Family files lawsuit in case of elder abuse
Saturday, Mar 15, 2008 - 11:43 PM Updated: 12:04 AM
By Patricia Burkett
A wrongful death lawsuit has now been filed in the case of 62-year-old Mary Terry.
She died in February as a result of severe malnutrition.
Police say she had not been fed for at least 30 days when they found her.
Two family members were in charge of her.
However, other family members have sued the State Department of Social Services, the Darlington County Department of Social Services, caretaker Lisa Gibson and social worker Ada Antoine, who were assigned to the case.
On Friday, Darlington Police arrested a social worker in the Terry case.
D.S.S. employee Lisa Gibson turned herself in.
Police say she checked on Terry and eventually Terry's mother, and did not report when Terry was near death.
Her charge is a misdemeanor.
Police say Terry's son, Timothy Sims, and his cousin, Less Williams, were Terry's caretakers.
Authorities say the two men essentially starved her to death.
Both men are charged with abuse of a vulnerable adult resulting in death.
Family members Andrew Gurley and Clarence Sims filed a lawsuit in the case.
They claim in the lawsuit that several people and agencies were responsible for checking up on Terry, and failed to do so.
Abridged.
SOURCE: morningNewsOnline
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March 17, 2008
March 16, 2008
Report to Senate Aging Committee: One in 9 Senior Citizens Going Hungry (USA)
One in 9 Senior Citizens Going Hungry Says Report to Senate Aging Committee
By Senior Journal
March 10, 2008
Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) says 35 million Americans going hungry, senior citizens are ‘disproportionately affected’
One out of every nine senior citizens in America is going hungry, according to testimony last week at a hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, which was called by the ranking member, Senator Gordon H. Smith (R-OR). Smith said 35 million Americans are going hungry and senior citizens are “disproportionately affected.”
A major reason for the hearing was to showcase the release of findings by the Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) Foundation, which quantifies the problems and causes of hunger that seniors face and how these trends will continue into the future as our society ages.
Key findings included:
● In 2005, over five million seniors, 11.4% of all seniors, experienced some form of food insecurity (i.e., are marginally food insecure).>> Of these, about 2.5 million are at-risk of hunger (i.e. are food insecure), and about 750,000 actually experienced hunger (i.e., very low food security) due to financial constraints.
● Seniors are more likely to be at-risk of hunger if they are ages 60 to 65, poor, African-American or Hispanic, divorced or separated, living with a grandchild and/or renters.
● In 2025, an estimated 9.3 million senior Americans will experience some form of food insecurity, almost double the number in 2005.
● In 2025, an estimated 3.7 million senior Americans will be at-risk of hunger.
● In 2025, almost one million senior Americans will suffer from hunger. “Federal programs like the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the Elderly Nutrition Program, as well as non-profit organizations such as Meals on Wheels, make a huge impact by delivering food directly to seniors in their own homes,” said Committee Chair Herb Kohl (D-WI), in an opening statement that also thanked Sen. Smith for chairing the hearing.
Abridged
SOURCE: seniorjournal
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By Senior Journal
March 10, 2008
Sen. Gordon Smith (R-OR) says 35 million Americans going hungry, senior citizens are ‘disproportionately affected’
One out of every nine senior citizens in America is going hungry, according to testimony last week at a hearing of the Senate Special Committee on Aging, which was called by the ranking member, Senator Gordon H. Smith (R-OR). Smith said 35 million Americans are going hungry and senior citizens are “disproportionately affected.”
A major reason for the hearing was to showcase the release of findings by the Meals on Wheels Association of America (MOWAA) Foundation, which quantifies the problems and causes of hunger that seniors face and how these trends will continue into the future as our society ages.
Key findings included:
● In 2005, over five million seniors, 11.4% of all seniors, experienced some form of food insecurity (i.e., are marginally food insecure).>> Of these, about 2.5 million are at-risk of hunger (i.e. are food insecure), and about 750,000 actually experienced hunger (i.e., very low food security) due to financial constraints.
● Seniors are more likely to be at-risk of hunger if they are ages 60 to 65, poor, African-American or Hispanic, divorced or separated, living with a grandchild and/or renters.
● In 2025, an estimated 9.3 million senior Americans will experience some form of food insecurity, almost double the number in 2005.
