 50,000 cases of elder abuse each year in New York City.
To help combat the problem, the City Council is considering a bill sponsored by James Vacca (D-East Bronx) that would create a toll-free elder abuse hotline, similar to those in place for domestic violence victims. If passed, the law also would require that senior center employees and city-funded senior-service providers get special training to detect abuse.
Similarly, officials at Montefiore said it is important to train medical staff who have direct contact with seniors.
Already, work is underway to expand the program. Workshops will be offered to train medical students from the Albert Einstein College of Medicine. The goal is to train all 180 medical students who rotate through Montefiore each year.
Researchers also will track the abuse cases to better understand the frequency and types of abuse, with the aim of expanding services in the Bronx and advocating for policy improvements.
The program is funded by a one-year, $150,000 grant from the Caring Commission of UJA-Federation of New York, and could be extended for two more years.
SOURCE: nyDailyNews
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Children Abandon Lonely Seniors (China)
(Article in Chinese)
Chinese policymakers now face a national problem as adult children begin to abandon their older parents. Some describe the young adults raised under the one child policy as self centered and unwilling to support their parents. An increasing number of young people have left their hometowns to take jobs in the cities or overseas. The Statistical Office reported that in 2005, older couples made up 42% of Chinese households. The Chinese Working Committee for Ageing plan to introduce a national family protection system by 2010 that will include teaching Confucianism in schools to instill filial piety. Even now, some government departments have used "filialness" as a criterion for office promotion.
Source: GAA
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Chinese policymakers now face a national problem as adult children begin to abandon their older parents. Some describe the young adults raised under the one child policy as self centered and unwilling to support their parents. An increasing number of young people have left their hometowns to take jobs in the cities or overseas. The Statistical Office reported that in 2005, older couples made up 42% of Chinese households. The Chinese Working Committee for Ageing plan to introduce a national family protection system by 2010 that will include teaching Confucianism in schools to instill filial piety. Even now, some government departments have used "filialness" as a criterion for office promotion.
Source: GAA
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
April 22, 2008
More Senior Citizens Abused (Belgium)
09/04/2008 00:00
BELGIUM - More and more cases of abuse of seniors are coming to light. The number of complaints filed with the Flemish Support Unit for Abuse of Seniors rose sharply last year.
In 2006, only 437 cases were reported, but by 2007 the number had shot up to 516. People in the 80 to 84 age category are the most frequent victims of abuse.
Gerd Callewaert of the Support Unit says that the figures only show the tip of the iceberg.At one time, it was calculated that up to 20 percent of seniors could be the victims of abuse.This corresponds to 280,000 possible victims across Flanders.
Often, the authorities or care workers are not alerted to the abuse because of the taboo that surrounds the entire subject. People around the victims close their eyes to such abuse. In many cases, victims are concerned about reporting abuse out of fear for reprisals.
Who are the abusers?
Most of the victims are women. The abuse is usually perpetrated by a relative.
Sons are the most frequent tormentors of the elderly, but daughters also abuse their parents. In some cases, the abuse is even caused by partners.
Psychological abuse is the most widespread. This is followed by financial abuse and physical abuse. The picture differs from the situation abroad where physical abuse is most common.
The figures also show regional variations. Most of the cases were reported in East Flanders. Only 12 reports of the abuse of Dutch-speaking seniors in Brussels were filed.Problems in the provinces Callewaert points to a recent decision of the former Health care Minister Inge Vervotte.
She released more funds for the Flemish Support Unit at the expense of provincial centres.Callewaert says that as a result more people are aware of his unit, but at a provincial level they often don't know where to turn.
SOURCE: expatica
---------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
BELGIUM - More and more cases of abuse of seniors are coming to light. The number of complaints filed with the Flemish Support Unit for Abuse of Seniors rose sharply last year.
In 2006, only 437 cases were reported, but by 2007 the number had shot up to 516. People in the 80 to 84 age category are the most frequent victims of abuse.
Gerd Callewaert of the Support Unit says that the figures only show the tip of the iceberg.At one time, it was calculated that up to 20 percent of seniors could be the victims of abuse.This corresponds to 280,000 possible victims across Flanders.
Often, the authorities or care workers are not alerted to the abuse because of the taboo that surrounds the entire subject. People around the victims close their eyes to such abuse. In many cases, victims are concerned about reporting abuse out of fear for reprisals.
Who are the abusers?
Most of the victims are women. The abuse is usually perpetrated by a relative.
Sons are the most frequent tormentors of the elderly, but daughters also abuse their parents. In some cases, the abuse is even caused by partners.
Psychological abuse is the most widespread. This is followed by financial abuse and physical abuse. The picture differs from the situation abroad where physical abuse is most common.
The figures also show regional variations. Most of the cases were reported in East Flanders. Only 12 reports of the abuse of Dutch-speaking seniors in Brussels were filed.Problems in the provinces Callewaert points to a recent decision of the former Health care Minister Inge Vervotte.
She released more funds for the Flemish Support Unit at the expense of provincial centres.Callewaert says that as a result more people are aware of his unit, but at a provincial level they often don't know where to turn.
SOURCE: expatica
---------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Nursing Home Banned Over Alleged Elder Abuse (Japan)
Okayama home for elderly to be banned over alleged abuse of seniors
Friday 18th April, 05:09 AM JST
The city government of Tsuyama, Okayama Prefecture, said Thursday it will rescind the license of Group Home Ring as a care-giving institution on April 30 on the grounds that it has abused seniors at the facility. It will be the first time in Japan for a nursing institution to be banned under the Nursing Care Insurance Law due primarily to abuse inflicted on residents, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
Group Home Ring had under its care five female residents in their 70s to 90s, all of whom have lost 4.5 to 17.0 kilograms in weight since checking in. Three of them lost more than 10 kg and in one of the most acute cases, a woman’s weight dropped to 28 kg from 45 kg in 15 months, Tsuyama city officials said.
Yoji Shimada, a city official in charge of senior care matters, told the day’s news conference, ‘‘The group home residents were given scant amounts of food and became malnourished.’’
‘‘The home operator was aware that its charges’ health was suffering but just looked on,’’ Shimada said, implying dereliction of duty on the part of the home.In March, public inspectors found that the home was not giving medical care to underweight patients.Although the home operator said that it would give the patients sufficient care in consultation with their doctors, the inspectors believe no such change occurred.
The group home is denying any wrongdoing.
Among notable cases of abuse committed in the past, a nursing home in Kagoshima Prefecture was found in September 2006 to have had male and female residents take baths together.Also in the same month, about 20 residents of an unlicensed home for the aged in Okayama were found with unexplained bodily injuries.It emerged in February 2007 that a nursing institution in Chiba Prefecture had put their patients in a cage.It was learned in June last year that a female nurse had pried loose the toenails of four senile patients in a hospital of Fukuoka Prefecture.
Abridged
SOURCE: japanToday
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Friday 18th April, 05:09 AM JST
The city government of Tsuyama, Okayama Prefecture, said Thursday it will rescind the license of Group Home Ring as a care-giving institution on April 30 on the grounds that it has abused seniors at the facility. It will be the first time in Japan for a nursing institution to be banned under the Nursing Care Insurance Law due primarily to abuse inflicted on residents, according to the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare.
Group Home Ring had under its care five female residents in their 70s to 90s, all of whom have lost 4.5 to 17.0 kilograms in weight since checking in. Three of them lost more than 10 kg and in one of the most acute cases, a woman’s weight dropped to 28 kg from 45 kg in 15 months, Tsuyama city officials said.
Yoji Shimada, a city official in charge of senior care matters, told the day’s news conference, ‘‘The group home residents were given scant amounts of food and became malnourished.’’
‘‘The home operator was aware that its charges’ health was suffering but just looked on,’’ Shimada said, implying dereliction of duty on the part of the home.In March, public inspectors found that the home was not giving medical care to underweight patients.Although the home operator said that it would give the patients sufficient care in consultation with their doctors, the inspectors believe no such change occurred.
The group home is denying any wrongdoing.
