Elder Abuse Prevention Month Activities Highlight an Under-reported But Growing Problem
21 Oct 2008
During Elder Abuse Prevention Month, state officials are focusing on the fact that elder abuse is a growing problem nationally and in Oregon, but very few abuse cases are ever reported. National studies estimate that 3-5 million seniors age 65 and older nationwide have experienced abuse, but only one in five abuse cases is reported. "No type of abuse should be tolerated, but elder abuse is an under-reported crime because people do not know how to recognize the signs, and they don't know how to report it when they do see it," says James D. Toews, Oregon Department of Human Services assistant director for seniors and people with disabilities. "We have to raise awareness of elder abuse and ways to report it before we can hope to prevent it."
Signs of elder abuse include physical injuries, emotional or behavioral changes, a decline in self-care, and changes in financial status.
For a complete list, see http://www.oregoneverydayheroes.org/Signs.html. Oregon law defines elder abuse as physical injury not caused by accident, neglect leading to harm, abandonment, intentional infliction of physical pain or injury, unwanted sexual contact or the inability to consent to sexual contact, and threatening to take or taking money or property.
Anyone witnessing or suspecting abuse of those populations is asked to call the toll-free Abuse Hotline: 1-800-232-3020.
DHS and Area Agencies on Aging provide protective services and investigate reports of suspected abuse. They determine if abuse has occurred and work with law enforcement when a potential crime may have occurred.
DHS investigated 12,897 allegations of abuse of elderly or physically disabled Oregonians in 2007 and substantiated more than 4,200, a 5.5 percent increase over 2008. Based on national trends, the actual number of cases of elder abuse in Oregon may have been much higher. Elder Abuse Prevention Month activities, held in conjunction with national efforts by the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA), are designed to raise that awareness and help Oregonians understand how to help this vulnerable population, Toews says.
DHS will hold an all-day open house on elder abuse prevention Oct. 22 in the lobby of its Salem headquarters, 500 Summer NE. Partners in the event include the Office of Investigations and Training (serving persons with developmental disabilities), the Governor's Commission on Senior Services, Oregon Everyday Heroes (http://www.oregoneverydayheroes.org) and the Oregon Senior Financial Abuse Coalition. Public Service Announcements on elder abuse, produced by NCEA and featuring William Mapother ("Ethan Rom" on Lost), are available here.
"Our staff do an excellent job of identifying these situations and providing assistance, but they need help from the public," says Toews. "As Oregon's population ages, this type of abuse is bound to increase unless we all become more aware of the signs of abuse and more willing to report or prevent it." Oregon Dept of Human Services
SOURCE: Medical News Today (press release) - UK
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October 22, 2008
Elder Abuse: Pensioners Need Protection (UK)
Pensioners 'need protection' against abuse
20 October 2008
Older people who are vulnerable to abuse are given less legal protection than pets, a charity supporting the elderly has warned.
Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) is calling for the government to address the issues about abuse in nursing homes and money being stolen.
The charity says two-thirds of elderly people who suffer are subject to physical abuse and theft in their own homes at the hands of family, neighbours and friends.
Gary FitzGerald, Chief Executive of the AEA, said legislation is needed to ensure that protection works effectively.
"The Government introduced the Animal Welfare Act so it is not unreasonable to ask why they cannot do as much for adults experiencing abuse," he added.
A review was launched in the House of Lords this week to discuss how to improve the protection of elderly people and prevent them from becoming victims.
In other news today, AEA revealed it will form a campaign together with the charities Mind and Voice UK to shape the legislation brought in by the Government.
©Adfero Ltd
Abridged
SOURCE: Charities Aid Foundation (UK)
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20 October 2008
Older people who are vulnerable to abuse are given less legal protection than pets, a charity supporting the elderly has warned.
Action on Elder Abuse (AEA) is calling for the government to address the issues about abuse in nursing homes and money being stolen.
The charity says two-thirds of elderly people who suffer are subject to physical abuse and theft in their own homes at the hands of family, neighbours and friends.
Gary FitzGerald, Chief Executive of the AEA, said legislation is needed to ensure that protection works effectively.
