An Age for Justice: Confronting Elder Abuse in America

An Age for Justice: Confronting Elder Abuse in America

Watch this compelling video,  produced by the Elder Justice Now campaign. It shows the families and individuals whose lives have been turned upside down by elder abuse. The video provides stark proof of the financial, emotional, and physical and psychological impact of the violence and abuse that an estimated five million Americans face every day. We hear from Vicki Bastion, 92, who installed a security gate inside her home to protect herself and what valuables she had left from her grandson and his gang‐related friends; Betty Beckles talks about her daughter beating her; Bob Lee tells us about his father, who was victimized by a paid caregiver causes depression that contributed to his death; and Pat Smith tells us about her husband, who has Alzheimer’s disease and was victimized financially by a young woman in Las Vegas who walked with $750,000. The video was produced by the National Council on Aging and WITNESS, to shine the light on what one interviewee called a “dark mark on our humanity.” (Note: copy  from The Hub blog, by Kelly Matheson,  of Witness)

Please go to SOURCE to view the Video ELDER FINANCIAL PROTECTION NETWORK ‘THE REPORTER’

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Elder Abuse Is Not Limited Just To rich Like Brooke Astor (USA)

Elder abuse is not limited just to rich like Brooke Astor

By Patriot-News Op-Ed

November 04, 2009

An Associated Press story in The Patriot-News, “Case highlights elder abuse,” (Oct. 18) discussed how aging and wealthy New York socialite Brooke Astor was exploited by her son, Anthony Marshall.

In October, Marshall was convicted of defrauding his mother and stealing millions of dollars from her $200 million fortune as she suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. This case is a reminder that seniors are at risk for exploitation and abuse and might be vulnerable to the very people in whom they place their trust.

This risk is not limited to wealthy socialites. The physical, emotional and financial abuse of our elders is a state and national concern.

With two million residents over age 65, Pennsylvania ranks third in the country in senior population. We need our seniors, and we must exert attention and vigilance to protect this highly valued generation.

How can we prevent elder abuse? Fortunately, many resources provide protection for our older loved ones besides relatives, friends and neighbors serving as the eyes and ears on the front line of defense.

You might notice signs of malnutrition and physical harm or evidence of financial changes or estate manipulation. The state Department of Aging and the 52 area Agencies on Aging will investigate these reports.

The Pennsylvania attorney general’s elder abuse hot line is 1-866-623-2137, and the unit will prosecute those who cheat, deceive or abuse older Pennsylvanians. You also might e-mail elderabuse@attorneygeneral.gov to fill out an elderly abuse complaint form. Always notify police if a crime against a senior is reasonably suspected.

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SOURCE:     PennLive.Com

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Rogersville Teenager Arrested For Beating Up His Grandmother (TN. USA)

Rogersville teenager arrested for beating up his grandmother

19 year old Johnny Skeens is charged with willful elder abuse for allegedly assaulting his 60 year old grandmother.

By DAVID MCAVOY

Digital Journalist/ WJHL
November 4, 2009 


A Rogersville teenager has been charged with willful elder abuse after police say he assaulted his 60 year old grandmother. Police say 19 year old Johnny Skeens, 309 Western Heights Drive, Rogersville, assaulted his 60 year old grandmother, Kathy Lawson. The victim’s brother, Charles Jarvis, told police the abuse by Skeens had been an ongoing problem for the last year. Jarvis also told the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Department that his sister would not ask for help from anyone. Officers went to speak with Kathy Lawson at her home, at which time an officer noticed several obvious bruises on her arms and face. Mrs. Lawson also stated that she had a large bruise on her left leg. She told the officers that her grandson, Johnny Skeens, was responsible for the bruises.

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SOURCE:    TriCities.Com
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California Watchdog Worries Elder Abuse Underreported (CA. USA)

November 3, 2009

A state watchdog group says elder abuse may be underreported, in part because of budget cuts to ombudsman programs.

The California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes says the number of complaints from ombudsmen are down more than 40 percent since budget cuts were enacted last year.

The report's authors fear the decline in reports means abuse is going unreported in the state's elder care facilities.

Last October, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger cut all state funding for the ombudsman program, dropping the budget to $4 million in federal funds for fiscal year 2009, down from $7.9 million the previous year.

In many parts of the state, budget cuts have resulted in staffing cuts, and fewer facilities are being checked for problems.

SOURCE:    SFGATE.COM
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Nigeria: Is It Sunset For the Extended Family (AFRICA)

Nigeria: Is It Sunset For the Extended Family?

By Nathaniel Jonah

1 November 2009

Abuja — The family structure as we know it in Africa has been distorted as a result of a storm of economic and social factors. People today are becoming more individualistic, and the old sense of brotherhood which held society together is vanishing.

If the emerging trend in the contemporary Nigerian society is anything to go by, then the good old extended family system might as well be falling into the dust bin of history.

It is strange that many elders have become street beggars in Nigeria. You may ask: where are the children of these elderly beggars? Obviously,the extended family system is fast disappearing leaving selfishness as a virtue.


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SOURCE:    All Africa.Com 

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"High-Return" Investiment Schemes Target Affluent Seniors (USA)

International Banking Group's ultra-high-interest claims can't be verified

By Mc Nelly Torres
ConsumerAffairs.com
Copyright © 2009 All Rights Reserved

November 2, 2009

An attractive brochure express-mailed by the International Banking Group to seniors living in affluent areas claims the company's certificates of deposit (CD’s) earn above average interest rates.

IBG lists 12 U.S. banks and several international institutions as the banks that supposedly issue the high-interest CDs, and claims that since its retail division was founded in 2008, the company has serviced over 35,000 new accounts worldwide.

