September 8, 2012
Brazil: Reports of Elderly Abuse Rising
From January to May, 7,253 complaints were received by the Ministry of Justice’s Disque 100 hotline, compared with 2,342 during the same period last year.
By Cristine Pires for Infosurhoy.com
07/09/2012
PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil–
Dona Joana Souza (not her real name) did not want to wait for her family to put her in a shelter. She took it upon herself to find a new place to live, so she’d escape the mistreatment she suffered at the hands of her grandson, a crack addict and alcoholic.
In 2006, at the age of 75, she was taken by her niece to stay at the Padre Cacique Shelter in Porto Alegre.
“My grandson beats me to get money for drugs,” Souza said during her interview for admission into the shelter. “I can’t take it anymore.”
Souza lived with her only son and her grandson. Her son suffered from a lung disease and was unable to control the young man, who would come home in a violent pursuit of money to buy crack.
Souza’s son had respiratory complications and died in 2009. A year later, her grandson succumbed to health problems caused by the highly addictive narcotic.
The crack pandemic plaguing Brazil has directly affected the number of reports of violence against the elderly.
“The situation has gotten worse due to drug use among young people,” says psychologist Fernanda Braga of the Court of Justice for the Federal District and Surrounding Territories (TJDFT). “Drug addiction causes behavioral changes and users become more aggressive.”
In June, the Public Defender’s Office of the Federal District at the Plano Piloto Terminal in Brasília implemented a task force to assist senior citizens who had become victims of violence. In their statements, they reported difficulties distancing themselves from their children and grandchildren who abused drugs.
“They feel a mix of fear and pity. But, above all, they feel responsible because they’re being attacked by the people they raised,” Braga adds.
The situation is made worse by low self-esteem, which leads many senior citizens to keep quiet about the violence, Braga says.
“We need to encourage them to file complaints and seek help,” she says.
Psychological violence accounted for 53% of the cases reported to the Public Defender’s task force. The other leading forms of mistreatment cited by those interviewed were negligence and financial exploitation.
In 2011, the Public Defender handled 336 cases of elderly abuse in the Federal District of Brasília – and 66% of victims were targeted by their children.
“Psychological abuse is the main complaint of those who come to Padre Cacique,” says social worker Cristina Pozzer, the shelter’s technical director. “They feel like they’re invisible to the family.”
One hundred fifty senior citizens live at Padre Cacique Shelter in Porto Alegre, capital city of Brazil’s Rio Grande do Sul state. Many were abused and sent over by the Public Ministry or the Police Department’s Senior Citizens Unit. (Carlos Edler for Infosurhoy.com)
One hundred fifty senior citizens live at Padre Cacique. Many were abused and sent over by the Public Ministry or the Police Department’s Senior Citizens Unit.
Most of the reported cases of abuse occurred in the home (84%), and victims’ children are the main offenders (54%), according to the Rio Grande do Sul State Council for the Elderly.
“More data is needed to research elder abuse,” says Paulo Regina de Oliveira Ribeiro, a public defender who specializes in gerontology and elderly health and serves as the coordinator of the Federal District Public Defender’s Elder Defense Center.
Still, Disque 100 (Dial 100), a complaint hotline created by the federal government, reflects the seriousness of the problem: There were 7,253 complaints of elderly abuse from January to May 2012, compared with 2,342 during the same period last year.
But the Ministry of Justice says the increase does not mean that elderly abuse is on the rise – it’s the result of more people reporting cases of abuse.
The cases most commonly reported to Disque 100 include negligence, psychological and physical abuse, as well as financial exploitation.
How to report elderly abuse
Disque 100 hotline
How to find treatment for drug addicts
Narcotics Anonymous
Disque Saúde 136 hotline
Abridged
SOURCE: INFOSURHOY
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September 5, 2012
Swansea Lib Dem Councillor Jailed for Attacking 87-Year-Old Mother (WALES)
(Published on 6 August, 2012)
A Liberal Democrat community councillor has been jailed for four months for punching his 87-year-old mother.
Swansea magistrates heard Simon Arthur, 44, had treated his mother Isabelle Arthur, "like a dog" for years.
He admitted assaulting pensioner Mrs Arthur, who uses a walking stick, in the driveway of their home in Newton near Mumbles.