"The Government introduced the Animal Welfare Act so it is not unreasonable to ask why they cannot do as much for adults experiencing abuse," he added.
A review was launched in the House of Lords this week to discuss how to improve the protection of elderly people and prevent them from becoming victims.
In other news today, AEA revealed it will form a campaign together with the charities Mind and Voice UK to shape the legislation brought in by the Government.
©Adfero Ltd
Abridged
SOURCE: Charities Aid Foundation (UK)
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Elder Abuse and Elder Care: Views Sought Re Protection of Seniors (UK)
VIEWS SOUGHT ON CHANGES TO PREVENT ABUSE OF ADULTS IN CARE SYSTEM
October 17th, 2008
Local authorities and health service professionals are being asked for their views on whether changes need to be made to measures to protect vulnerable adults from all forms of abuse in the care system. Under the existing ‘’No Secrets’ guidance councils, the police and the NHS work together to safeguard vulnerable people but now the Government wants to know what improvements could be made.
Care Services Minister Phil Hope has launched a consultation process to ensure the current guidance has kept up with changes in the social care system, particularly the new emphasis on choice and personal care and with changing forms of abuse. Specific questions which the Government wants answered include whether there is now a need for legislation.
Mr. Hope said there needed to be a greater focus on prevention as well as more emphasis on protecting people from abuse in the commissioning of services and support and increased empowerment of people to determine how they wished to be safeguarded.
Abridged
SOURCE: Public Net
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October 17th, 2008
Local authorities and health service professionals are being asked for their views on whether changes need to be made to measures to protect vulnerable adults from all forms of abuse in the care system. Under the existing ‘’No Secrets’ guidance councils, the police and the NHS work together to safeguard vulnerable people but now the Government wants to know what improvements could be made.
Care Services Minister Phil Hope has launched a consultation process to ensure the current guidance has kept up with changes in the social care system, particularly the new emphasis on choice and personal care and with changing forms of abuse. Specific questions which the Government wants answered include whether there is now a need for legislation.
Mr. Hope said there needed to be a greater focus on prevention as well as more emphasis on protecting people from abuse in the commissioning of services and support and increased empowerment of people to determine how they wished to be safeguarded.
Abridged
SOURCE: Public Net
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Elder Abuse: Nursing Home Staff Sacked for Alleged Sexual Abuse (Australia)
By Kate Benson
Medical Reporter
October 22, 2008
TWO staff members at a Central Coast nursing home have been sacked for allegedly sexually assaulting women in their care.
One elderly resident, who suffers dementia, had her nightie lifted and her breasts inapprop-riately handled in an alleged assault at the Peninsula Village nursing home, at Umina Beach, five weeks ago.
The Herald understands the staff member was developmentally disabled and was working at the home under a government-funded employment scheme, but the nursing home refused to confirm this.
In a separate incident, another resident was allegedly assaulted vaginally about two weeks ago. Police confirmed yesterday that they were investigating both cases but were yet to lay charges.
The care manager at Peninsula Village, Melissa Dempsey, confirmed two staff were sacked immediately over the alleged assaults to "ensure there was no further risk to our residents". A manager had also been suspended.
"An allegation was made against a staff member working in the nursing home," Ms Dempsey said. "It was deeply concerning to the staff, management and the directors of our organisation, which has only two reasons for being, namely the care and welfare of our residents.
The news comes days after a Federal Government decision to force all nursing home staff to undergo police checks from January. Under existing rules, only staff who have unsupervised access to residents need police checks, but Lillian Jeter, a spokeswoman for the Elder Abuse Prevention Association, said the changes would not make any difference to patient safety.
"Only those who have been caught will have a criminal record and there are many people out there with predatory and abusive behaviours who have never been caught, or have been let off without a conviction recorded," she said.
Ms Jeter, a former police commander, said patients with dementia were particularly vulnerable. "If you don't know what it is going on, that you are being assaulted or who is doing it to you, it makes you even more of a victim. What if this was your mum or your grandmother? This is simply horrendous."
SOURCE: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
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Medical Reporter
October 22, 2008
TWO staff members at a Central Coast nursing home have been sacked for allegedly sexually assaulting women in their care.
