Conference to Offer Education, Awareness About Senior Abuse, Support Services

By Sheena Read, QMI Agency
April 22, 2013

An upcoming conference will highlight elder abuse and available support systems.
The Nanton Quality of Life Foundation will be hosting a seniors conference called Shining A Light:  A Seniors Conference on May 8.

The one-day conference will offer a series of workshops providing education and awareness to help local seniors, family members, service providers, volunteers and the public understand what elder abuse is.
“We know the need is out there,” says Nanton Quality of Life Foundation executive director Nicole Van Langen. “In there region there has been instances of senior abuse.”
The conference will help participants understand the many facets of abuse, and how to respond to the various forms of abuse.
It is the hope that this understanding will reduce the incidence of elder abuse through increased awareness and knowledge of the issue, says Van Langen.
“I think people are becoming more informed as to what constitutes the specifics of elder abuse,” says Van Langen. “I think it also helps that the government has provided a definition for it.”
Van Langen says she doesn’t believe that elder abuse is increasing, but likens it how there was a movement of growing awareness for domestic abuse about 30 years ago.
Elder abuse can occur in financial, physical, prescription, sexual, emotional and neglect forms.
“I think that education and information equals power,” says Van Langen.
“We have experts in those fields coming in to define all areas of abuse, and what to do if you’re a victim,” says Van Langen.
Included in the day’s workshops will be an expert on frauds and scams.
“I think that what happens is people don’t know what to do once it happens. He’ll show the information on what to do to protect yourself,” she says.
Another workshop will deal with how to maintain mental wellness.
“People will suffer in silence, especially in a small town,” she says. ‘
Van Langen says that the Nanton Quality of Life Foundation has obtained some great resource materials for packages for participants.
Although the target audience for the conference is seniors, Van Langen says that is applicable for anyone who has a senior in their life, as well as service providers like financial institutions, volunteers and care givers.
“In order to pinpoint abuse, sometimes it takes a team effort,” she says. The conference will be holding a limited number of seats for service providers.
“The information provided will be just as applicable,” says Van Langen.
There is no cost to attend this conference, and everyone is welcome.
 For more information, contact the Nanton Quality of Life Foundation office at   403-646-2436.

SOURCE:         The Nanton News
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North Oakland Senior Center: April 28 Forum for Elderly and their Caregivers (USA)

 North Oakland Senior Center hosts April 28 forum for elderly and their caregivers
By Angela Woodall
Oakland Tribune
04/18/2012

Information and advice for elderly people and their caregivers about planning for the future will be available at a free event April 28 at the North Oakland Senior Center.
The "Planning and Caring for Aging Loved Ones" forum from 8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. will offer panel discussions about technology and home care for seniors, as well as several workshops.
The first of those workshops focuses on health care reform and Medicare and will cover topics including prescription drug coverage and changes to Medicare Advantage plans. Another workshop covers advanced directives for medical care, senior fraud concerns and reporting of elder abuse and neglect, among other topics.
The "Healthy Eating and Living" workshop provides basic information about aging and challenges such as dementia and Alzheimer's disease, as well as healthy living and preparing for emergencies.
Representatives from community organizations will be on hand during a resource fair to provide information and referrals. A complementary lunch will be served at noon.

Registration begins 8:30 a.m. but preregistration is strongly encouraged online at http://planningandcaringoakland.eventbrite.com. For more information, call 510-272-6686 or email aisha.brown@acgov.org. The North Oakland Senior Center is located at 5714 Martin Luther King Jr. Way, Oakland.

 SOURCE:      The Mercury News
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Elder Abuse An Issue We Should Confront (USA)

 Aging Gracefully: Elder abuse an issue we should confront
Apr. 9, 2012
Written by Dotty St. Amand