After the case Swansea Lib Dems said he had been suspended and steps taken to permanently expel him from the party.
Prosecutor Sharon Anderson told the court Mrs Arthur had been out for the day, but she was too scared to return home, choosing to wait in a car park.
"She regularly went to the car park to avoid going home and had even slept there overnight previously," she said.
“He has a nasty temper and has got more controlling since my husband died 22 years ago” Isabelle Arthur .
"Around 8pm she did go home and parked in the driveway but her son had locked all the doors to their home.
"At around 11.30pm he came out of the house and began the attack," Ms Anderson added.
In a statement Mrs Arthur said her son had come over to the driver's side door and grabbed her hair and tried to pull her out of the car.
"It was like he was possessed," she said.
'Nasty temper'
During the attack he had shouted "You'll burn, you'll suffer in the after life", she added.
When police arrived Arthur opened a drawer in the kitchen and grabbed a knife.
He lunged at Pc Greg Bowen who managed to dodge the blade before disarming the councillor, who was a Lib Dem prospective parliamentary candidate in the 2010 general election.
Mrs Arthur said her son had never had a proper job and relied on her for financial support
Abridged
SOURCE: BBC,UK
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September 4, 2012
Aged Care: Carer Fears Wife Will be Forced to Move into a Nursing Home (IRELAND)
Carer fears wife will be forced to move into a nursing home
By Breda Heffernan
September 01 2012
A MAN caring for his sick wife fears she may have to be moved to a nursing home if their help hours are cut.
Mattie Sheridan (66) has been caring for his wife, Bridget (65), since she was diagnosed with dementia in 2006. She also suffered a stroke last week.
Mr Sheridan's own health is poor, and he has been diagnosed with heart problems.
The couple get only three hours of home help a week from the HSE and depend on regular assistance from the Carers Association and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland to get by at their home in Waterford city.
Mr Sheridan said: "I get my wife out of bed in the morning and the carer comes in to help her get washed and dressed.
Consequences
"It's an hour-and-a-half in the mornings and a couple of hours in the evening, two evenings a week and three afternoons."
Mr Sheridan said he struggles with what help they receive, and fears the consequences of losing it under the Government's plan to slash home help provision by 600,000 hours.
"I wouldn't be able to look after my wife," he said.
"I'd love to be able to help her and keep her at home, but they're going to cut us back and give more money to the bank bondholders."
He said cutting home help was a false economy and would cost the State more in the long run.
"If they put my wife into a home, it's going to cost the Government €1,200 to €1,400 a week," he said.
"I worked as a volunteer in the community for years and now they're cutting us down.
"I'm just trying to do the best I can for my wife."
SOURCE: The Independent
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By Breda Heffernan
September 01 2012
A MAN caring for his sick wife fears she may have to be moved to a nursing home if their help hours are cut.
Mattie Sheridan (66) has been caring for his wife, Bridget (65), since she was diagnosed with dementia in 2006. She also suffered a stroke last week.
Mr Sheridan's own health is poor, and he has been diagnosed with heart problems.
The couple get only three hours of home help a week from the HSE and depend on regular assistance from the Carers Association and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland to get by at their home in Waterford city.
Mr Sheridan said: "I get my wife out of bed in the morning and the carer comes in to help her get washed and dressed.
Consequences
"It's an hour-and-a-half in the mornings and a couple of hours in the evening, two evenings a week and three afternoons."
Mr Sheridan said he struggles with what help they receive, and fears the consequences of losing it under the Government's plan to slash home help provision by 600,000 hours.
"I wouldn't be able to look after my wife," he said.
"I'd love to be able to help her and keep her at home, but they're going to cut us back and give more money to the bank bondholders."
He said cutting home help was a false economy and would cost the State more in the long run.
"If they put my wife into a home, it's going to cost the Government €1,200 to €1,400 a week," he said.
"I worked as a volunteer in the community for years and now they're cutting us down.
"I'm just trying to do the best I can for my wife."
SOURCE: The Independent
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Senior Carer in Nursing Home Found Guilty of Drugging Dementia Patients (UK)
"Her priority seemed to be to get some sleep": Carer drugged dementia patients so she could kip
She would put two chairs together and doze off after giving residents pills from her pocket with their orange juice
1 September 2012
By Vicki Smith
A senior carer at a nursing home has been found guilty of drugging dementia patients so she could get a night’s sleep.
