Working to Care for Our Seniors (IL. USA)

Working to care for our seniors

By GARY FORBY

Illinois State Senate

July 08, 2009

July is Elder Abuse Awareness Month here in Illinois. Elder abuse is an important issue that does not receive as much attention as it should.

According to the Illinois Department of Aging, the number of elder abuse cases in our state has been on the rise. The department’s most recent report notes that there were more than 8,000 cases reported in a single year.

Even more disturbingly, 76 percent of the abusers were spouses, children or other family members.

Unfortunately, financial abuse — usually an adult child misusing a parent's money — is one of the most common types of abuse, and it is among the most difficult to recognize.

If you suspect an elderly person is being abused, there are several steps you can take.

Of course, if you believe the person's life or well-being is in immediate danger, you should call 911. If it is a more long-term problem, you still have several choices.

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SOURCE: McLeansboro Times Leader - Mt. Vernon,IL,USA

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Elder Financial Abuse is On the Rise (USA)

Elder Financial Abuse is On the Rise

Elder financial abuse is on the rise, as many children now turn to their elderly parents for a quick fix to get out of the financial jam caused by the current economic crisis.

Unfortunately, it’s the children who most frequently rip-off the elderly. It makes sense: the kids know what their parents’ estates are worth, they have the easiest access to mom and dad, and friends and neighbors are reluctant to intervene in “family matters”. One of the children may recently have lost their job and becomes desperate to save their home from foreclosue or their car from being repossessed.

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SOURCE: Stop-Right-There.com

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Woman Accused of Elder Abuse (UT. USA)

West Valley woman accused of elder abuse

July 7, 2009

A West Valley City woman was charged Tuesday after prosecutors say she abandoned her duties as a caretaker of a 90-year-old woman she lived with.

The woman, 35, was charged with one count of aggravated abuse or neglect of a disabled or elder adult, a second-degree felony.

Police responded to Pioneer Valley Hospital on June 8 on an aggravated elder abuse case, according to charging documents. Detectives spoke with hospital staffers who said one of their 90-year-old patients had recently lost a considerable amount of weight, was suffering from renal failure, pneumonia and had multiple bedsores.

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SOURCE: Deseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA

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Police Officers Help Combat Elder Abuse (IL. USA)

Police officers help combat elder abuse

By Kathleen Ostrander

THE STATE JOURNAL-REGISTER

Jul 08, 2009

Chris Bolinger has been the Springfield Police Department’s Elder Service officer for two years. It’s a job he takes as seriously as when he was with the drug unit.

“Chris’ first day on the job,” recalled Jay Magnuson, who prosecutes crimes against the elderly for the Sangamon County State’s Attorney’s office, involved an arrest.

“There was an elderly man, so weak he had to scoot his chair across the kitchen floor to answer the door. His fingernails were two inches long, and the food in the refrigerator was moldy or had maggots in it. He was so thin he looked like a concentration camp refugee. Chris called for an ambulance.

“While they were getting him out, a man drove up in a nice new Corvette and asked Chris what was going on, because he was the man’s son,” Magnuson said. “As soon as he (the man’s son) said he was ‘taking care of’ his father, Chris had the cuffs on him. Chris saves people. That’s it. Pure and simple. He saves people.”

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SOURCE: The State Journal-Register - Springfield,IL,USA

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How Seniors Can Avoid Financial Fraud (MI. USA)

July 7, 2009

According to the Elder Financial Protection Network (www.bewiseonline.org), elder financial abuse may be the “crime of the 21st century” as a quickly growing elder population becomes an attractive target for exploiters and abusers. Here are some ways that older adults can protect themselves from financial fraud:

• Plan ahead and protect your assets. Talk to someone at your financial institution, an attorney, or a financial advisor; don’t wait for a telephone or door-to-door solicitor to contact you.

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SOURCE: Gladwin County Record - Gladwin,MI,USA

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Campaign Aims to Break Silence on Elder Abuse (IL. USA)

BY KATIE ANDERSON

Jacksonville Journal-Courier

July 6, 2009

It is estimated as many as 80,000 older adults in Illinois fall victim to elder abuse in the form of neglect, sexual, physical or mental abuse or financial exploitation each year.

“Each day in Illinois, someone is the victim of elder abuse but most do not receive help because the cases often go unreported,” said Charles D. Johnson, director of the Department on Aging.