Among notable cases of abuse committed in the past, a nursing home in Kagoshima Prefecture was found in September 2006 to have had male and female residents take baths together.Also in the same month, about 20 residents of an unlicensed home for the aged in Okayama were found with unexplained bodily injuries.It emerged in February 2007 that a nursing institution in Chiba Prefecture had put their patients in a cage.It was learned in June last year that a female nurse had pried loose the toenails of four senile patients in a hospital of Fukuoka Prefecture.
Abridged
SOURCE: japanToday
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
April 21, 2008
Elder Abuse: Fact of Life in Maine
By Mary Keefe
Director, Community Relations, Huntington Common
April 18, 2008
Huntington Common, a Sunrise Senior Living Community in Kennebunk, hosted a conference for elder advocates throughout York County April 9.
More than 60 professionals present, representing a diverse cross section of expertise including law enforcement and public safety, health care professionals, long-term care and assisted living administrators, elder advocates, domestic violence victim advocates, caseworkers/managers, care coordinators, prosecutors, public and private attorneys, social workers, financial institutions, volunteers and others.
The focus was elder abuse and exploitation in our state. Attorney General Steven Rowe opened the meeting with compelling statistics. He defined “elders” as people 65 and older, of which there are around 185,000 in Maine, or more than 14 percent of our state’s population.
Ricker Hamilton, regional manager of Adult Protective Services at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services opened his comments with “this is an ugly subject.”
Hamilton added that sadly, in the vast majority of cases, the perpetrator is a family member or caregiver of the victim. Consider that a 1998 study by the National Center on Elder Abuse found that 47 percent of abusers are adult children, 19 percent are spouses, and another 17 percent are grandchildren and other relatives. This means that only about 16 percent of elder abusers are unrelated to their victims.
Abridged
SOURCE: kennepunkPost
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Director, Community Relations, Huntington Common
April 18, 2008
Huntington Common, a Sunrise Senior Living Community in Kennebunk, hosted a conference for elder advocates throughout York County April 9.
More than 60 professionals present, representing a diverse cross section of expertise including law enforcement and public safety, health care professionals, long-term care and assisted living administrators, elder advocates, domestic violence victim advocates, caseworkers/managers, care coordinators, prosecutors, public and private attorneys, social workers, financial institutions, volunteers and others.
The focus was elder abuse and exploitation in our state. Attorney General Steven Rowe opened the meeting with compelling statistics. He defined “elders” as people 65 and older, of which there are around 185,000 in Maine, or more than 14 percent of our state’s population.
Ricker Hamilton, regional manager of Adult Protective Services at the Maine Department of Health and Human Services opened his comments with “this is an ugly subject.”
Hamilton added that sadly, in the vast majority of cases, the perpetrator is a family member or caregiver of the victim. Consider that a 1998 study by the National Center on Elder Abuse found that 47 percent of abusers are adult children, 19 percent are spouses, and another 17 percent are grandchildren and other relatives. This means that only about 16 percent of elder abusers are unrelated to their victims.
Abridged
SOURCE: kennepunkPost
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
April 20, 2008
Elderly Sell Homes to Cover Care Bills (UK)
Elderly sell homes to cover care bills
By Sarah Womack, Social Affairs Correspondent
Last Updated: 1:52am GMT 17/11/2007
Nearly one in five people has to sell all their assets, including the family home, to fund their place in a care home, according to new research.
Amid the ongoing scandal of people who have worked and saved all their lives giving up everything when they go into a home, it found a chronic lack of awareness of the cost of care.
Six in 10 adults over the age of 50 have no idea how much care homes charge until they are faced with the reality - which is around £25,000 to £30,000 a year.
The research by Partnership, a financial company which offers care fees annuities, says that more than a third (37 per cent) of British adults over 50 have had to put someone into residential care.
The report follows years of concern over the means-test system that makes those who have saved all their lives sacrifice everything when they go into a home - while someone who has never worked or saved gets the same help free.
Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, has hinted that a Government inquiry next year will examine ways of easing the burden on elderly people with savings.
But at the moment, anyone with capital - which includes savings, investments and, in some cases, the value of the person's home - worth more than £21,500, they must pay their own care home bills.
Abridged
SOURCE: theTelegraphUk
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
By Sarah Womack, Social Affairs Correspondent
Last Updated: 1:52am GMT 17/11/2007
Nearly one in five people has to sell all their assets, including the family home, to fund their place in a care home, according to new research.
Amid the ongoing scandal of people who have worked and saved all their lives giving up everything when they go into a home, it found a chronic lack of awareness of the cost of care.
Six in 10 adults over the age of 50 have no idea how much care homes charge until they are faced with the reality - which is around £25,000 to £30,000 a year.
The research by Partnership, a financial company which offers care fees annuities, says that more than a third (37 per cent) of British adults over 50 have had to put someone into residential care.
The report follows years of concern over the means-test system that makes those who have saved all their lives sacrifice everything when they go into a home - while someone who has never worked or saved gets the same help free.
Gordon Brown, the Prime Minister, has hinted that a Government inquiry next year will examine ways of easing the burden on elderly people with savings.
But at the moment, anyone with capital - which includes savings, investments and, in some cases, the value of the person's home - worth more than £21,500, they must pay their own care home bills.
Abridged
SOURCE: theTelegraphUk
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Elderly Abuse Victims Out of Shadows
By Gerry Smith Tribune reporter
11:57 PM CDT, April 9, 2008
They studied bruises, bedsores and bank accounts. But for years investigators struggled to distinguish signs of aging from evidence of a crime, and some wondered how many seniors took secrets of abuse and neglect to their graves. With elder abuse reports on the rise, they're teaming up to share information and expertise on suspicious deaths and find ways to protect the elderly.
Since 2000, elderly-death review teams have been created in Illinois and at least seven other states, bringing together a wide range of agencies and forcing investigators to look at their job in a new light.
"It's a complicated topic for the field to wrap its head around because it's looking at dead people," said Lori Stiegel, an attorney with the American Bar Association's commission on law and aging.
Although short on funding, officials say their success may offer a blueprint for the future. In Kane County, the state's first review team has prompted prosecutors to file criminal charges, legislators to enact a new law and other counties to consider establishing their own teams.
But the review teams often lack funding, with Kane County officials volunteering their time and getting donations from legal settlements.The approach would help in "some cases where there might be a questionable death and we may have information that the coroner or law enforcement may not be privy to," he said.Sharing such information could help solve the growing number of elder abuse cases, officials said. From 1998 to 2007, elder abuse reports in Illinois grew 53 percent, from 6,213 to 9,489.Many more go unreported. Officials estimated that 90,000 Illinois seniors are being abused, according to the state Department on Aging.
Abridged
SOURCE: chicagoTribune
--------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
11:57 PM CDT, April 9, 2008
They studied bruises, bedsores and bank accounts. But for years investigators struggled to distinguish signs of aging from evidence of a crime, and some wondered how many seniors took secrets of abuse and neglect to their graves. With elder abuse reports on the rise, they're teaming up to share information and expertise on suspicious deaths and find ways to protect the elderly.
Since 2000, elderly-death review teams have been created in Illinois and at least seven other states, bringing together a wide range of agencies and forcing investigators to look at their job in a new light.
"It's a complicated topic for the field to wrap its head around because it's looking at dead people," said Lori Stiegel, an attorney with the American Bar Association's commission on law and aging.
Although short on funding, officials say their success may offer a blueprint for the future. In Kane County, the state's first review team has prompted prosecutors to file criminal charges, legislators to enact a new law and other counties to consider establishing their own teams.
But the review teams often lack funding, with Kane County officials volunteering their time and getting donations from legal settlements.The approach would help in "some cases where there might be a questionable death and we may have information that the coroner or law enforcement may not be privy to," he said.Sharing such information could help solve the growing number of elder abuse cases, officials said. From 1998 to 2007, elder abuse reports in Illinois grew 53 percent, from 6,213 to 9,489.Many more go unreported. Officials estimated that 90,000 Illinois seniors are being abused, according to the state Department on Aging.