But five of the seven banks contacted by ConsumerAffairs.com said they have never heard of IBG and at least one of them is in the process of seeking legal action because they claim that IBG uses their logo without permission. And state officials in California, where the company claims to have a Beverly Hills office, opened an inquiry after ConsumerAffairs.com asked questions about the registration requirements for corporations operating in the state.

“It looks like they [IBG] should be registered and that would make them in violation of the law,” said Mark Leyes, a spokesman for the California Department of Corporations. “Because we are aware of it, we are looking into the matter.”

Consumers in California and Florida have complained that IBG staff is making cold calls to seniors living in exclusive retirement communities, making sales pitches on the phone before mailing its brochure overnight. 

Disappearing act

IBG denies any wrongdoing but recently took down its Web site.

Seniors at risk

In a volatile economy, small investors, including seniors, are more likely to fall victims to risky investments, financial scams and unscrupulous financial brokers, experts say. Elder financial abuse cost older Americans more than $2.6 billion annually, according to a 2009 report by Metlife Mature Market Institute.

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SOURCE:    Consumers Affairs.Com

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Crimes Against Aging Parents Rise As Economy Falters (USA)

Exploiting their elders: Crimes against aging parents rise as economy falters

BY KYM KLASS

NOVEMBER 1, 2009

Officials say the downturn in the economy has led to far greater exploitation of the elderly as younger family members prey upon older relatives.

More and more, adult children are moving in with aging parents because of the tough economic times and then victimizing them. What can start as using some of their parents' money for gas can escalate into totally wiping out their parents' assets, according to area officials.

What Is Adult Exploitation?

The simple definition of adult exploitation is the improper use of an elderly person's funds, property or assets. This includes cashing a check without permission, forging a signature, or misusing or stealing an elderly person's money or possessions.

How The Elderly Are Tricked

Some say it is not that hard to trick some elderly people because they are trusting and grew up in a time when they kept their doors unlocked. They gave money to their neighbors, friends, even strangers, without question.

Education

The AARP provides information on consumer fraud, identity protection and on Thursday will offer everyone a chance to shred personal documents.

"The biggest issues for fraud these days are affinity fraud, and that is fraud that is perpetrated by people you know -- family, friends, church people," Carter said. 


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SOURCE:   The Montgomery Advertiser
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Nurses Want Early Action To Fix Aged Care (AUSTRALIA)

Nurses want early action to fix aged care

(Media Release
30 October, 2009

120 nurses from around Australia will today urge Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon to take action and address major challenges facing the aged care sector in the next decade.

Ged Kearney, Federal Secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) said that Ms Roxon will address the Biennial Australian Nursing Federation Conference in Manly this morning on the challenges facing health systems across Australia, in particular the challenge of the ageing population.

“We will urge the Federal Government to address the workforce issues that threaten to undermine the future of the aged care sector in Australia.

“At the top of the list will be assistance from the Federal Government to address the massive pay gap between aged care nursing staff and their colleagues in the public health system, which is up to $15,000 per year.

“The ANF has a four point plan to address these issues and ensure Australia continues to have a high quality aged care sector.

“Firstly, we need to halt the exodus of Registered and Enrolled nurses from aged care and ensure our nursing homes have the right mix of staff to get the job done by introducing a minimum staffing ratio.

“Secondly, we need to lift skill levels across the board, from nurses to personal carers by ensuring there is a minimum qualification requirement and a well structured career path for nurses and personal carers.

“Thirdly, to get more people into the industry and to hold onto the excellent staff we already have, we need to increase pay.

“And finally, we need make sure that any extra funding from the Federal Government flows through to aged care staff so they can deliver the best care possible - that means proper acquittal processes for aged care funding,” Ms Kearney said.

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SOURCE:   The Australian Nursing Federation

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Stop, Theft! Identity Tips Aid Seniors (USA)

Stop, thief! Identity theft tips aid seniors, others

October 30, 2009

 By JIM MERRITT

 Special to Newsday

What is a consumer to do when a Social Security number, address and personal information have been stolen.

It was a nasty trick, and no treat. Last month, Ms. H, who lives on the South Shore, received a letter from her drug benefits administrator, alerting her to a potential financial nightmare.

Ms. H, 81, learned that she was among the victims of a massive identity theft, which had occurred the year before, but was discovered only recently.

Her Social Security number, home address and other personal information were in the hands of a thief, who was threatening to disclose the information to extort money from the company. (The case is now being investigated by the FBI.)

How they steal
Some steal your wallet or mail to obtain your Social Security number. But more sophisticated identity thieves collect personal data through the Internet, deceptive phone calls to their targets and ID card "skimming."

The information can be used to obtain financing on an automobile, or even to apply for a mortgage on a home, using personal information gathered without your consent -- or even knowledge -- from private records.

(Worth going to SOURCE for full-text)

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SOURCE:    NewsDay.Com

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Woman Convicted On Elder Abuse Charge

Woman convicted on elder abuse charge

Shirley M. Wilson, 80, left her 82-year-old stroke-victim husband in a back room of a junk yard office

BY SEAN O’SULLIVAN

THE NEWS JOURNAL

OCTOBER 30, 2009

An 80-year-old woman – who pulled her 82-year-old stroke-victim husband out of a nursing home, refused in-home nursing care and took him to live in the back room of a junkyard office – was convicted this week of one count of elder abuse and two counts of attempting to violate a no-contact order.

Deputy Attorney General Lisa Barchi told the jury in her closing statements that the case was all about money and Shirley M. Wilson’s inability to part with any.

She said Wilson has plenty of assets but did not want to pay for her ailing husband to stay in a nursing home, did not want to pay for in-home health care and did not want to evict anyone from any of the three homes they owned, including one at the beach, because that would reduce the income she was getting from rent.

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SOURCE:   The Delaware Online


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