● In 2025, an estimated 3.7 million senior Americans will be at-risk of hunger.
● In 2025, almost one million senior Americans will suffer from hunger. “Federal programs like the Commodity Supplemental Food Program and the Elderly Nutrition Program, as well as non-profit organizations such as Meals on Wheels, make a huge impact by delivering food directly to seniors in their own homes,” said Committee Chair Herb Kohl (D-WI), in an opening statement that also thanked Sen. Smith for chairing the hearing.
Abridged
SOURCE: seniorjournal
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Do We Care About Our Elders? (India)
Do We Care About Our Elders? (India)
By Teena Jain, LiveMint
February 25, 2008
There don’t seem to be effective health insurance policies for senior citizens in India. Mint takes a look at what ails the system and puts forward a wish list
India’s greying population is growing every day. According to World Population Prospects (the population estimates arm of the United Nations), India’s senior citizens will number 112 million by 2015, up from 77 million in 2001. For many of them, however, health remains a primary area of concern. That’s where health insurance policies meant specifically for senior citizens can be a lifesaver.
Yet, some say their premium rates have been doubled over the past year, others say insurance companies have in instances refused to renew their policies. Finance minister P. Chidambaram, in his budget speech last year, directed three public sector insurance companies to provide health insurance policies specifically for the older generation.
THE WISH LIST
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By Teena Jain, LiveMint
February 25, 2008
There don’t seem to be effective health insurance policies for senior citizens in India. Mint takes a look at what ails the system and puts forward a wish list
India’s greying population is growing every day. According to World Population Prospects (the population estimates arm of the United Nations), India’s senior citizens will number 112 million by 2015, up from 77 million in 2001. For many of them, however, health remains a primary area of concern. That’s where health insurance policies meant specifically for senior citizens can be a lifesaver.
Yet, some say their premium rates have been doubled over the past year, others say insurance companies have in instances refused to renew their policies. Finance minister P. Chidambaram, in his budget speech last year, directed three public sector insurance companies to provide health insurance policies specifically for the older generation.
THE WISH LIST
- Increase in maximum sum insured
- Limited co-payment
- No entry load
- No limits /sub-limits on major illnesses
- Medical testsSeniors are reluctant to opt for these policies because of the expense. The list of tests is long and costs can range from Rs1,500-2,000. For expensive tests, such as stress thallium, which scans for cardiovascular health and blood vessel blockages (Star Health needs one), the bill can add up to Rs10,000. Sood says, “If companies start sharing part of the costs for these tests, more people will opt for these policies and it would also help insurance companies keep a track on false claims.”
Abridged.
SOURCE: livemint
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Flint Township man accused of preying on elderly Flint woman
by Bryn Mickle The Flint Journal
Friday March 14, 2008, 10:37 AM
Flint, Michigan -- A Flint Township handyman is suspected of stealing $23,000 from an elderly stroke victim whom he allegedly befriended.
After the 81-year-old Flint woman gave the man power of attorney, he sold her house, took money from her checking account and cashed one of her certificates of deposit, said Genesee County Prosecutor David S. Leyton.
Genesee County Sheriff Robert J. Pickell called the allegations the work of a "bottom feeder."
"She signed everything over to him," Pickell said.
Brian S. Vanwormer, 46, was expected to turn himself in for arraignment this morning on felony charges of embezzlement of $20,000 or more and embezzlement from a vulnerable adult. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Abridged
SOURCE: flintJournal
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by Bryn Mickle The Flint Journal
Friday March 14, 2008, 10:37 AM
Flint, Michigan -- A Flint Township handyman is suspected of stealing $23,000 from an elderly stroke victim whom he allegedly befriended.
After the 81-year-old Flint woman gave the man power of attorney, he sold her house, took money from her checking account and cashed one of her certificates of deposit, said Genesee County Prosecutor David S. Leyton.
Genesee County Sheriff Robert J. Pickell called the allegations the work of a "bottom feeder."
"She signed everything over to him," Pickell said.
Brian S. Vanwormer, 46, was expected to turn himself in for arraignment this morning on felony charges of embezzlement of $20,000 or more and embezzlement from a vulnerable adult. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 10 years in prison.