One elderly resident, who suffers dementia, had her nightie lifted and her breasts inapprop-riately handled in an alleged assault at the Peninsula Village nursing home, at Umina Beach, five weeks ago.
The Herald understands the staff member was developmentally disabled and was working at the home under a government-funded employment scheme, but the nursing home refused to confirm this.
In a separate incident, another resident was allegedly assaulted vaginally about two weeks ago. Police confirmed yesterday that they were investigating both cases but were yet to lay charges.
The care manager at Peninsula Village, Melissa Dempsey, confirmed two staff were sacked immediately over the alleged assaults to "ensure there was no further risk to our residents". A manager had also been suspended.
"An allegation was made against a staff member working in the nursing home," Ms Dempsey said. "It was deeply concerning to the staff, management and the directors of our organisation, which has only two reasons for being, namely the care and welfare of our residents.
The news comes days after a Federal Government decision to force all nursing home staff to undergo police checks from January. Under existing rules, only staff who have unsupervised access to residents need police checks, but Lillian Jeter, a spokeswoman for the Elder Abuse Prevention Association, said the changes would not make any difference to patient safety.
"Only those who have been caught will have a criminal record and there are many people out there with predatory and abusive behaviours who have never been caught, or have been let off without a conviction recorded," she said.
Ms Jeter, a former police commander, said patients with dementia were particularly vulnerable. "If you don't know what it is going on, that you are being assaulted or who is doing it to you, it makes you even more of a victim. What if this was your mum or your grandmother? This is simply horrendous."
SOURCE: Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
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Elder Care: Home Services Stopped Without Notice (Kyneton/Mildura, Australia)
Doors close on clients
21/10/2008
DOZENS of clients needing home care have been left up in the air after Bendigo service provider Chancery House closed its doors on the weekend.
Chancery House Services in Wills Street covered a region from Kyneton to Mildura.
It provided home care, attendant and cleaning services for patients unable to look after themselves because of age, illness or accident.
But carers who contacted The Advertiser have expressed alarm that although some casual staff were told of the closure on Sunday, clients have been left in the dark.
“We had one elderly woman sitting in her nightie wondering why no one had come to serve her breakfast,’’ one carer said.
“She eventually had to phone her own daughter to come.
“The real problem here is that no provision has been made for the clients, and many of them have suffered strokes or have to be spoon fed and are not capable of looking after themselves.’’
Chancery House did not return calls and no reason has been given for the abrupt closure.
There has been no indication of how many clients are on the lists.
Source: The Bendigo Advertiser
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21/10/2008
DOZENS of clients needing home care have been left up in the air after Bendigo service provider Chancery House closed its doors on the weekend.
Chancery House Services in Wills Street covered a region from Kyneton to Mildura.
It provided home care, attendant and cleaning services for patients unable to look after themselves because of age, illness or accident.
But carers who contacted The Advertiser have expressed alarm that although some casual staff were told of the closure on Sunday, clients have been left in the dark.
“We had one elderly woman sitting in her nightie wondering why no one had come to serve her breakfast,’’ one carer said.
“She eventually had to phone her own daughter to come.
“The real problem here is that no provision has been made for the clients, and many of them have suffered strokes or have to be spoon fed and are not capable of looking after themselves.’’
Chancery House did not return calls and no reason has been given for the abrupt closure.
There has been no indication of how many clients are on the lists.
Source: The Bendigo Advertiser
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Elder Care Crisis (Australia)
Extra funding eases plight of nursing homes
By Mark Metherell
October 21, 2008
THE federal Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, has announced an increase for aged-care training after a survey found many nursing homes battle to break even financially.
Up to 7700 training places will be provided over four years for aged and community care workers, costing $41 million, she says.
But aged-care leaders say the Government is ducking the challenge of future capital funding needs for nursing homes, citing a survey that found nursing homes average a return on investment on new single-bed rooms of just 1.1 per cent.
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, said the Government supported the "extraordinary" service given by Australia's 2.5 million carers when he launched Carers Week yesterday, when Mrs Elliot announced $12 million for more respite services for carers.