Abridged
SOURCE: chicagoTribune
--------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
April 19, 2008
Guardianship Abuse: The Clara Fernandez Case
by Rhonda Linseman-Saunders
Key West The Newspaper
THE NAME OF THE SCAM IS THE GUARDIANSHIP SYSTEM. LAWYERS HIRE OTHER LAWYERS TO HELP “MANAGE” AN ELDERLY PERSON’S ESTATE.AND THEY ALL BILL HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AN HOUR . . . UNTIL ALL THE ASSETS ARE GONE.
AND THE JUDGES LET IT HAPPEN
Clara Fernandez, now 89 and disabled, is quickly being fleeced of all the Fernandez family assets, once estimated to be worth several million dollars. Ostensibly insensitive judges have allowed a series of apparently greedy locallawyers, purporting to act in Clara’s best interest, to rack up tens of thousands of dollars in fees to seemingly do nothing except suck up what is left of Clara’s estate. Son Fighting an Uphill Battle to Save His Elderly Mother’s Estate from the Lawyers.
Ray appealed to the State Department of Children & Families (DCF) office in Polk County, initially to no avail. But eventually, he said, he was able to convince the DCF director there to refer the case to the State Attorney. Ironically, however, when the DCF director suddenly died, so did the case.
Clara Fernandez’ future remains very uncertain.
Abridged
SOURCE: elderabusehelp
---------------------------------------------------
It is amazing that this case is still ongoing, after several years. The guardianship system, originally set up to better protect seniors, must have benefitted many individuals. However, when there are loopholes in the system, that allow the system to sanction abuse of the very people it is supposed to protect, something MUST be done URGENTLY to stop the abuses.
Clara is now 89 years of age. When will she be able to feel safe from "harassments" from guardians and lawyers, who are "syphoning off" her hard-earned assets?
Is there a judicial conscience?
Why do the American Bar Association allow this case, and many other similar cases to drag on and on. Often, the subjects of these cases die before any resolution; that can be considered satisfactory to the family members.
Is the legal professional body proud of their members involved in such cases?
There is now a national organisation: StopGuardianAbuse.org set up to publicize this issue. and to fight to stop this type 0f abuse.
How many families have to go through this nightmare, before this legally sanctioned ABUSE is stopped?
Guardian Abuse is not listed in any organizations relating to Elder Abuse Awareness/Prevention. IT SHOULD.
COMMENTS Received:
1) Anonymous said...
Oh my God! I read about this a year or so ago and it is just getting out to the public press?This is an insane world we live in, when elderly women are abused and robbed!I will contact The Fernandez family, and offer any assistance I can! I urge others to do so as well!!~ Kim - N.Y.C.
April 19, 2008 12:55 PM
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Key West The Newspaper
THE NAME OF THE SCAM IS THE GUARDIANSHIP SYSTEM. LAWYERS HIRE OTHER LAWYERS TO HELP “MANAGE” AN ELDERLY PERSON’S ESTATE.AND THEY ALL BILL HUNDREDS OF DOLLARS AN HOUR . . . UNTIL ALL THE ASSETS ARE GONE.
AND THE JUDGES LET IT HAPPEN
Clara Fernandez, now 89 and disabled, is quickly being fleeced of all the Fernandez family assets, once estimated to be worth several million dollars. Ostensibly insensitive judges have allowed a series of apparently greedy locallawyers, purporting to act in Clara’s best interest, to rack up tens of thousands of dollars in fees to seemingly do nothing except suck up what is left of Clara’s estate. Son Fighting an Uphill Battle to Save His Elderly Mother’s Estate from the Lawyers.
Ray appealed to the State Department of Children & Families (DCF) office in Polk County, initially to no avail. But eventually, he said, he was able to convince the DCF director there to refer the case to the State Attorney. Ironically, however, when the DCF director suddenly died, so did the case.
Clara Fernandez’ future remains very uncertain.
Abridged
SOURCE: elderabusehelp
---------------------------------------------------
It is amazing that this case is still ongoing, after several years. The guardianship system, originally set up to better protect seniors, must have benefitted many individuals. However, when there are loopholes in the system, that allow the system to sanction abuse of the very people it is supposed to protect, something MUST be done URGENTLY to stop the abuses.
Clara is now 89 years of age. When will she be able to feel safe from "harassments" from guardians and lawyers, who are "syphoning off" her hard-earned assets?
Is there a judicial conscience?
Why do the American Bar Association allow this case, and many other similar cases to drag on and on. Often, the subjects of these cases die before any resolution; that can be considered satisfactory to the family members.
Is the legal professional body proud of their members involved in such cases?
There is now a national organisation: StopGuardianAbuse.org set up to publicize this issue. and to fight to stop this type 0f abuse.
How many families have to go through this nightmare, before this legally sanctioned ABUSE is stopped?
Guardian Abuse is not listed in any organizations relating to Elder Abuse Awareness/Prevention. IT SHOULD.
COMMENTS Received:
1) Anonymous said...
Oh my God! I read about this a year or so ago and it is just getting out to the public press?This is an insane world we live in, when elderly women are abused and robbed!I will contact The Fernandez family, and offer any assistance I can! I urge others to do so as well!!~ Kim - N.Y.C.
April 19, 2008 12:55 PM
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Abuse of Residents in Care Home Exposed (UK)
Abuse care home exposed by Daily Record to shut
Mar 31 2008 By Annie Brown
A CARE home exposed by a Record investigation for abusing elderly residents is to close.
Davenport Nursing Home has such an appalling reputation and is in such a poor state of repair that residents are rejecting offers to go there.
Owners Fours Seasons have refused to give it the cash injection it needs to get it up to an acceptable standard.
And watchdogs have condemned it for being smelly, filthy and poorly staffed.
Letters went out to the remaining 47 residents at the start of February, telling them they would have to find alternative accommodation before the May closure.
And staff have been told they will have to move to another Four Seasons home or be out of a job.
Davenport became the source of a scandal after our reporter uncovered verbal and psychological abuse at the home. Posing as a care assistant, they filmed the workers taunting and screaming at elderly residents.
The Four Seasons spokesman added: "We took the decision to close Davenport. The building and infrastructure require significant investment to raise the facilities to acceptable, modern standards and it is not financially practical to spend the money needed.
"We are working closely with Glasgow City Council and the Care Commission to support the residents and their families in finding alternative care."
Abridged
SOURCE: dailyRecord
---------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Mar 31 2008 By Annie Brown
A CARE home exposed by a Record investigation for abusing elderly residents is to close.
Davenport Nursing Home has such an appalling reputation and is in such a poor state of repair that residents are rejecting offers to go there.
Owners Fours Seasons have refused to give it the cash injection it needs to get it up to an acceptable standard.
And watchdogs have condemned it for being smelly, filthy and poorly staffed.
Letters went out to the remaining 47 residents at the start of February, telling them they would have to find alternative accommodation before the May closure.
And staff have been told they will have to move to another Four Seasons home or be out of a job.
Davenport became the source of a scandal after our reporter uncovered verbal and psychological abuse at the home. Posing as a care assistant, they filmed the workers taunting and screaming at elderly residents.
The Four Seasons spokesman added: "We took the decision to close Davenport. The building and infrastructure require significant investment to raise the facilities to acceptable, modern standards and it is not financially practical to spend the money needed.
"We are working closely with Glasgow City Council and the Care Commission to support the residents and their families in finding alternative care."
Abridged
SOURCE: dailyRecord
---------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Fight for Nursing Home Fees Goes to High Court (Wales)
Fight for nursing home fees goes to High Court
Apr 4 2008
by Robin Turner, Western Mail
THE Government could be forced to return hundreds of millions of pounds charged for nursing home fees if two High Court test cases involving Welsh pensioners are successful.
Lawyers for the pensioners are arguing that care in nursing homes should have been given free of charge.
Often, pensioners or others going into care have to sell their homes, use their life savings or rely on money from relatives to pay fees.
Currently, only those who are extremely ill, or have little or no savings, receive free care.
Now, in a group action, around 400 individuals are suing various health authorities across Britain for their money back.