Mirela Aionoaei, 37, would put two chairs together and doze off after giving residents pills from her pocket with their orange juice.
She was caught after suspicious colleagues noticed patients becoming drowsy and unsteady on their feet when she was on duty.
They would have to be taken to their beds by wheelchair.
Prosecutor Guy Dilliway-Parry told Harrow crown court her victims “all suffered from mental health conditions that left them vulnerable and unaware of their surroundings.
They could do very little for themselves.
“Some would walk around at night and needed hourly checks, but Aionoaei would put two chairs together and go to sleep, even if the residents were walking around.
“Her priority seemed to be to get some sleep herself.”
Aionoaei, who worked at Ashwood Care Centre in Hayes, West London, was convicted of sedating six elderly residents with anti-insomnia, anti-depressant and anti-psychotic pills between July and December 2010.
She denied the charges but hair samples taken from ¬residents revealed that six of them – four women and two men – had been given ¬sedatives.
Aionoaei, of Hayes, will be sentenced on September 27.
SOURCE: The Mirror, UK
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She would put two chairs together and doze off after giving residents pills from her pocket with their orange juice
1 September 2012
By Vicki Smith
A senior carer at a nursing home has been found guilty of drugging dementia patients so she could get a night’s sleep.
Mirela Aionoaei, 37, would put two chairs together and doze off after giving residents pills from her pocket with their orange juice.
She was caught after suspicious colleagues noticed patients becoming drowsy and unsteady on their feet when she was on duty.
They would have to be taken to their beds by wheelchair.
Prosecutor Guy Dilliway-Parry told Harrow crown court her victims “all suffered from mental health conditions that left them vulnerable and unaware of their surroundings.
They could do very little for themselves.
“Some would walk around at night and needed hourly checks, but Aionoaei would put two chairs together and go to sleep, even if the residents were walking around.
“Her priority seemed to be to get some sleep herself.”
Aionoaei, who worked at Ashwood Care Centre in Hayes, West London, was convicted of sedating six elderly residents with anti-insomnia, anti-depressant and anti-psychotic pills between July and December 2010.
She denied the charges but hair samples taken from ¬residents revealed that six of them – four women and two men – had been given ¬sedatives.
Aionoaei, of Hayes, will be sentenced on September 27.
SOURCE: The Mirror, UK
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Tasmanian Elder Abuse Prevention Helpline Launched (TAS. AUSTRALIA)
27 August 2012
By Cassy O'Connor
Minister for Human Services
The Minister for Human Services, Cassy O'Connor, today launched the Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline to help protect the rights and dignity of some of Tasmania's most vulnerable citizens.
Ms O'Connor said the helpline would provide Tasmanians with confidential advice and information on dealing with and preventing elder abuse.
"The helpline is key to the Government's Elder Abuse Prevention Strategy and will help older people, and their family and friends make informed decisions about suspected elder abuse," Ms O'Connor said.
"I encourage anyone concerned about a suspected elder abuse situation to contact the helpline for advice."
It is estimated up to 4200 older Tasmanians suffer physical, emotional verbal or financial abuse at the hands of someone close to them.
The helpline is run by Advocacy Tasmania and operates 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
The State Government has given Advocacy Tasmania $120,000 to operate the service for 12 months.
Advocacy Tasmania CEO Ken Hardaker said he believed with Tasmania's ageing population that elder abuse was on the rise.
"Advocacy Tasmania is therefore very pleased to be playing an important role in the Tasmanian strategy to address this growing social problem, which affects many of our older citizens," Mr Hardaker said.
Elder abuse can take many forms, and includes the misuse of older people's funds, physical abuse and emotional deprivation or manipulation.
Ms O'Connor said elder abuse was usually carried out by someone close to the older person such as family and friends who they trust.
"Whatever form it takes, elder abuse is simply unacceptable and we need to work together as a community to combat it."
The Tasmanian Government will also fund an Elder Abuse Community Awareness Campaign to run in conjunction with the Helpline.