However, critics warn that without a financing revamp Australia will fail to meet surging demand for care of the aged.
Mrs Elliot has stood by the Government's refusal to ease the ban on accommodation bonds on high-care nursing home residents, which, critics say, is needed to provide the capital for more beds.
She said the Government was providing $300 million in no-interest loans for more nursing homes in needy areas, and overall was providing record levels of funding, which will average $41,500 a year for each resident by 2011. This is a $5500 rise in real terms since 2003-04, government figures show.
However, an expert on the economics of nursing homes, Warren Hogan, said that under present policies, which limit the sources of capital for high-care nursing home beds, the supply of places for residents needing nursing care will deteriorate.
Professor Hogan produced a report on aged-care financing for the previous federal government in which he recommended extending accommodation bonds. The bonds are levied on residents in low-care hostel-type institutions but not in those providing full nursing care after an outcry over the issue in the late 1990s.
The research into nursing home finances by the survey company Grant Thornton came at a critical time for demographic change in Australia, Professor Hogan said. The aged care system needed to be overhauled to ensure "quality, equitable, efficient and sustainable care".
The chief executive of Aged Care Association Australia, Rod Young, said a nursing home in Victoria had closed and others were in trouble because of financial difficulties. "Significant reforms are essential. If not … more providers will have to close."
SOURCE: The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
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By Mark Metherell
October 21, 2008
THE federal Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot, has announced an increase for aged-care training after a survey found many nursing homes battle to break even financially.
Up to 7700 training places will be provided over four years for aged and community care workers, costing $41 million, she says.
But aged-care leaders say the Government is ducking the challenge of future capital funding needs for nursing homes, citing a survey that found nursing homes average a return on investment on new single-bed rooms of just 1.1 per cent.
The Prime Minister, Kevin Rudd, said the Government supported the "extraordinary" service given by Australia's 2.5 million carers when he launched Carers Week yesterday, when Mrs Elliot announced $12 million for more respite services for carers.
However, critics warn that without a financing revamp Australia will fail to meet surging demand for care of the aged.
Mrs Elliot has stood by the Government's refusal to ease the ban on accommodation bonds on high-care nursing home residents, which, critics say, is needed to provide the capital for more beds.
She said the Government was providing $300 million in no-interest loans for more nursing homes in needy areas, and overall was providing record levels of funding, which will average $41,500 a year for each resident by 2011. This is a $5500 rise in real terms since 2003-04, government figures show.
However, an expert on the economics of nursing homes, Warren Hogan, said that under present policies, which limit the sources of capital for high-care nursing home beds, the supply of places for residents needing nursing care will deteriorate.
Professor Hogan produced a report on aged-care financing for the previous federal government in which he recommended extending accommodation bonds. The bonds are levied on residents in low-care hostel-type institutions but not in those providing full nursing care after an outcry over the issue in the late 1990s.
The research into nursing home finances by the survey company Grant Thornton came at a critical time for demographic change in Australia, Professor Hogan said. The aged care system needed to be overhauled to ensure "quality, equitable, efficient and sustainable care".
The chief executive of Aged Care Association Australia, Rod Young, said a nursing home in Victoria had closed and others were in trouble because of financial difficulties. "Significant reforms are essential. If not … more providers will have to close."
SOURCE: The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia)
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October 21, 2008
Elder Abuse: Let Us Not Forget the 'Silent Majority' (International)
The Forgotten Majority
By Andrew C
We have been, and are still receiving an ‘avalanche’ of reports on Financial Elder Abuse.
Let us not lose sight of those who have been or are still been abused in the privacy of their own home. Many of these cases, I’m referring to here, are NOT reported.
Those reasons can range from ‘not wanting to sever relationship with a son, daughter’ to a sense of powerlessness.
These are the ‘voiceless’ who deserve our attention.
Yes, there are many other ‘pressing issues’ that we all are facing, at the moment. But let us not forget the ‘silent majority’ in the unsavory business of elder abuse.
Firstly, I would like to make a quiet plea for more to be done, in helping victims of Elder Abuse in their own home. That is, those who have been abused by family members or trusted home-carers.