Recently I had the privilege of participating in the Aging in America conference held in Washington, D.C. The conference was attended by some 3,000 professionals from various disciplines in the field of aging representing every corner of the United States.
At the opening session of the conference, Assistant Secretary of Aging Kathy Greenlee of the Administration on Aging addressed the crowd of professionals who sat eager to hear the recent news from Capital Hill on issues related to services for aging. As expected Greenlee talked about Medicare, Medicaid, the Older Americans Act, and Alzheimer’s and dementia care.
Just as the powers that be were giving her the signal to wrap up her speech, she politely asked for just five more minutes – in many ways, those five minutes were the most powerful. In those final few minutes, she boldly stated that in speaking of our nation’s vision she must address blindness.
Assistant Secretary Greenlee spoke with much sensitivity about the blindness our country has to the issue of elder abuse and neglect. She challenged the audience to take a leadership role in asking the hard questions about whether we have older adults in our communities who are being abused, neglected or exploited.
More importantly, she pointed out that our national response must be as simple as asking ourselves if we know who those people are that may be in abusive situations and if we know what they need from us.
Abuse and neglect of the elderly is a topic most would people would like to ignore. Not because we lack compassion, but because we want so badly to believe that it does not really happen. Sadly, too often older adults are — in the words of Secretary Greenlee — “hit, raped, neglected or swindled.”
We must work together to put an end to the mistreatment of older adults.
Lee County is on the right track to make a difference. Lee Elder Abuse Prevention Partnership is our local coalition of community partners who are committed to addressing the issues surrounding elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The diversity of agencies involved in the coalition is likely the reason this fairly young coalition has succeeded in bringing leaders and consumers together. From human services agencies and long-term care providers to law enforcement and protective services, the participation of key leaders in the field of aging demonstrates how important this issue is to our community.
Take action by joining LEAPP on April 24 for a public screening of the short film “An Age for Justice: Confronting Elder Abuse in America.” This free event is hosted by the Lee County Sheriff’s Office. LEAPP members will lead a group discussion immediately following the film. To reserve your seat, call 590-0861.
Dotty St. Amand is an administrator of memory care assisted living in Fort Myers and adjunct faculty teaching dynamics of aging for allied health. She can be reached at dottystamand@gmail.com.

 SOURCE:      NEWS PRESS
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Annual Elder conference Scheduled for Sept. 29 (AZ. USA)

 August 16, 2011

Don't miss this opportunity for NACOG Area Agency on Aging's 20th Annual Elder Issues Conference in Flagstaff Sept. 29, at the High Country Conference Center.

"Creating Caring Communities: Opening Pathways to the Future" offers professionals in the aging field and those who work with people who have disabilities an opportunity to hear nationally renowned speakers. Addressing the audience in a plenary session will be Bob Blancato from Washington, D.C., who has served as Executive Director in the White House Conference on Aging and more recently as President of the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. Additional professional development sessions include Elder Abuse Awareness, Prevention and Prosecution, Aging Wisely in the 21st Century and LGBT Aging: Challenges and Opportunities.

A special feature of this year's conference is the Virtual Dementia Tour, which provides the participant an opportunity to experience first-hand how it feels to have dementia in one's life. Cheryl Pugh, Ombudsman from NACOG AAA and certified trainer/facilitator will be conducting this training in several sessions during the conference.

The conference is certified for eight training credits from AZPOST for law enforcement. Early bird registration deadline is Sept. 7. Call            (877) 521-3500       toll free for more details on the conference speakers and sessions or visit the conference Website atwww.regonline.com/nacog_aaa.

SOURCE:   The WMI Central
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Elder Conference to 'FOCIS' On Aging Well in Rural Communities (USA)

Elder conference to 'FOCIS' on aging well in rural communities

By: Sean Dieterich, The Independent

11/13/2009

With an upcoming conference, members of Focus on Community Initiatives for Seniors say they are addressing aging like no one else in Northeastern Arizona at a price much less than other conferences in the state. 

     The FOCIS conference, titled "Aging Well in Rural and Frontier Communities," is set for noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 2, at the Hampton Inn and Suites in Show Low.

     This is the second conference under the name FOCIS, which was formerly known as the Elder Abuse Task Force, an organization that formed to inform and educate the public on topics of elder abuse.
     With the name change, the group is including topics that highlight the positive aspects of aging. Judy Gorman-Prow, an Adult Protective Services caseworker and FOCIS co-founder, said this conference will do just that for less than some other conferences in the state that charge between $50 and $150.
     "At $15, anyone can come to this conference," she said.

FOCIS invites new members to join their ranks. The group meets every second Tuesday of the month at the Show Low Library from 1 to 3 p.m.
     For more information about the conference or to pre-register, contact Gorman-Prow at (928) 532-4330 or Donaghy at (928) 368-6575.

Abridged
SOURCE:     WMI CENTRAL
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Conference on Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults (UK)

5 November 2009
Central London

This Community Care conference, in association with Research in Practice for Adults, offers you essential practical guidance for working with vulnerable adults.

It will provide practical, policy and legal updates, including the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards, the Mental Capacity Act and the No Secrets review.