The Secretary of DHHS has released to all agency staff the Policy Guidelines on responding to suspected Elder Abuse, and staff are required to comply with this policy, its principles and procedures.
The Attorney-General, Mr Wightman, is preparing amendments to the Powers of Attorney Act 2000-, and the Guardianship and Administration Act 1995 to strengthen the protection for older Tasmanians.
There will also commence later this year, a state-wide service provider training on Elder Abuse for all government and non-government services providers that work with older people
Ms O'Connor said the helpline will collect data on elder abuse in Tasmania to inform the Government's ongoing elder abuse prevention efforts.
For further information on the Government's Elder Abuse Prevention Strategy, visit www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/elderabuse.
Contact the Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline on 1800 441 169.
SOURCE: Website of Premier of Tasmania
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By Cassy O'Connor
Minister for Human Services
The Minister for Human Services, Cassy O'Connor, today launched the Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline to help protect the rights and dignity of some of Tasmania's most vulnerable citizens.
Ms O'Connor said the helpline would provide Tasmanians with confidential advice and information on dealing with and preventing elder abuse.
"The helpline is key to the Government's Elder Abuse Prevention Strategy and will help older people, and their family and friends make informed decisions about suspected elder abuse," Ms O'Connor said.
"I encourage anyone concerned about a suspected elder abuse situation to contact the helpline for advice."
It is estimated up to 4200 older Tasmanians suffer physical, emotional verbal or financial abuse at the hands of someone close to them.
The helpline is run by Advocacy Tasmania and operates 9am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
The State Government has given Advocacy Tasmania $120,000 to operate the service for 12 months.
Advocacy Tasmania CEO Ken Hardaker said he believed with Tasmania's ageing population that elder abuse was on the rise.
"Advocacy Tasmania is therefore very pleased to be playing an important role in the Tasmanian strategy to address this growing social problem, which affects many of our older citizens," Mr Hardaker said.
Elder abuse can take many forms, and includes the misuse of older people's funds, physical abuse and emotional deprivation or manipulation.
Ms O'Connor said elder abuse was usually carried out by someone close to the older person such as family and friends who they trust.
"Whatever form it takes, elder abuse is simply unacceptable and we need to work together as a community to combat it."
The Tasmanian Government will also fund an Elder Abuse Community Awareness Campaign to run in conjunction with the Helpline.
The Secretary of DHHS has released to all agency staff the Policy Guidelines on responding to suspected Elder Abuse, and staff are required to comply with this policy, its principles and procedures.
The Attorney-General, Mr Wightman, is preparing amendments to the Powers of Attorney Act 2000-, and the Guardianship and Administration Act 1995 to strengthen the protection for older Tasmanians.
There will also commence later this year, a state-wide service provider training on Elder Abuse for all government and non-government services providers that work with older people
Ms O'Connor said the helpline will collect data on elder abuse in Tasmania to inform the Government's ongoing elder abuse prevention efforts.
For further information on the Government's Elder Abuse Prevention Strategy, visit www.dhhs.tas.gov.au/elderabuse.
Contact the Tasmanian Elder Abuse Helpline on 1800 441 169.
SOURCE: Website of Premier of Tasmania
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August 31, 2012
Widow Alleges Outrageous Financial Abuse (CA. USA)
Widow Alleges Outrageous Financial Abuse
By REBEKAH KEARN
VENTURA, Calif. (CN) -
An elderly, ill widow claims in court that a remodeling company and bank are demanding $8,300 and threatening to take away her home for minor home repairs she refused four times.
Emma Jean Hill, 86, sued U Save Remodeling and EnerBank USA in Superior Court.
Hill says she is an unemployed widow who is completely dependent on "her monthly Social Security check, financial support from family members and a small rental unit behind her home."
It all began on July 10 this year, as she sat on her porch with her 65-year-old daughter, who has diabetes, congestive heart disease and cancer in remission, Hill says.
"While sitting on her front porch, Mrs. Hill was approached by a man who let himself in through the front gate, uninvited. He identified himself as a representative of U Save, and that he wanted to talk to her about installing new windows," the complaint states.
Hill herself is recovering from open heart surgery, has cataracts, severe arthritis, an artificial knee and is hard of hearing, she says in the complaint.