The group action is being led by Cardiff-based Hugh James Solicitors.
The Welsh law firm is also behind the two test cases being brought on behalf of relatives of the late Marjorie Eyton-Jones of North Wales and Evan Jones of the Swansea Valley.
The cases raise in stark form the burning issue over where the dividing line lies between means-tested “social care”, for which local authorities levy charges, and “continuing health care”, which must be provided “free to all” on the NHS.
At the preliminary hearing Mr Weir told Mr Justice Eady that hundreds of elderly people should have been assessed as so frail and mentally unwell they were entitled to free NHS health care.
Outside court, lawyers confirmed that, if the case eventually succeeds, thousands more care home residents would be entitled to a repayment of fees they have already run up.
However the various primary care trusts involved insisted at the hearing that the claims have wrongly been brought in the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court, and should instead be decided by “judicial review”, effectively a different High Court jurisdiction.
Abridged
SOURCE: icWales
-----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Apr 4 2008
by Robin Turner, Western Mail
THE Government could be forced to return hundreds of millions of pounds charged for nursing home fees if two High Court test cases involving Welsh pensioners are successful.
Lawyers for the pensioners are arguing that care in nursing homes should have been given free of charge.
Often, pensioners or others going into care have to sell their homes, use their life savings or rely on money from relatives to pay fees.
Currently, only those who are extremely ill, or have little or no savings, receive free care.
Now, in a group action, around 400 individuals are suing various health authorities across Britain for their money back.
The group action is being led by Cardiff-based Hugh James Solicitors.
The Welsh law firm is also behind the two test cases being brought on behalf of relatives of the late Marjorie Eyton-Jones of North Wales and Evan Jones of the Swansea Valley.
The cases raise in stark form the burning issue over where the dividing line lies between means-tested “social care”, for which local authorities levy charges, and “continuing health care”, which must be provided “free to all” on the NHS.
At the preliminary hearing Mr Weir told Mr Justice Eady that hundreds of elderly people should have been assessed as so frail and mentally unwell they were entitled to free NHS health care.
Outside court, lawyers confirmed that, if the case eventually succeeds, thousands more care home residents would be entitled to a repayment of fees they have already run up.
However the various primary care trusts involved insisted at the hearing that the claims have wrongly been brought in the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court, and should instead be decided by “judicial review”, effectively a different High Court jurisdiction.
Abridged
SOURCE: icWales
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Special Unit Launched to Protect Seniors ( USA)
Special Will County unit launched to protect seniors from financial predators
30 cases have been investigated since the beginning of the year
By Alicia Fabbre Special to the Tribune
8:38 PM CDT, April 16, 2008
Will County prosecutors have begun 30 investigations since launching a new unit aimed at protecting senior citizens against identity theft, loan fraud and other forms of financial exploitation, State's Atty. James Glasgow said Wednesday.
Speaking before a group of senior citizens, Glasgow and prosecutors in the unit said they wanted to get the word out that financial crimes against the elderly would be specially reviewed and prosecuted.
The unit started earlier this year, in part, as a result of the office's prosecution against former Joliet Fire Chief Joseph Drick and his wife, Cheri. The Dricks were convicted of stealing more than $200,000 from an elderly woman they had befriended. The couple were sentenced to 8 years in prison.
Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune
Abridged
SOURCE: chicagoTribune
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30 cases have been investigated since the beginning of the year
By Alicia Fabbre Special to the Tribune
8:38 PM CDT, April 16, 2008
Will County prosecutors have begun 30 investigations since launching a new unit aimed at protecting senior citizens against identity theft, loan fraud and other forms of financial exploitation, State's Atty. James Glasgow said Wednesday.
Speaking before a group of senior citizens, Glasgow and prosecutors in the unit said they wanted to get the word out that financial crimes against the elderly would be specially reviewed and prosecuted.
The unit started earlier this year, in part, as a result of the office's prosecution against former Joliet Fire Chief Joseph Drick and his wife, Cheri. The Dricks were convicted of stealing more than $200,000 from an elderly woman they had befriended. The couple were sentenced to 8 years in prison.
Copyright © 2008, Chicago Tribune
Abridged
SOURCE: chicagoTribune
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
April 18, 2008
Advocates Encourage Reporting of Elder Abuse (USA)
Advocates encourage reporting of elder abuse
By Debbie Gilbert
dgilbert@gainesvilletimes.com
POSTED April 16, 2008 11:50 p.m.
In observance of National Victims’ Rights Week, the Georgia Department of Human Resources is urging people to report suspected cases of elder abuse.
Coincidentally, the initiative comes one week after a Gainesville man and his girlfriend were arrested and charged with abusing the man’s 79-year-old mother.
Gladys Smallwood died April 6 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, about six weeks after she was removed from the Hazel Street home of her son Larry Smallwood. Authorities said the woman was found suffering from malnutrition and lying in her own waste.
Larry Smallwood, 56, and Brenda Ivey, 46, were charged with felony cruelty to a person older than 65. Hall County Sheriff’s Maj. Jeff Strickland has said additional charges could be filed based on results of an autopsy.
The couple were also charged with forgery in connection with cashing two of Gladys Smallwood’s Social Security checks. And Ivey had a prior charge of simple battery, for allegedly hitting Gladys Smallwood in the face during an argument about food in July.
"If a 3-year-old gets smacked around, people say, ‘They can’t defend themselves,’" she said. "But if it’s an 85-year-old, they say, ‘Well, that’s a grown-up.’ People don’t want to get involved."
But if the frail elderly were able to defend themselves, there wouldn’t be state laws set up to protect them. Freeman said agencies need the public’s help in detecting cases of abuse.
"Everybody needs to be vigilant," she said. "And if you’re not sure who to call, you can always call the police.’
Abridged
SOURCE: gainsvilleTimes
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
By Debbie Gilbert
dgilbert@gainesvilletimes.com
POSTED April 16, 2008 11:50 p.m.
In observance of National Victims’ Rights Week, the Georgia Department of Human Resources is urging people to report suspected cases of elder abuse.
Coincidentally, the initiative comes one week after a Gainesville man and his girlfriend were arrested and charged with abusing the man’s 79-year-old mother.
Gladys Smallwood died April 6 at Northeast Georgia Medical Center, about six weeks after she was removed from the Hazel Street home of her son Larry Smallwood. Authorities said the woman was found suffering from malnutrition and lying in her own waste.
Larry Smallwood, 56, and Brenda Ivey, 46, were charged with felony cruelty to a person older than 65. Hall County Sheriff’s Maj. Jeff Strickland has said additional charges could be filed based on results of an autopsy.
The couple were also charged with forgery in connection with cashing two of Gladys Smallwood’s Social Security checks. And Ivey had a prior charge of simple battery, for allegedly hitting Gladys Smallwood in the face during an argument about food in July.
"If a 3-year-old gets smacked around, people say, ‘They can’t defend themselves,’" she said. "But if it’s an 85-year-old, they say, ‘Well, that’s a grown-up.’ People don’t want to get involved."
But if the frail elderly were able to defend themselves, there wouldn’t be state laws set up to protect them. Freeman said agencies need the public’s help in detecting cases of abuse.
"Everybody needs to be vigilant," she said. "And if you’re not sure who to call, you can always call the police.’
Abridged
SOURCE: gainsvilleTimes
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
April 17, 2008
Daughter Jailed for Elder Abuse of Mother (USA)
The 55-year-old Moorpark woman has been sentenced to 123 days in Ventura County jail for preying on her elderly mother.
Prosecutors say Radys pleaded guilty to insurance fraud, grand theft, mental abuse and financial elder abuse with a special allegation of a loss over $150,000.
Abridged
SOURCE: cbs47TV
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Prosecutors say Radys pleaded guilty to insurance fraud, grand theft, mental abuse and financial elder abuse with a special allegation of a loss over $150,000.