It will also showcase examples of excellence and good practice case studies and include valuable information on whistle-blowing, advocacy support and how the Laming recommendations on safeguarding children can translate to the adult care sector.

Ask for discounts available across this and forthcoming conferences on the adult green paper and personalisation.

Bookings and enquiries: Tel: 020 7347 3574 Lines open from 8.30am to 5pm, Monday to Friday email: mailto:registrations@lexisnexis.co.uk or visit our website.

Safeguarding Vulnerable Adults

Safeguarding vulnerable adults, including those who have physical or sensory disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health problems and those who are older people, has and continues to go through a period of great change and reform.

Vulnerable adults can experience physical and psychological abuse, as well as neglect. With the advent of personalisation, a growing risk of financial abuse is also of great concern. This conference will aim to address how risk management can balance safeguarding against the rights of service users to maintain choice and independence. It will also provide an update to the No Secrets review and any associated legislation; an overview of vetting and barring procedures and best practice guidance on multi-agency working, advocacy, and respecting cultural diversity.

The government and courts are now putting more emphasis on effective safeguarding for adults. Attend this Community Care conference to learn how local authorities and other agencies can work together to adopt a more proactive policy to safeguard adults.

SOURCE: Community Care.Co., UK

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Scams Against Seniors to be Addressed (NC. USA)

Scams against seniors addressed in Brunswick County sessions

August 25, 2009

Brunswick County - Sept. 1 is the registration deadline for a free event presenting the latest information on abuse, fraud and scams that target the elderly.

The workshop and lunch, “CSI: Cautious Seniors Investigate,” will be held at 10 a.m. Sept. 12 at Calvary Baptist Church, 623 Village Road in Shallotte. It is being presented by the Cape Fear Elder Abuse Prevention Network.

Refreshments, door prizes and lunch will be provided.

To register, call Janeen Padavich, Area Agency on Aging, at 395-4553, Ext. 205.

SOURCE: Star News Online

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

By Lois Goldrich • Local

17 July 2009

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

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

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

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

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

Abridged

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

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Interfaith Response to Elder Abuse - Free Summit Meeing (CA. USA)

Interfaith Response to Elder Abuse

June 25, 2009 11:00 am - 2:30 pm

PROTECTING OUR ELDERS
Interfaith Community Response to Elder Abuse & Neglect

Santa Clara County Department of Aging and Adult Services and Archstone Foundation have initiated a project to strengthen Faith Communities to recognize and respond to the mistreatment and neglect of older people in whatever settings it occurs, so that each individual can achieve an optimal quality of life in keeping with his or her cultural values and tradition. Please join us for a free Summit Meeting, with panel Presentations on:

·         What is Elder Abuse & Neglect: Intervention and Prevention

·         The Role of Public Guardian/Conservator

·         Caregiver Support: Compassionate Responses

Lunch provided. Location: Cupertino Community Hall, 10350 Torre Avenue, Cupertino.

To rsvp or for more info, please contact rsvp@protectelders.com or (650) 269.2589

SOURCE:  RevDak.Com

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Saying No to Abuse and Neglect of Older Persons (ISRAEL)

Israel: Saying No to Abuse and Neglect of Older Persons (May 19, 2009)
(Article in Arabic)
Last Tuesday, the first conference on the phenomenon of violence against older persons in Jerusalem took place, entitled "No to violence against the elderly." Over 100 municipal and religious leaders and professionals attended from all disciplines working in the field of aging, including social workers, doctors and nurses from clinics and various medical centers of the region. It included a number of lectures designed to educate participants about kinds of violence against older people particularly in Jerusalem and its environs, where roughly 25% of older people admitted to experiencing either verbal or physical violence. 

SOURCE:  GlobalAging.Org

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Fill in the Blanks on Local Elder Abuse (CA. USA)

The Bakersfield Californian

May 03 2009

Ethel was 73 years old when she allowed her daughter and son-in-law to move into her house. Due to the economy, the young couple was struggling financially. They wanted to move in with Ethel until they could get re-established financially.

Within a short period of time, Ethel was living in the smallest room in the house. Bob, her son-in-law, became the self-appointed head of household, making all the decisions. He would frequently intimidate and threaten Ethel to keep her silent. With time, he had control of her finances and would not allow her to have visitors in her home or go out of the home without them in attempt to isolate her from others.