To help raise awareness of the abuse that happens to those over 60 years old, the Illinois Department on Aging has launched the first Elder Abuse Awareness month in coordination with its fifth annual “Break the Silence” campaign.

Although more than 11,000 reports of elder abuse were made between July 1, 2008 and June 30, 2009 according to the Department on Aging, the agency suspects dramatically more older Illinoisans are being abused.

“Our seniors deserve to feel safe and to be treated with respect,” Johnson said. “We want people to know there’s help available. If you are a victim, know or suspect someone who is being victimized, pick up the phone to get them some help.”

In 2007, there were 61 cases of elderly abuse received from Morgan, Cass and Scott counties according to the Area Agency on Aging for the Lincolnland area.

The most common substantiated cases were financial exploitation and emotional abuse. There were no claims substantiated of sexual abuse or willful deprivation — willfully denying assistance to an older adult thereby exposing the person to risk of harm.

Verbal assaults, threats of abuse, harassment or intimidation can all be reported as emotional abuse. The misuse or withholding of an elder’s resources to their disadvantage or the profit of another person can be considered financial exploitation.

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SOURCE: Jacksonville Journal-Courier - Jacksonville,IL,USA

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Group Fights Elder Abuse (IL. USA)

Group fights elder abuse

By KANDACE MCCOY

July 05, 2009

This month kicks off the fifth annual statewide “Break the Silence” campaign to raise awareness about elder abuse, and local officials want residents to not only recognize the signs of elder abuse but know how to make a difference.

“The elder abuse program responds to alleged abuse, neglect or financial exploitation of a person 60 years of age or older,” explained Jean Bonhoff, executive director of Senior Services of Jefferson County. “The program provides investigation, intervention and follow up services to victims.”

The Effingham County Committee on Aging is the provider agency for elder abuse in Jefferson, Marion, Clay, Fayette and Effingham counties, Bonhoff clarified, which has seen an increase in reports of elderly abuse.

Bonhoff reports that statistics state between 1 and 2 million Americans ages 65 or older are abused each year.

“They [the elderly] are vulnerable. Abuse can be caused by economic or emotional dependence,” she said.

In most cases, Bonhoff says the abuser is a family member, and elderly females averaging 79 years of age are abused most often.

“A lot of times, along with physical abuse — believe it or not — there is sexual abuse, along with passive neglect, a case where the son or daughter is actually the caregiver to an older person and fails to see that individual has necessities of life — no clothing, food, shelter or the proper medications. A lot of times they like to take the elder person’s money and worry about their own habits before taking care of mom and dad.

The Illinois Department of Aging states the following indicators may point to problems of abuse:

· Untreated injuries, sprains or dislocations, scratches and cuts;

· Sudden changes in behavior and/or withdrawal in social settings;

· A caregiver’s refusal to allow visitors;

· Dehydration, malnutrition, poor personal hygiene, untreated health problems, hazardous or unsafe living conditions; and

· Sudden changes in bank account or banking practices, the inclusion of additional names on a victim’s bank signature card, unauthorized withdrawal of the victim’s funds using the victim’s ATM or credit card and abrupt changes in a will or other financial documents.

Residents who suspect elder abuse are encourage to report it to authorities.

“You can call and make an anonymous report and an investigation will be started,” Bonhoff added. “We will go out and talk to the alleged victim and upon getting their consent, we hope to eliminate any abuse that’s going on.”

If you suspect elder abuse, you may contact the state’s 24-hour Elder Abuse Hotline at (866)-800-1409.

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SOURCE: Mt. Vernon Register-News - Mt. Vernon,IL,USA

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Nurse to go On Trial in Elderly Parents Case (UT. USA)

Nurse to go on trial in parents case

Prosecutors say she tried to kill her mother, father with carbon monoxide

By Linda Thomson

Deseret News

July 6, 2009

A woman prosecutors say tried to kill her elderly parents by leaving a car running in the garage for six hours was bound over for trial on Monday.

Gretchen Bloyer, 54, a registered nurse who lived in her parents' basement in Salt Lake County and was their caretaker for more than four years, allegedly started the ignition of a car in the garage Dec. 4, 2008, and let it run while she left the house for six hours. Later, she called a sister to ask if their parents were dead, according to prosecutor Gregory Ferbrache.