Abridged
SOURCE: cbs47TV
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Woman Charged With Elder Abuse
by Johnnie Braxton, Wilmington Bureau Chief
NORTH WILMINGTON, Del. - April 16, 2008 (WPVI)
New Castle County Police arrested 46-year-old Louanna Gary, of the 2200 block of Rosewood Drive, in the community of Lancashire. She is charged with intentionally abusing an infirmed adult and causing harm to an 82-year-old male, for whom she was supposed to be providing care.
A joint investigation between the county and Attorney General's Office has revealed Gary has been responsible for taking care of the victim for the past two years. In addition to his poor medical condition, the unkempt condition of the home was also unhealthy.
Gary was arrested late Tuesday. She was arraigned and committed to the Women's Correctional Institute after failing to post $5,000 secured bail. The victim, who had been hospitalized since February 20, died this past weekend. Additional charges are pending.
(Copyright ©2008 WPVI-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
Abridged
SOURCE: abclocal
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
NORTH WILMINGTON, Del. - April 16, 2008 (WPVI)
New Castle County Police arrested 46-year-old Louanna Gary, of the 2200 block of Rosewood Drive, in the community of Lancashire. She is charged with intentionally abusing an infirmed adult and causing harm to an 82-year-old male, for whom she was supposed to be providing care.
A joint investigation between the county and Attorney General's Office has revealed Gary has been responsible for taking care of the victim for the past two years. In addition to his poor medical condition, the unkempt condition of the home was also unhealthy.
Gary was arrested late Tuesday. She was arraigned and committed to the Women's Correctional Institute after failing to post $5,000 secured bail. The victim, who had been hospitalized since February 20, died this past weekend. Additional charges are pending.
(Copyright ©2008 WPVI-TV/DT. All Rights Reserved.)
Abridged
SOURCE: abclocal
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
AGE Calls for EU Strategy to Combat Elder Abuse (Europe)
PRESS RELEASE Brussels,
28 March 2008
AGE calls for EU Strategy to combat elder abuse and
ensure quality long term care for the elderly
At a conference organised by the European Commission on Protecting the dignity of older persons the prevention of elder abuse and neglect on Monday 17 March 2008, AGE called on Commissioner Spidla and the Member States to adopt an EU Strategy to prevent elder abuse and promote quality long term care services for the elderly.
A year ago, Commissioner Spidla, you promised AGE General Assembly to do something to prevent elder abuse and you have kept your promise. On behalf of AGE members I would like to thank you, but the work is not over, it is only starting , said Anne-Sophie Parent, Director of AGE at the closing panel of the conference.
The high level of participants and the presence of several ministers at the conference on elder abuse confirmed what the recent Eurobarometer showed, i.e. that elder abuse is a serious concern for a majority of citizens across the EU and the EU should take action.
We recommend to the Commission to use the discussion paper presented to the conference and turn each of the proposed actions into a real commitment. The Commission should propose to launch a European Strategy to combat elder abuse and ensure quality care for the elderly , added Parent. This would link perfectly with what Minister Larsson of Sweden proposed on behalf of the next Presidency trio.
AGE feels that the issue of quality elder care and the fight against elder abuse should be an integral part of the renewed Social Agenda and should be addressed in the framework of EU Demography cycle.
About AGE
AGE - the European Older People's Platform is a European network of organisations of people aged 50+ and represents over 22 million older people in Europe. AGE aims to voice and promote the interests of the 150 million inhabitants aged 50+ in the European
SOURCE: agePlatform
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
28 March 2008
AGE calls for EU Strategy to combat elder abuse and
ensure quality long term care for the elderly
At a conference organised by the European Commission on Protecting the dignity of older persons the prevention of elder abuse and neglect on Monday 17 March 2008, AGE called on Commissioner Spidla and the Member States to adopt an EU Strategy to prevent elder abuse and promote quality long term care services for the elderly.
A year ago, Commissioner Spidla, you promised AGE General Assembly to do something to prevent elder abuse and you have kept your promise. On behalf of AGE members I would like to thank you, but the work is not over, it is only starting , said Anne-Sophie Parent, Director of AGE at the closing panel of the conference.
The high level of participants and the presence of several ministers at the conference on elder abuse confirmed what the recent Eurobarometer showed, i.e. that elder abuse is a serious concern for a majority of citizens across the EU and the EU should take action.
We recommend to the Commission to use the discussion paper presented to the conference and turn each of the proposed actions into a real commitment. The Commission should propose to launch a European Strategy to combat elder abuse and ensure quality care for the elderly , added Parent. This would link perfectly with what Minister Larsson of Sweden proposed on behalf of the next Presidency trio.
AGE feels that the issue of quality elder care and the fight against elder abuse should be an integral part of the renewed Social Agenda and should be addressed in the framework of EU Demography cycle.
About AGE
AGE - the European Older People's Platform is a European network of organisations of people aged 50+ and represents over 22 million older people in Europe. AGE aims to voice and promote the interests of the 150 million inhabitants aged 50+ in the European
SOURCE: agePlatform
--------------------------------------------------
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Cautious Support for Age-Care Plan ( Australia)
Aged and Community Services Far North Coast chairman Pip Carter.
By ANDY PARKS
andy.parks@northernstar.com.au
April 17, 2008
AGED-CARE providers across the Northern Rivers have given cautious approval to a Federal Government plan to provide interest-free loans to increase the number of beds in 'high need' areas.
Pip Carter, chairman of Aged and Community Services Far North Coast, said yesterday the move was 'a great initiative' and 'welcomed by the industry'.
The announcement by the Federal Minister for Ageing and Richmond MP, Justine Elliott, allocates $300 million in loans to aged-care facilities that meet the eligibility criteria.
However, Mr Carter said that 40 per cent of aged-care facilities were currently running at a loss and that a report by Price Waterhouse estimated $5.6 billion would be required in capital funding over the next 20 years as Australia's population aged.
"So on that level it's a drop in the ocean," he said.
A spokesperson for Catholic Healthcare said the new loan scheme was 'a welcome recognition of the inadequacy of current funding for residential aged care'.
"It is only a partial short-term response applying only to selected parts of Australia. The scheme falls short of what is required to ensure the provision of quality aged care in the long term," the spokesperson said.
The statement comes on top of an announcement earlier this week of an additional 2091 aged-care beds worth $74.8 million a year in recurrent funding for New South Wales.
Julia Bellamy, regional director of United Care Ageing for the North Coast, said the region had been identified as an area of high need, in particular Tweed Heads, Ballina and Maclean.
"This is extremely positive for us and it will increase residential care options in those areas," she said.
Ms Bellamy said the Government needed to focus more on the mix of services for the elderly, particularly those who wanted to stay in their own homes.
SOURCE: northernStar
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By ANDY PARKS
andy.parks@northernstar.com.au
April 17, 2008
AGED-CARE providers across the Northern Rivers have given cautious approval to a Federal Government plan to provide interest-free loans to increase the number of beds in 'high need' areas.
Pip Carter, chairman of Aged and Community Services Far North Coast, said yesterday the move was 'a great initiative' and 'welcomed by the industry'.
The announcement by the Federal Minister for Ageing and Richmond MP, Justine Elliott, allocates $300 million in loans to aged-care facilities that meet the eligibility criteria.
However, Mr Carter said that 40 per cent of aged-care facilities were currently running at a loss and that a report by Price Waterhouse estimated $5.6 billion would be required in capital funding over the next 20 years as Australia's population aged.
"So on that level it's a drop in the ocean," he said.
A spokesperson for Catholic Healthcare said the new loan scheme was 'a welcome recognition of the inadequacy of current funding for residential aged care'.
"It is only a partial short-term response applying only to selected parts of Australia. The scheme falls short of what is required to ensure the provision of quality aged care in the long term," the spokesperson said.
The statement comes on top of an announcement earlier this week of an additional 2091 aged-care beds worth $74.8 million a year in recurrent funding for New South Wales.
Julia Bellamy, regional director of United Care Ageing for the North Coast, said the region had been identified as an area of high need, in particular Tweed Heads, Ballina and Maclean.
"This is extremely positive for us and it will increase residential care options in those areas," she said.
Ms Bellamy said the Government needed to focus more on the mix of services for the elderly, particularly those who wanted to stay in their own homes.