One evening, Ethel confronted him about some missing money and jewelry of hers. He slapped her on the face, causing her to fall. Afterward, he stated, "You are a silly old woman." Ethel felt trapped but was too embarrassed and afraid to report the abuse. She secretly wished that someone would "fill in the blanks" of her situation and contact authorities. It was her only hope.

Unfortunately, Ethel's experience is a common problem to many older adults termed elder abuse. Elder abuse occurs within all socio-economic levels, racial backgrounds and religious groups. Typically, it consists of physical, sexual, and/or financial abuse combined with abandonment, isolation, neglect and self-neglect issues. There are 1.5 million cases of elder abuse reported across the nation each year, but it is estimated that only 1 in 14 case are ever reported.

Eighty-six percent of the abusers have an ongoing relationship with the victim, such as a spouse, partner, adult child and/or an extended family member. As a result, elder abuse is considered a type of domestic violence. Because it is in the family, the abused are often reluctant to report to the authorities due to embarrassment, shame and fear of retaliation. Typically, the only way that elder abuse is reported is from concerned members of the community.

In Kern County, the adult protective services hot line (868-1006) takes approximately 3,000 suspected abuse referrals a year to be investigated. Presently, the abused, aging population relies upon their community to "fill in the blanks" and report any suspected elder abuse that might alleviate their pain, suffering and humiliation. Elder Abuse Awareness Week is May 11-15 for the purpose of educating the local community on this issue.

The 12th annual Elder Abuse Prevention Conference will be held on May 13 on the topic of "Domestic Violence in Later Life." For more information, please contact Kern County Aging and Adult Services Department at 868-1013.

SOURCE:  Bakersfield Californian - Bakersfield,CA,USA

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Seniors Face Abuse in Many Forms (ON. CANADA)

By THE CHRONICLE-JOURNAL

April 26, 2009

There are about 2,000 people in Thunder Bay over the age of 55 who are victims of abuse, recent statistics say. 
It amounts to five per cent of the one-third of people in Thunder Bay who are in that age bracket, according to the data by the Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse. 

While physical and sexual abuse can cause the most immediate trauma, seniors also face financial, psychological and emotional abuse as well as abuse through neglect. 
“It‘s mostly families who are abusing seniors,” said Lee Stones, a regional consultant. 
“Despite the fact that I get four to five calls a week and so do police, well over 80 per cent of seniors suffer in silence – they don‘t report on their kids and grandkids.” 
Stones said education is critical to dealing with the problem – much the same as it was such a big part of exposing child abuse years ago. 

Stones is hoping to get many seniors and their families out to a conference on May 4, when the subject of elder abuse will be discussed in Thunder Bay‘s Victoria Inn. 
The conference, Reaching for Balance – Rights and Obligations Regarding Seniors‘ Care, runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Presentations will be given by Robert Solomon, an authority on legal and financial matters relating to seniors, and Tammy Rankin, an expert on elder abuse in nursing homes. 
The conference will also include a panel representing police, educators, health-care professionals and seniors. 

SOURCE:   The Chronicle Journal - Thunder Bay,Ontario,Canada

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Conference on Crimes Against Seniors (NY. USA)

Rockland shelter to hold conference on crimes against seniors

BY HEMA EASLEY
APRIL 11, 2009

Rockland Family Shelter will focus on crimes against seniors when it hosts its annual conference in recognition of Crime Victims Awareness Week.

The April 27 breakfast conference will also acknowledge all those who have been victims of crime, in keeping with the shelter's role of local agency for the Comprehensive Crime Victim Program.

Under the program, crime victims and their families can be compensated for medical and counseling expenses, for loss of personal property, burial expenses, lost wages, transportation for court appearances, occupational and vocational rehabilitation, and moving expenses.

Ellen Kolodney, the elder-abuse coordinator at the Bronx district attorney's office, will be the featured speaker. Her presentation will be "Financial Crimes Against Seniors: Recognition, Prevention, Safety."

People interested in the conference are encouraged to register in advance. For more information, call 845-634-3391.

Abridged

SOURCE:    Lower Hudson Journal news - West Harrison,NY,USA

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5th Annual Call to Action on Elder Abuse (Ca. USA)

 By The EFPN Reporter

Registration Open for Call to Action 2009!

Click here to register now!