However, defense attorney Tara Isaacson insisted Bloyer was simply burned out from having to care constantly for her parents, ages 85 and 89, and made the melodramatic remark to get her siblings' attention so she could get help for her parents and her own psychological issues.

Bloyer, who was bound over by 3rd District Judge Vernice Trease, has been charged with two counts of attempted murder, a first-degree felony. Prosecutors amended that Monday to include two alternative charges of attempted abuse/neglect of a disabled or elderly person, a second-degree felony.

Kathy Whitaker, Bloyer's sister who lives in Idaho, said she got a disturbing call from her sister that day, asking Whitaker to come to Utah.

She said she was afraid she 'was a danger to myself and my parents, '" Whitaker said.

detective Paul Nielsen testified that his law enforcement experience showed him that carbon monoxide can seep from garages into homes and he is familiar with carbon monoxide suicide deaths. He photographed the home, showing that the house and garage shared the same roof.

Nielsen interviewed Bloyer at the hospital and asked her if she knew why he was there.

Bloyer's next court date is Friday.

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SOURCE: Deseret News - Salt Lake City,UT,USA

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Man Jailed for Vehicle Theft, Kidnapping and Elder Abuse (CA. USA)

Red Bluff man jailed in kidnap report

Staff Report

07/06/2009

A 45-year-old Red Bluff man has been arrested on suspicion of stealing his mother's car, assaulting her and taking her to Sacramento against her will, according to a Red Bluff Police Department press release issued Saturday.

Police were contacted Friday morning by 77-year-old Janice Touchstone when her son, Joseph Touchstone, refused to leave her apartment. When police arrived, they learned Joseph Touchstone had taken his mother's gray 2002 Dodge Neon without her permission.

Further investigation revealed Joseph Touchstone had taken his mother to Sacramento against her will on July 1, and assaulted her when she tried to get the attention of fellow motorists, according to Officer Vincent Marshall.

On Friday, officers found Joseph Touchstone driving the vehicle on Monroe Street. He was arrested on suspicion of vehicle theft, kidnapping and elder abuse and booked into the Tehama County Jail.

Bail is $70,000.

SOURCE: Contra Costa Times - Walnut Creek,CA,USA

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Panel Focuses on the Dangers of Elder Abuse (CA. USA)

Panel focuses on the dangers of elder abuse

By Michelle Knight

knight@theacorn.com

Esperanza Boggs, 89, lost everything after her son, David Boggs, 51, set fire to their Camarillo home and killed himself on June 11.

Described by his mother as armed and dangerous, David Boggs had been under investigation for alleged elder abuse, accused of holding his mother a virtual hostage for years in their home and embezzling $211,000 from her.

He set the home ablaze shortly after Ventura County deputies arrived at the mobile home to serve him with court papers to move out.

Esperanza Boggs' story, although more extreme than most, is familiar to social workers who deal with the increasing problem of elder abuse in Ventura County.

To help protect the county's growing senior population, a panel of experts recently addressed how the elderly can protect themselves from abuse, financial and otherwise, during a discussion at the Goebel Senior Center in Thousand Oaks.

Marcy Snider, coordinator of Ventura County Human Services Agency's adult protective services, said her agency received 2,100 referrals of elder abuse last year.

"This year, we'll easily surpass that," Snider said.

Social workers with adult protective services investigate neglect or abuse and connect elderly victims to resources in the community. The statemandated program is voluntary, free of charge and available to those 65 and older.

Many referrals to the agency involve caregivers not taking proper care of their elderly charges, Snider said. But financial abuse of seniors has become the No. 1 complaint in the past four months, she said.

Snider described an elderly woman in the East County who was lonely and befriended by a salesperson over the phone. Eventually the salesperson scammed her out of $50,000. Scam artists have duped money from retired teachers, lawyers and other well-educated professionals.

Family members and friends have also taken advantage of the elderly, Snider said. Caregivers have bought groceries for the senior but also for themselves and have filled up their gasoline tank on the senior's credit card. The elderly person may have poor eyesight and not notice the extra charges on the statement. A friend or family member may steal blank checks from the bottom of the senior's checkbook so they won't be missed right away.

To report elder or dependent adult abuse, call the 24-hour hotline at (805) 654-3200.

To talk to Pollara, call (805) 654-2505.

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SOURCE: Camarillo Acorn - Camarillo,CA,USA

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