Hill says she could not afford to remodel her house and told U Save's pitch man "no at least 4 times" but he "persisted and continued to convince her to install the windows" until she finally gave in.
Hill says the man, who is not identified in the complaint, had her sign a contract, but she could not read it because it was illegible.
"Mrs. Hill could not read the fine print of the document, and told the U Save representative that she could not read it," the complaint states. "The U Save representative told her specifically that she could pay off the windows for an initial down payment of $300, and a payment plan of $50.00 per month with 'NO INTEREST.' The document called for the outrageous job price of $4,850.00 (for 3 average size windows and 2 small windows and a railing on a small 3 step concrete patio)."
Abridged
SOURCE: The CourtHouseNews
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By REBEKAH KEARN
VENTURA, Calif. (CN) -
An elderly, ill widow claims in court that a remodeling company and bank are demanding $8,300 and threatening to take away her home for minor home repairs she refused four times.
Emma Jean Hill, 86, sued U Save Remodeling and EnerBank USA in Superior Court.
Hill says she is an unemployed widow who is completely dependent on "her monthly Social Security check, financial support from family members and a small rental unit behind her home."
It all began on July 10 this year, as she sat on her porch with her 65-year-old daughter, who has diabetes, congestive heart disease and cancer in remission, Hill says.
"While sitting on her front porch, Mrs. Hill was approached by a man who let himself in through the front gate, uninvited. He identified himself as a representative of U Save, and that he wanted to talk to her about installing new windows," the complaint states.
Hill herself is recovering from open heart surgery, has cataracts, severe arthritis, an artificial knee and is hard of hearing, she says in the complaint.
Hill says she could not afford to remodel her house and told U Save's pitch man "no at least 4 times" but he "persisted and continued to convince her to install the windows" until she finally gave in.
Hill says the man, who is not identified in the complaint, had her sign a contract, but she could not read it because it was illegible.
"Mrs. Hill could not read the fine print of the document, and told the U Save representative that she could not read it," the complaint states. "The U Save representative told her specifically that she could pay off the windows for an initial down payment of $300, and a payment plan of $50.00 per month with 'NO INTEREST.' The document called for the outrageous job price of $4,850.00 (for 3 average size windows and 2 small windows and a railing on a small 3 step concrete patio)."
Abridged
SOURCE: The CourtHouseNews
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Family Secretly Film Carer Abusing Mum
Family secretly film carer abusing mum
By ALASTAIR TAYLOR
30 AUGUST 2012
A NURSING home carer filmed abusing an 89-year-old was jailed yesterday.
The family of dementia sufferer Ivy Robinson used a hidden camera to trap Emma Bryan after spotting bruises on the mum’s hands.
Video:
Family secretly film abuse of mum in nursing home [Please go to SOURCE for video]
EMMA Bryan and Katherine Wells were filmed abusing 89-year-old dementia sufferer Ivy Robinson
Bryan, 29, and colleague Katherine Wallis, 45, were seen dragging Ivy from a chair to a bed. Bryan, senior carer at Oakfoss House home in Pontefract, West Yorks, slapped Ivy on the hand and called her “a nasty old cow” and “a silly t**t”.
Mum-of-one Bryan was sentenced to four months. Wallis got a 12-month community order. Judge Guy Kearl told them: “This neglect is unforgivable and unacceptable.” Both women admitted ill-treatment. Bryan also admitted failing to give medication properly.
After the Leeds Crown Court trial, Ivy’s daughter Angela, 56, said: “To see what mum was subjected to sickened us.”
Abridged
SOURCE: The Sun
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By ALASTAIR TAYLOR
30 AUGUST 2012
A NURSING home carer filmed abusing an 89-year-old was jailed yesterday.
The family of dementia sufferer Ivy Robinson used a hidden camera to trap Emma Bryan after spotting bruises on the mum’s hands.
Video:
Family secretly film abuse of mum in nursing home [Please go to SOURCE for video]
EMMA Bryan and Katherine Wells were filmed abusing 89-year-old dementia sufferer Ivy Robinson
Bryan, 29, and colleague Katherine Wallis, 45, were seen dragging Ivy from a chair to a bed. Bryan, senior carer at Oakfoss House home in Pontefract, West Yorks, slapped Ivy on the hand and called her “a nasty old cow” and “a silly t**t”.