SOURCE: northernStar
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Florida Bills to Better Protect Seniors
Florida bills to protect seniors target assisted living, annuities
By Diane C. Lade
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
April 16, 2008
Florida senior citizens could receive more consumer protections regarding their investments and assisted-living housing under two measures working their way through the state Legislature during its ongoing session.
One proposal would increase criminal penalties and fines for financial services sales agents who knowingly sell seniors unsuitable annuities, or who prey on those with dementia. The bill also takes a harder look at some of the new titles salespeople claim give them special expertise in managing retirees' money.
The second measure would increase background checks for both residents and employees of assisted-living facilities, as well as give stricter guidelines for discharging residents.
Both measures have passed the Senate but still are moving through House committees, where they could be altered.
Abridged
SOURCE: sunsentinel
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By Diane C. Lade
South Florida Sun-Sentinel
April 16, 2008
Florida senior citizens could receive more consumer protections regarding their investments and assisted-living housing under two measures working their way through the state Legislature during its ongoing session.
One proposal would increase criminal penalties and fines for financial services sales agents who knowingly sell seniors unsuitable annuities, or who prey on those with dementia. The bill also takes a harder look at some of the new titles salespeople claim give them special expertise in managing retirees' money.
The second measure would increase background checks for both residents and employees of assisted-living facilities, as well as give stricter guidelines for discharging residents.
Both measures have passed the Senate but still are moving through House committees, where they could be altered.
Abridged
SOURCE: sunsentinel
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Elderly Care: Expert Panel Urges Improvements
Expert panel urges improvements in elderly care
Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:52pm EDT
By Will Dunham
WASHINGTON (Reuters)
The U.S. health care workforce is drastically unprepared for the coming surge in the number of elderly people, and urgent steps are needed to ensure they get the care they will need, experts said on Monday.
An Institute of Medicine report recommended a series of steps to bolster the number and training of health care workers who care for the elderly amid concern they will be swamped as the 78 million baby boomers begin hitting age 65 in 2011.
"The impending crisis, which has been foreseen for decades, is now upon us," an institute panel headed by John Rowe, a professor of health policy and management at Columbia University in New York, wrote in the report.
The committee called on the federal government to require more training for direct-care workers -- nurse's aides, home health aides and personal care aides who do a lot of the hard work in caring for older people.
It urged the Medicare health program for the elderly to raise reimbursement rates for services by geriatric specialists to attract and keep people in geriatric specialties.
And the panel said medical schools and health care training programs should expand course work and training in treating the elderly. It recommended that hospitals embrace training of residents in all settings where the elderly receive care, including nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
The nonprofit, independent institute provides advice to U.S. policymakers.
The panel urged that the federally required minimum number of hours of training for direct-care workers be raised from 75 to at least 120.
"Health care professionals like nurse's aides and home health aides -- in California and other states -- have lower requirements for training than dog groomers and crossing guards," Rowe said.
"Recruitment and retention is especially dire among direct-care workers. They receive low wages and few benefits, they have high physical and emotional demands placed on them, and they are at significant risk for on-the-job injuries," according to the report.
(Editing by Maggie Fox and David Wiessler)
Abridged
SOURCE: reuters
----------------------------------------------------
Other countries, must also take note of the recommendations and findings of this report. "Be Prepared", as the ageing population issue is a global problem, not just one for the USA or UK. I believe that specifics may differ, but the main message should be the same. Act now - regarding the care of the elderly.
Going by past experiences, by the time current politicians and law makers get something in place for better care of seniors, they may be the ones requiring those same laws to protect them.
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Mon Apr 14, 2008 1:52pm EDT
By Will Dunham
WASHINGTON (Reuters)
The U.S. health care workforce is drastically unprepared for the coming surge in the number of elderly people, and urgent steps are needed to ensure they get the care they will need, experts said on Monday.
An Institute of Medicine report recommended a series of steps to bolster the number and training of health care workers who care for the elderly amid concern they will be swamped as the 78 million baby boomers begin hitting age 65 in 2011.
"The impending crisis, which has been foreseen for decades, is now upon us," an institute panel headed by John Rowe, a professor of health policy and management at Columbia University in New York, wrote in the report.
The committee called on the federal government to require more training for direct-care workers -- nurse's aides, home health aides and personal care aides who do a lot of the hard work in caring for older people.
It urged the Medicare health program for the elderly to raise reimbursement rates for services by geriatric specialists to attract and keep people in geriatric specialties.
And the panel said medical schools and health care training programs should expand course work and training in treating the elderly. It recommended that hospitals embrace training of residents in all settings where the elderly receive care, including nursing homes and assisted-living facilities.
The nonprofit, independent institute provides advice to U.S. policymakers.
The panel urged that the federally required minimum number of hours of training for direct-care workers be raised from 75 to at least 120.
"Health care professionals like nurse's aides and home health aides -- in California and other states -- have lower requirements for training than dog groomers and crossing guards," Rowe said.
"Recruitment and retention is especially dire among direct-care workers. They receive low wages and few benefits, they have high physical and emotional demands placed on them, and they are at significant risk for on-the-job injuries," according to the report.
(Editing by Maggie Fox and David Wiessler)
Abridged
SOURCE: reuters
----------------------------------------------------
Other countries, must also take note of the recommendations and findings of this report. "Be Prepared", as the ageing population issue is a global problem, not just one for the USA or UK. I believe that specifics may differ, but the main message should be the same. Act now - regarding the care of the elderly.
Going by past experiences, by the time current politicians and law makers get something in place for better care of seniors, they may be the ones requiring those same laws to protect them.
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
April 16, 2008
Woman Accused of Stealing from Charlton Heston - (L.A. USA)
LA woman accused of stealing from Charlton Heston
Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:22pm EDT
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - An employee at a Los Angeles business management firm was charged on Monday with embezzling more than $700,000 from her clients, including actor Charlton Heston who died earlier this month.
Sharon Walker, 56, was charged with two counts of grand theft by embezzlement for forging her clients' signatures to pay her own credit card bills, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office said in a statement.
Walker is accused of stealing some $50,000 from Oscar winner Heston and his wife, Lydia, and $150,000 from Emmy winning television writer and producer Stephen Cannell and his wife, Marcia, the District Attorney's office said.
If convicted, Walker faces 11 years in prison.
(Editing by Dan Whitcomb)
Abridged
SOURCE: reuters
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Mon Apr 14, 2008 7:22pm EDT
LOS ANGELES (Reuters) - An employee at a Los Angeles business management firm was charged on Monday with embezzling more than $700,000 from her clients, including actor Charlton Heston who died earlier this month.
Sharon Walker, 56, was charged with two counts of grand theft by embezzlement for forging her clients' signatures to pay her own credit card bills, the Los Angeles County District Attorney's office said in a statement.
Walker is accused of stealing some $50,000 from Oscar winner Heston and his wife, Lydia, and $150,000 from Emmy winning television writer and producer Stephen Cannell and his wife, Marcia, the District Attorney's office said.
If convicted, Walker faces 11 years in prison.
(Editing by Dan Whitcomb)
Abridged
SOURCE: reuters
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April 14, 2008
Program to Tackle Elder Abuse and Seniors Care (Canada)
New Horizons for Seniors Program
Across Canada, the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) helps to ensure that seniors are able to benefit from and contribute to the quality of life in their communities through their social participation and active living. This is achieved through funding of community projects that help seniors share their skills, wisdom and experience to benefit others, while reducing their social isolation.
As a result, the Program now offers three types of funding to organizations:
Pre-existing component
1. Community Participation and Leadership Funding: This funding supports community-based projects across Canada. The projects encourage seniors to continue to play an important role in their communities by helping those in need, providing leadership and sharing their knowledge and skills with others.
New funding components
2. Capital Assistance Funding: This funding will help non-profit organizations that need to upgrade facilities or equipment used for existing seniors' programs and activities. It will enable seniors to continue to lead active lives by participating in existing programs and activities in their communities.