On March 26, 2009, over 300 professionals from the fields of banking, law, social services and law enforcement will come together for the 5th Annual Call to Action. The day long event features a morning conference, an elegant luncheon and an award ceremony honoring leaders in the fight against elder financial abuse. The event will be held at the Carnelian Room, located at 555 California St., 52nd Floor, San Francisco, California. The Carnelian Room is known for its majestic view of the city and is the perfect place for such a dynamic event.

We are proud to have the Honorable US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi serving as the founding member of our Call to Action 2009 Honorary Committee. 

For a detailed conference program, click here.

SOURCE:   The EFPN REPORTER

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Elder Abuse: Conference to Explore Ways to Keep Vulnerable Adults Safe (UK)

Charity hosts event to explore ways to keep vulnerable adults safe

by Hannah Wooderson for 24dash.com in Communities 
12th January 2009

 An event that will discuss ways to keep vulnerable adults and older people safe is being held in London today.

Hosted by Action on Elder Abuse (AEA), a charity dealing with the abuse of older people, the conference will examine issues relating to adult protection legislation and other legislation, such as The Mental Capacity Act and Human Rights Act.

It is being held to tie in with a consultation on No Secrets, the Government's guide to safeguarding adults.

Gary FitzGerald, chief executive of Action on Elder Abuse, said: "Adults at risk of abuse do not want to be treated differently.

"They want, and should be entitled to, the same safeguards that we afford to children, victims of domestic violence and even animals.

"Crucially, this conference will look at how we can empower individuals whilst affording them the appropriate level of protection to prevent them from unwanted harm or abuse."

The conference is taking place at the National Council for Voluntary Organisations, Regent's Wharf, All Saints Street, Islington, London, N1 9RL.

Abridged

SOURCE:    24Dash.Com

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Elder Abuse Awareness and Prevention (Ma. USA)

Advocates focus on protection of eldersBish Center conference focuses on prevention
By Lisa D. Welsh
Telegram & Gazette Staff

PAXTON— An elderly mother helping out her son, a lawyer helping himself to a Brookfield man’s millions and an older gentleman with a Ph.D. who won the prize of a lifetime were cases of elder abuse — one fictitious, two very real — highlighted during a conference on elder abuse at Anna Maria College’s Molly Bish Center for the Protection of Children and the Elderly yesterday. “As we gather together and think of ways to protect elders there’s an equally large group somewhere else in the world thinking of ways to scam them,” said David Tuttle, director of the Molly Bish Center, which has adopted the elderly in its mission of “protecting the most vulnerable among us.” It was the center’s first event that focused entirely on elder abuse and prevention.
To report incidents of elder abuse or for more information the statewide Elder Abuse Hotline is available 24 hours a day at (800) 922-2275.

Abridged
SOURCE: Telegram and Gazette (Ma. USA)
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Elder abuse: Innovative Approaches to Addressing EA (NSW Australia)

Innovative approaches to addressing elder abuse - seminar

24/11/2008

International expert Professor Laura Mosqueda MD will share her experience in the field of elder abuse and neglect at a free seminar hosted jointly by The Benevolent Society, the Australian Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse, the Australian Association of Gerontology NSW Division and the Aged & Community Services Association NSW and ACT.

Professor Mosqueda is Director of Geriatrics at the University of California, Irvine School of Medicine. She is co-director of the UCI Center of Excellence in Elder Abuse and Neglect

The seminar will be of interest to anyone working with older people who needs to be aware of the issue of elder abuse, including aged care and health care providers, social workers, lawyers and police.

Date
Monday 24 November, 2008 2.30pm-4.30pm

Venue
Lecture Theatre 1, Clinical Sciences Building (opposite car park, near Gate 3)
Hospital Road Concord NSW

Parking available ($5.00) or take bus number 458 or 459.

Please RSVP by 20 November to Carly Fitzsimons on 02 9339 8077

Carly Fitzsimons
02 9339 8077


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Elder Abuse: Gerontology Conference (WA. AUSTRALIA)

Australian Association of Gerontology
The Conference

The Australian Association of Gerontology (AAG) is hosting its 41st National Conference in Fremantle, Western Australia at the Esplanade Hotel from 18 - 21 November 2008.
The Conference is held annually and significantly assists the AAG in furthering its mission which is 'to expand knowledge on ageing with the purpose of improving the experience of ageing.' The theme for this year’s conference is 'Ageing Landscapes.'

Landscape Theme:

Social/CommunityFamilies, changing roles of carers, social and community connection, ethics, attitudes, virtual technologies, elder abuse, participation, contributions of older people.

SOURCE: AAG

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