Mum-of-one Bryan was sentenced to four months. Wallis got a 12-month community order. Judge Guy Kearl told them: “This neglect is unforgivable and unacceptable.” Both women admitted ill-treatment. Bryan also admitted failing to give medication properly.
After the Leeds Crown Court trial, Ivy’s daughter Angela, 56, said: “To see what mum was subjected to sickened us.”
Abridged
SOURCE: The Sun
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Agony of Pensioner, 97, Who Broke Her Neck in a Care Home (UK)
Agony of pensioner, 97, who broke her neck in a BUPA care home and was sent to bed with two paracetamol tablets
• Hearing was told Abdullah Khan did not call an ambulance to avoid 'whingeing paramedics'
• The pensioner was left in her bed for nearly two hours
• But he said he didn't dial 999 as he couldn't be '100 per cent' sure what was wrong with her
By Emily Allen
29 August 2012
Hearing: Abdullah Khan, 37, denied ignoring her cries for help and failing to notice she had been seriously injured
A 97-year-old woman was left crying out in agony after she broke her neck at a BUPA care home and was given just two paracetamol tablets, a hearing was told.
The pensioner was left in her bed for nearly two hours before an ambulance was called.
Abdullah Khan, 37, denied ignoring her cries for help and failing to notice she had been seriously injured. The hearing also heard how he did not call an ambulance to avoid ‘whingeing’ paramedics.
But giving evidence he told the Nursing and Midwifery Council he did not call an ambulance because he could not be ‘100 per cent sure’ what was wrong with her.
After a ten minute assessment, he gave the woman two painkillers following the 6am fall and did not bother to check on her again before his shift ended at 7.30am, it was alleged.
The woman fell in her room at the BUPA-run Old Gates Nursing Home in Feniscowles, Blackburn, Lancashire, on March 20 last year.
Senior carer Wendy Aspen took over from Mr Khan at 7.30am, and an ambulance was called shortly afterwards when the woman's condition was discovered.
Lucinda Bernett, chairing the NMC hearing, said: 'Mr Khan stated he did not want to call an ambulance if he was not 100 per cent certain as to the need, since the ambulance staff would be ‘whingeing and upset’ if they were called unnecessarily.
‘As a registered nurse and the senior member of staff on duty at the time, it was Mr Khan’s responsibility to call an ambulance.
Abridged
SOURCE: The DailyMail
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• Hearing was told Abdullah Khan did not call an ambulance to avoid 'whingeing paramedics'
• The pensioner was left in her bed for nearly two hours
• But he said he didn't dial 999 as he couldn't be '100 per cent' sure what was wrong with her
By Emily Allen
29 August 2012
Hearing: Abdullah Khan, 37, denied ignoring her cries for help and failing to notice she had been seriously injured
A 97-year-old woman was left crying out in agony after she broke her neck at a BUPA care home and was given just two paracetamol tablets, a hearing was told.
The pensioner was left in her bed for nearly two hours before an ambulance was called.
Abdullah Khan, 37, denied ignoring her cries for help and failing to notice she had been seriously injured. The hearing also heard how he did not call an ambulance to avoid ‘whingeing’ paramedics.
But giving evidence he told the Nursing and Midwifery Council he did not call an ambulance because he could not be ‘100 per cent sure’ what was wrong with her.
After a ten minute assessment, he gave the woman two painkillers following the 6am fall and did not bother to check on her again before his shift ended at 7.30am, it was alleged.
The woman fell in her room at the BUPA-run Old Gates Nursing Home in Feniscowles, Blackburn, Lancashire, on March 20 last year.
Senior carer Wendy Aspen took over from Mr Khan at 7.30am, and an ambulance was called shortly afterwards when the woman's condition was discovered.
Lucinda Bernett, chairing the NMC hearing, said: 'Mr Khan stated he did not want to call an ambulance if he was not 100 per cent certain as to the need, since the ambulance staff would be ‘whingeing and upset’ if they were called unnecessarily.
‘As a registered nurse and the senior member of staff on duty at the time, it was Mr Khan’s responsibility to call an ambulance.