3. Elder Abuse Awareness Funding: This funding will help non-profit organizations and coalitions raise awareness of the abuse of older adults on a national or regional level. Through this funding, new educational and awareness resources about elder abuse will be available to improve quality of life, safety and security for seniors.
Abridged
SOURCE: marketWire
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Across Canada, the New Horizons for Seniors Program (NHSP) helps to ensure that seniors are able to benefit from and contribute to the quality of life in their communities through their social participation and active living. This is achieved through funding of community projects that help seniors share their skills, wisdom and experience to benefit others, while reducing their social isolation.
As a result, the Program now offers three types of funding to organizations:
Pre-existing component
1. Community Participation and Leadership Funding: This funding supports community-based projects across Canada. The projects encourage seniors to continue to play an important role in their communities by helping those in need, providing leadership and sharing their knowledge and skills with others.
New funding components
2. Capital Assistance Funding: This funding will help non-profit organizations that need to upgrade facilities or equipment used for existing seniors' programs and activities. It will enable seniors to continue to lead active lives by participating in existing programs and activities in their communities.
3. Elder Abuse Awareness Funding: This funding will help non-profit organizations and coalitions raise awareness of the abuse of older adults on a national or regional level. Through this funding, new educational and awareness resources about elder abuse will be available to improve quality of life, safety and security for seniors.
Abridged
SOURCE: marketWire
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Dignity Guardians in UK
Action on Elder Abuse becomes a Dignity Guardian
Before his promotion the then Care Services Minister, Liam Byrne, established a new group of dignity guardians to help him toughen the regulation of social care. Action on Elder Abuse was identified as one of these new Guardians..
The announcement came as the Minister reached the mid way point of his series of regional listening events with older people and as AEA released the results of a government funded project to map abuse of vulnerable adults in England.
Announcing the new group of dignity guardians at an Action on Elder Abuse conference at the University of Warwick on Monday 13 March, Liam Byrne said: "If we are to achieve the ambition set out in our recent white paper to help people maintain their dignity by being active and independent, then we need to ensure our regulation and standards are of the highest quality.
That is why I am bringing together this new group of dignity guardians. Too often older people are not treated with the dignity they deserve. We need to tackle poor quality services, not tolerate them."
The dignity guardians group and listening events are the latest initiatives in a series of measures designed to drive up standards of care and tackle elder abuse. These include: the registration of care workers, a new vetting and barring scheme aimed at ensuring abusers can’t work with vulnerable adults and giving the Commission for Social Care Inspection new freedoms to increase spot checks on the worst care homes.
Abridged
SOURCE: elderAbusedotorg
---------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Before his promotion the then Care Services Minister, Liam Byrne, established a new group of dignity guardians to help him toughen the regulation of social care. Action on Elder Abuse was identified as one of these new Guardians..
The announcement came as the Minister reached the mid way point of his series of regional listening events with older people and as AEA released the results of a government funded project to map abuse of vulnerable adults in England.
Announcing the new group of dignity guardians at an Action on Elder Abuse conference at the University of Warwick on Monday 13 March, Liam Byrne said: "If we are to achieve the ambition set out in our recent white paper to help people maintain their dignity by being active and independent, then we need to ensure our regulation and standards are of the highest quality.
That is why I am bringing together this new group of dignity guardians. Too often older people are not treated with the dignity they deserve. We need to tackle poor quality services, not tolerate them."
The dignity guardians group and listening events are the latest initiatives in a series of measures designed to drive up standards of care and tackle elder abuse. These include: the registration of care workers, a new vetting and barring scheme aimed at ensuring abusers can’t work with vulnerable adults and giving the Commission for Social Care Inspection new freedoms to increase spot checks on the worst care homes.
Abridged
SOURCE: elderAbusedotorg
---------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Elder Abuse Up in State (Mass. USA)
Funding falls short for service agencies
By Jennifer Fenn Lefferts
Globe Correspondent / April 6, 2008
The number of elderly residents being abused or neglected is on the rise in Massachusetts, and advocates for the elderly say the state is not properly funding a program that was designed to protect vulnerable seniors.
Elder service agencies northwest of Boston say they do not have enough money to run the state-sanctioned protective services program, so they are forced to pull funds from other important programs. As state officials work on next year's budget, advocates for seniors are putting on a full-court press to draw attention to the problem.
One of the funding problems stems from the fact that the Legislature has broadened the scope of the program but has not increased its funding, said Rosanne DiStefano, director of Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley.
The program was created to investigate abuse. Later self-neglect was added, and most recently financial exploitation, DiStefano said.
Given the scope of the program, the agencies said it is not unusual to receive 90 to 100 new reports each month.
"The growth in reports has been tremendous, and we take every report very seriously," DiStefano said.
DiStefano cited a case involving a 73-year-old widow who was living alone. Her landlord had noticed that several of her children stayed with her periodically, usually when her Social Security check was due to arrive. After the check arrived, they would borrow money and disappear for several weeks.
As a result, she fell behind in her rent and utilities and she was not able to afford her medications and groceries. Without her medications, she would get disoriented and wander around her apartment building.
DiStefano said the agency worked with the woman and her family, and made it possible for her to stay in her home.
"The stories with protective services are heart-wrenching and horrible," DiStefano said. "It's often a topic people won't want to admit exists."
Abridged
SOURCE: bostonGlobe
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More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
By Jennifer Fenn Lefferts
Globe Correspondent / April 6, 2008
The number of elderly residents being abused or neglected is on the rise in Massachusetts, and advocates for the elderly say the state is not properly funding a program that was designed to protect vulnerable seniors.
Elder service agencies northwest of Boston say they do not have enough money to run the state-sanctioned protective services program, so they are forced to pull funds from other important programs. As state officials work on next year's budget, advocates for seniors are putting on a full-court press to draw attention to the problem.
One of the funding problems stems from the fact that the Legislature has broadened the scope of the program but has not increased its funding, said Rosanne DiStefano, director of Elder Services of the Merrimack Valley.
The program was created to investigate abuse. Later self-neglect was added, and most recently financial exploitation, DiStefano said.
Given the scope of the program, the agencies said it is not unusual to receive 90 to 100 new reports each month.
"The growth in reports has been tremendous, and we take every report very seriously," DiStefano said.
DiStefano cited a case involving a 73-year-old widow who was living alone. Her landlord had noticed that several of her children stayed with her periodically, usually when her Social Security check was due to arrive. After the check arrived, they would borrow money and disappear for several weeks.
As a result, she fell behind in her rent and utilities and she was not able to afford her medications and groceries. Without her medications, she would get disoriented and wander around her apartment building.
DiStefano said the agency worked with the woman and her family, and made it possible for her to stay in her home.
"The stories with protective services are heart-wrenching and horrible," DiStefano said. "It's often a topic people won't want to admit exists."
Abridged
SOURCE: bostonGlobe
--------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
New Database for Elder Abuse Incidents - (Australia)
FROM THE ELDER ABUSE PREVENTION ASSOCIATION
Monday, 31 March 2008
NEW DATABASE SYSTEM FOR ELDER ABUSE INCIDENTS
A new database system to track reports of elder abuse is now operational, Executive Director of the Elder Abuse Prevention Association, Lillian Jeter announced today.
Ms. Jeter stated that the new system is an innovative and direct initiative to
respond to and prevent the abuse of older Australians.
“With incidents of elder abuse being virtually hidden behind the closed doors of the community, this new database will provide tangible statistics on elder abuse as well as providing a valuable tool for research and preventive measures, “ Ms. Jeter said.
“The new database will initially contain over 500 incidents of elder abuse from
all States and Territories throughout Australia and will cover all locations
where abuse is committed against older Australians." The new EAPA database has been a year-long joint venture led by the Elder Abuse Prevention Association, in partnership with Melbourne IT Mentor, headed by Scott Evans.