In many of such cases, the victims have less rights and assistance than abused animals.
My own experience - There was no one I could report to or get assistance for a victim.
If that victim was an animal, I could ring up the RSPCA and expect to get action and help.
Is this not ridiculous? Many countries have yet to enact laws to protect victims of this type of elder abuse.
It is against the law to abuse an animal, but not if one abuse one's parent.
Admittedly, these cases are often complex, even for experts in law enforcement agencies, gerontologists, psychologists and other interested professionals. Let us not allow this to deter us from acting in the prevention of this sort of elder abuse.
Secondly, something must be in place to Prevent this injustice done to vulnerable seniors.
According to various researches and reports; people are living much longer. What you help to put in place now, to ensure safety from elder abuse; may one day be used to assist you.
Let us not be complacent.
Elder Abuse is violation of human rights. For those who try to cite family dynamics as an excuse. Think again. There can be NO justification for elder abuse.
Let the message be clear to all. Elder Abuse is not acceptable in any language or form.
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By Andrew C
We have been, and are still receiving an ‘avalanche’ of reports on Financial Elder Abuse.
Let us not lose sight of those who have been or are still been abused in the privacy of their own home. Many of these cases, I’m referring to here, are NOT reported.
Those reasons can range from ‘not wanting to sever relationship with a son, daughter’ to a sense of powerlessness.
These are the ‘voiceless’ who deserve our attention.
Yes, there are many other ‘pressing issues’ that we all are facing, at the moment. But let us not forget the ‘silent majority’ in the unsavory business of elder abuse.
Firstly, I would like to make a quiet plea for more to be done, in helping victims of Elder Abuse in their own home. That is, those who have been abused by family members or trusted home-carers.
In many of such cases, the victims have less rights and assistance than abused animals.
My own experience - There was no one I could report to or get assistance for a victim.
If that victim was an animal, I could ring up the RSPCA and expect to get action and help.
Is this not ridiculous? Many countries have yet to enact laws to protect victims of this type of elder abuse.
It is against the law to abuse an animal, but not if one abuse one's parent.
Admittedly, these cases are often complex, even for experts in law enforcement agencies, gerontologists, psychologists and other interested professionals. Let us not allow this to deter us from acting in the prevention of this sort of elder abuse.
Secondly, something must be in place to Prevent this injustice done to vulnerable seniors.
According to various researches and reports; people are living much longer. What you help to put in place now, to ensure safety from elder abuse; may one day be used to assist you.
Let us not be complacent.
Elder Abuse is violation of human rights. For those who try to cite family dynamics as an excuse. Think again. There can be NO justification for elder abuse.
Let the message be clear to all. Elder Abuse is not acceptable in any language or form.
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Financial Elder Abuse: Ex-councillor Jailed (Wales, UK)
Ex-councillor defrauded mum and stole from son
Oct 20 2008
WalesOnline
A FORMER councillor defrauded his 82-year-old mother and stole from his own son in a £275,000 campaign of dishonesty and deceit.
Philip Charles Brown, 55, who once served on Mid Glamorgan County Council following a period with Cynon Valley Borough Council, admitted a grave breach of trust towards people his lawyer described as his ‘nearest and dearest’.
He was yesterday jailed for three-and-a-half years.
Cardiff Crown Court heard how:
SOURCE: Wales Online
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Oct 20 2008
WalesOnline
A FORMER councillor defrauded his 82-year-old mother and stole from his own son in a £275,000 campaign of dishonesty and deceit.
Philip Charles Brown, 55, who once served on Mid Glamorgan County Council following a period with Cynon Valley Borough Council, admitted a grave breach of trust towards people his lawyer described as his ‘nearest and dearest’.
He was yesterday jailed for three-and-a-half years.
Cardiff Crown Court heard how:
He emptied his son’s bank account of £20,000 behind his back, causing his house to be repossessed.- Left his pensioner mother facing demands for £68,000 for a loan he took out in her name
- Saw his wife face eviction from the family home after he forged her signature on a £168,000 mortgage
- And borrowed more cash in the name of his brother-in-law, a man who had helped him out when he was first in financial trouble
Brown intercepted letters and bank statements to the family which would have rung alarm bells before eventually fleeing South Wales for a London hotel leaving what a judge said was a trail of misery and uncertainty in his wake.