Abridged
SOURCE: The DailyMail
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August 30, 2012
Arlington Police Investigate Alleged Case of Elderly Abuse Caught on Video
Arlington police investigate alleged case of elderly abuse caught on video at nursing home
By Travis Hudson
August 29, 2012
Arlington police are investigating allegations of elderly abuse at the Heritage Oaks Nursing Home, according to police spokeswoman Tiara Richard.
Mynez Carter, 83, has Alzheimer’s disease and is being cared for at Heritage Oaks. Her family became concerned when she became fearful around relatives and had unexplained bruises. Carter’s two daughters placed a hidden camera in the room and were shocked by what it captured.
The video, which was released to Fox 4, shows workers pinching Carter and being forceful with her.
“My heart started racing and I was horrified,” Carter’s daughter Freddie Johnson told Fox.
Carter’s two daughters brought the video to nursing home administrator Jerry Warren, who disagreed with their interpretation of the treatment but did open an internal investigation into the matter.
The daughters also filed a police report, which is now being investigated by an Arlington police detective.
SOURCE: The DallasNews, CrimeBlog
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By Travis Hudson
August 29, 2012
Arlington police are investigating allegations of elderly abuse at the Heritage Oaks Nursing Home, according to police spokeswoman Tiara Richard.
Mynez Carter, 83, has Alzheimer’s disease and is being cared for at Heritage Oaks. Her family became concerned when she became fearful around relatives and had unexplained bruises. Carter’s two daughters placed a hidden camera in the room and were shocked by what it captured.
The video, which was released to Fox 4, shows workers pinching Carter and being forceful with her.
“My heart started racing and I was horrified,” Carter’s daughter Freddie Johnson told Fox.
Carter’s two daughters brought the video to nursing home administrator Jerry Warren, who disagreed with their interpretation of the treatment but did open an internal investigation into the matter.
The daughters also filed a police report, which is now being investigated by an Arlington police detective.
SOURCE: The DallasNews, CrimeBlog
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Prescription Medication Theft, Abuse Increasing
The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and AARP Minnesota are teaming up to urge awareness concerning prescription medication theft and abuse.
The abuse of prescription medication is the fastest-growing type of illegal drug use in the U.S. Approximately 70 percent of abusers say that they obtained their supply prescription medications from friends and family. The Sheriff’s Office is urging senior citizens to take precaution to prevent theft of medications, according to a news release.
“This is a serious type of elder abuse and I urge all seniors and their families to be aware of potential of theft and abuse,” said Hennepin County Sheriff Rich Stanek, “Keep prescriptions in a secure location, monitor supplies, and take additional precautions if pills are missing.”
AARP has a booth at the Minnesota State Fair (located in the Education Building at Dan Patch Avenue and Cosgrove Street.) On Thursday, Aug. 30, during Senior Citizen Day at the fair, representatives from the Sheriff’s Office will be handing out informational flyers that describe prevention of medication abuse and theft.
The average 75-year-old has three chronic conditions and uses five prescription drugs. Abusers may target seniors and their homes as a source of prescription medications. They may know when a prescription is filled and when to visit the senior.
In some cases, an abuser may withhold certain amounts medications so that the proper dosage is not available to the senior. Theft or withholding of medication from an older person -- may lead to increased pain, risk of injury, and even death. The senior citizen may be at greater risk of requiring nursing home care if medications are stolen or withheld in their homes.
Seniors are reminded that expired and unwanted medications should NOT be stored in the home. They should dispose of medications properly.
Hennepin County residents may drop off unwanted and expired medicines at disposal boxes at three Sheriff’s Office facilities in Brooklyn Park, Spring Park, and downtown Minneapolis. Removing unwanted medications may help reduce the supply that could potentially be stolen or abused. The disposal service is free.
Properly disposing of unused medicines is important to prevent abuse or poisoning and protect the environment. Storing medicines in the home poses safety and health threats. Prescription drug abuse is a growing problem, especially among teens, and accidental poisonings from medicines are on the rise. Medicines flushed down the drain or disposed of in the trash can contaminate bodies of water, harm wildlife and end up in drinking water supplies.
In Hennepin County, there are three locations for medicine drop-off boxes. The boxes are self-serve and located in the lobby at each location. Pull the handle to open and drop the medicine into the box.
SOURCE: The EdenPrairieNews
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