Centrally coordinated by EAPA, the new database will provide:
· Statistical data on causative factors of abuse
· Breakdown of location and frequency of types of abuse including
neglect, mistreatment, physical abuse, financial exploitation, sexual
abuse, and psychological abuse
· Data on victims, circumstances and vulnerabilities
· Data on offenders, behavioural concerns, and profiles
· Information on triggers of abuse and identifying warning signs
· Data to assist with preventive mechanisms
· Resource material to assist aged care providers
· Continuous recording of data from all sectors on a national basis
According to Lillian Jeter, the database will provide the first insight into the prevalence of elder abuse in neighbourhoods of the community setting with tangible figures and statistics. All data and information received is maintained in accordance with privacy legislation. The Elder Abuse Prevention Association is a not for profit advocacy association. All donations and support towards its continuing work is appreciated.
For further information, please contact:
Lillian Jeter
Executive Director
Elder Abuse Prevention Association
abuse@eapa.asn.au
http://www.eapa.asn.au/
SOURCE: EAPAasn
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Monday, 31 March 2008
NEW DATABASE SYSTEM FOR ELDER ABUSE INCIDENTS
A new database system to track reports of elder abuse is now operational, Executive Director of the Elder Abuse Prevention Association, Lillian Jeter announced today.
Ms. Jeter stated that the new system is an innovative and direct initiative to
respond to and prevent the abuse of older Australians.
“With incidents of elder abuse being virtually hidden behind the closed doors of the community, this new database will provide tangible statistics on elder abuse as well as providing a valuable tool for research and preventive measures, “ Ms. Jeter said.
“The new database will initially contain over 500 incidents of elder abuse from
all States and Territories throughout Australia and will cover all locations
where abuse is committed against older Australians." The new EAPA database has been a year-long joint venture led by the Elder Abuse Prevention Association, in partnership with Melbourne IT Mentor, headed by Scott Evans.
Centrally coordinated by EAPA, the new database will provide:
· Statistical data on causative factors of abuse
· Breakdown of location and frequency of types of abuse including
neglect, mistreatment, physical abuse, financial exploitation, sexual
abuse, and psychological abuse
· Data on victims, circumstances and vulnerabilities
· Data on offenders, behavioural concerns, and profiles
· Information on triggers of abuse and identifying warning signs
· Data to assist with preventive mechanisms
· Resource material to assist aged care providers
· Continuous recording of data from all sectors on a national basis
According to Lillian Jeter, the database will provide the first insight into the prevalence of elder abuse in neighbourhoods of the community setting with tangible figures and statistics. All data and information received is maintained in accordance with privacy legislation. The Elder Abuse Prevention Association is a not for profit advocacy association. All donations and support towards its continuing work is appreciated.
For further information, please contact:
Lillian Jeter
Executive Director
Elder Abuse Prevention Association
abuse@eapa.asn.au
http://www.eapa.asn.au/
SOURCE: EAPAasn
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Aged Care Bonds Debate - (Australia)
Aged care bonds back on the table
Posted 11 April 2008
The Federal Opposition has put the controversial issue of charging bonds for high-level aged care back on the agenda.
Currently, nursing homes can only receive the up-front interest earning deposits, which are returned to the estates, from people needing a low level of care.
The Opposition has long been opposed to the idea of extending it to high-level aged care.
But Opposition Aged Care spokeswoman Margaret May says the extra income from bonds is needed to avert an aged care funding crisis.
"When this has been raised in the past I don't believe it has been marketed properly," he said.
"I don't believe the model that has been put on the table, or any models that have been put on the table in the past, have been acceptable.
"What I want to see is a model that is accepted by the community and is accepted by the Government."
SOURCE: abcnews
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
Posted 11 April 2008
The Federal Opposition has put the controversial issue of charging bonds for high-level aged care back on the agenda.
Currently, nursing homes can only receive the up-front interest earning deposits, which are returned to the estates, from people needing a low level of care.
The Opposition has long been opposed to the idea of extending it to high-level aged care.
But Opposition Aged Care spokeswoman Margaret May says the extra income from bonds is needed to avert an aged care funding crisis.
"When this has been raised in the past I don't believe it has been marketed properly," he said.
"I don't believe the model that has been put on the table, or any models that have been put on the table in the past, have been acceptable.
"What I want to see is a model that is accepted by the community and is accepted by the Government."
SOURCE: abcnews
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
April 13, 2008
Couple Jailed for Elder Abuse Death (Gainesville, USA)
Man, Girlfriend Charged With Cruelty In Death Of Mother
POSTED: 10:44 am EDT April 11, 2008
UPDATED: 4:17 pm EDT April 11, 2008
GAINESVILLE, Ga. -- A Gainesville couple is in jail after being charged in the death of the man's 79-year-old mother.
Hall County Sheriff's Major Jeff Strickland says 52-year-old Larry Smallwood and his girlfriend, 46-year-old Brenda Jean Ivey, are facing one count each of cruelty to a person 65 or older and two counts each of forgery. The cruelty charge is a felony.
The couple is being held without bond in the Hall County jail.
(Copyright 2008 by WSBTV.com. )
SOURCE: wsbtv
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
POSTED: 10:44 am EDT April 11, 2008
UPDATED: 4:17 pm EDT April 11, 2008
GAINESVILLE, Ga. -- A Gainesville couple is in jail after being charged in the death of the man's 79-year-old mother.
Hall County Sheriff's Major Jeff Strickland says 52-year-old Larry Smallwood and his girlfriend, 46-year-old Brenda Jean Ivey, are facing one count each of cruelty to a person 65 or older and two counts each of forgery. The cruelty charge is a felony.
The couple is being held without bond in the Hall County jail.
(Copyright 2008 by WSBTV.com. )
SOURCE: wsbtv
----------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
April 12, 2008
Taking Action Can Bring End to Elder Abuse
Taking action can bring end to elder abuse
By Helen Dennis, Successful Aging
Article Launched: 04/09/2008 06:12:57 PM PDT
Question: I am a middle-class mother and widow in my 70s. My late husband and I did everything we thought was right in raising our son. We were involved in Little League, provided piano lessons, had Christmas and birthday parties, and attended all of our son's events. Despite our good home environment, our son, now in his 50s, is addicted to alcohol and drugs. He blames me for his problems, makes threatening phone calls to me and has tried to force his way into my home - causing me great stress and trauma. I am afraid for my safety. Is this elder abuse? I know several other women in my position. Please offer some guidance for me and others in similar situations.
Dear A.L.:
Thank you for your candid question. Just asking the abuse question publicly is likely to help others in your situation.
Your description is an example of what experts define as psychological abuse: the infliction of mental or emotional anguish such as threats, intimidation or humiliation. It includes behavior that demeans, threatens and harasses all, causing emotional anguish. The abuse is intentional and considered a form of family violence.
We often think of abuse occurring most frequently in nursing homes. That's not the case. Most elder abuse and neglect occurs in private homes. And abusers are typically family members.
The exact cause of psychological abuse of older persons is not known. However, we do know of risk factors.
Abridged
SOURCE: dailypress
---------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
By Helen Dennis, Successful Aging
Article Launched: 04/09/2008 06:12:57 PM PDT
Question: I am a middle-class mother and widow in my 70s. My late husband and I did everything we thought was right in raising our son. We were involved in Little League, provided piano lessons, had Christmas and birthday parties, and attended all of our son's events. Despite our good home environment, our son, now in his 50s, is addicted to alcohol and drugs. He blames me for his problems, makes threatening phone calls to me and has tried to force his way into my home - causing me great stress and trauma. I am afraid for my safety. Is this elder abuse? I know several other women in my position. Please offer some guidance for me and others in similar situations.
Dear A.L.:
Thank you for your candid question. Just asking the abuse question publicly is likely to help others in your situation.
Your description is an example of what experts define as psychological abuse: the infliction of mental or emotional anguish such as threats, intimidation or humiliation. It includes behavior that demeans, threatens and harasses all, causing emotional anguish. The abuse is intentional and considered a form of family violence.
We often think of abuse occurring most frequently in nursing homes. That's not the case. Most elder abuse and neglect occurs in private homes. And abusers are typically family members.
The exact cause of psychological abuse of older persons is not known. However, we do know of risk factors.
Abridged
SOURCE: dailypress
---------------------------------------------------
More Recent Posts from Spotlight on Elder Abuse
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