AbridgedSOURCE: Wales Online
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Elder Abuse: Man Jailed (Ca. USA)
Citrus Heights man jailed on financial elder abuse and other charges
October 21, 2008
On September 2, 2008, an elderly couple was contacted by a man posing as a contractor who offered to repair their damaged roof. After two hours of work, the contractor demanded $1,900.00 for the repairs. The victims did not think this amount was reasonable and did not want to pay but did anyway because they felt "intimidated" by the male. They reported the incident to the Rocklin Police Department.
Michael Marks, 38 years, of Citrus Heights was arrested for burglary, theft, financial elder abuse, conspiracy, vandalism, and operating without a contractor’s license and is being held at the Placer County Jail.
Marks has previous complaints against him with the State of California Consumer Affairs-State Contractors Board for doing construction while not being a licensed contractor and has been fined in the past for violations.
Anyone that may have been victimized by Marks is asked to contact their local police department or Contractor’s State License Board at 916-255-2924.
SOURCE: Rocklin Today
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October 21, 2008
On September 2, 2008, an elderly couple was contacted by a man posing as a contractor who offered to repair their damaged roof. After two hours of work, the contractor demanded $1,900.00 for the repairs. The victims did not think this amount was reasonable and did not want to pay but did anyway because they felt "intimidated" by the male. They reported the incident to the Rocklin Police Department.
Michael Marks, 38 years, of Citrus Heights was arrested for burglary, theft, financial elder abuse, conspiracy, vandalism, and operating without a contractor’s license and is being held at the Placer County Jail.
Marks has previous complaints against him with the State of California Consumer Affairs-State Contractors Board for doing construction while not being a licensed contractor and has been fined in the past for violations.
Anyone that may have been victimized by Marks is asked to contact their local police department or Contractor’s State License Board at 916-255-2924.
SOURCE: Rocklin Today
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October 20, 2008
Financial Elder Abuse: Learn to Stop Scammers (Wa.DC USA)
Speaker helps seniors avoid identity theft
October 19, 2008
The Frederick County Department of Aging raises awareness about issues affecting the community and this month is hosting a series of hour-long meetings called Tuesday Talks.
This past week's meeting focused on identity theft and fraud, offering ways to prevent the "perfect crime," as referred to by guest speaker Fred Burton, a certified fraud examiner with 47 years of experience in security and intelligence systems.
Burton told the group that more than 30.4 million identities have been reported stolen since January, many of them involving the elderly.
"The crime is relatively easy and risk free," he said. Once a thief gains access to any form of a person's identity -- such as a social security number, birth date, address or driving records -- they can take out a loan, write checks and run up credit card bills in that person's name.
He told the audience they should invest in a shredding machine, particularly one that offers a cross-cutting feature. He also advised against putting credit card bill payments in their mailboxes, instead, take those payments to the post office.
Otherwise, "you're really just saying, 'Here I am, thief. Come get me.''
Copyright 2008 The Frederick News-Post.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Frederick News Post
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October 19, 2008
The Frederick County Department of Aging raises awareness about issues affecting the community and this month is hosting a series of hour-long meetings called Tuesday Talks.
This past week's meeting focused on identity theft and fraud, offering ways to prevent the "perfect crime," as referred to by guest speaker Fred Burton, a certified fraud examiner with 47 years of experience in security and intelligence systems.
Burton told the group that more than 30.4 million identities have been reported stolen since January, many of them involving the elderly.
"The crime is relatively easy and risk free," he said. Once a thief gains access to any form of a person's identity -- such as a social security number, birth date, address or driving records -- they can take out a loan, write checks and run up credit card bills in that person's name.
He told the audience they should invest in a shredding machine, particularly one that offers a cross-cutting feature. He also advised against putting credit card bill payments in their mailboxes, instead, take those payments to the post office.
Otherwise, "you're really just saying, 'Here I am, thief. Come get me.''
Copyright 2008 The Frederick News-Post.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Frederick News Post
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