Abridged
SOURCE: flintJournal
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March 15, 2008
Calls for Medical Training Review - Ireland
Age Action calls for medical training review in wake of findings of studies
03/03/2008
Age Action has called for a review of the on-going pharmacological training received by doctors dealing with older patients, in the wake of the two separate studies which found that older patients were receiving inappropriate medications.
The older people’s charity issued its call in the wake of a new study, published in the current edition of Age and Ageing, which found that one-third of patients aged over-65 admitted to Cork University Hospital’s accident and emergency department were on inappropriate medication. Of these, 16% had suffered adverse effects such as falls, kidney failure and gastrointestinal bleeding as a result of the inappropriate medication.
This follows a separate study, details of which were published last week, that a large number of older people in nursing homes were inappropriately being prescribed antipsychotic drugs which can increase mortality, heart attacks and strokes. Such drugs are often used inappropriately to sedate patients.
“The medical profession must act, as a matter of urgency, to address the issues raised by these two studies,” Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said. “Failure to do so would seriously undermine public confidence in the profession.
“When somebody is given a prescription by their GP they presume they are receiving a medication which is the most appropriate for them and which is safe. These two studies suggest that this is not the case for the minority of older people surveyed. The causes of such inappropriate prescribing must be identified and addressed in order to reassure the public.”
SOURCE: ageactionIreland
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03/03/2008
Age Action has called for a review of the on-going pharmacological training received by doctors dealing with older patients, in the wake of the two separate studies which found that older patients were receiving inappropriate medications.
The older people’s charity issued its call in the wake of a new study, published in the current edition of Age and Ageing, which found that one-third of patients aged over-65 admitted to Cork University Hospital’s accident and emergency department were on inappropriate medication. Of these, 16% had suffered adverse effects such as falls, kidney failure and gastrointestinal bleeding as a result of the inappropriate medication.
This follows a separate study, details of which were published last week, that a large number of older people in nursing homes were inappropriately being prescribed antipsychotic drugs which can increase mortality, heart attacks and strokes. Such drugs are often used inappropriately to sedate patients.
“The medical profession must act, as a matter of urgency, to address the issues raised by these two studies,” Age Action spokesman Eamon Timmins said. “Failure to do so would seriously undermine public confidence in the profession.
“When somebody is given a prescription by their GP they presume they are receiving a medication which is the most appropriate for them and which is safe. These two studies suggest that this is not the case for the minority of older people surveyed. The causes of such inappropriate prescribing must be identified and addressed in order to reassure the public.”
SOURCE: ageactionIreland
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Nursing Home Abuse Reports Must Be Published - Ireland
Nursing home abuse reports must be published
03/02/2008
Age Action believes that the general public, and people trying to select a nursing home for themselves or older relatives, have a right to know if serious cases of abuse and sub-standard care have been investigated and substantiated at any home.
The older people’s charity was responding to weekend newspaper reports (Irish Independent, February 2, 2008) that documents released under the Freedom of Information have revealed that HSE investigations have confirmed instances of residents being assaulted, restrained, over-sedated or allowed wander from a number of public and private homes.
Details of these investigations – which occurred in 2005 and 2006 -- have never been made public. The reports also show that admissions to a number of homes were temporarily suspended. Again the public was not told.
The investigations are not referred to either in the HSE inspection reports of private nursing homes. Currently, there are no inspections of public nursing homes.
“Age Action is concerned that at the lack of transparency within the HSE when it comes to telling the public what is happening within our nursing homes,” Age Action’s Head of Advocacy and Communications Eamon Timmins said.
“This information is vital for families trying to select a nursing home and to home residents and families with relatives in homes. It is also important to reassure the public that the HSE is investigating all complaints and ensuring that everything is being done to protect one of the most vulnerable sections of our society.”
Age Action is particularly concerned by one of the HSE documents which found that the breaches at a nursing home in the south east were of a very serious nature and, if they happened again, would result in a prosecution being sought and An Bord Altranais being informed. Age Action believes if serious breaches of regulations occur prosecutions and reports to the nursing board should be sought on the first occasion.
“Serious breaches of care standards must result in a tough response from the HSE in order to protect people,” Mr Timmins said. “It is too late to take stringent measures after a second serious breach has occurred.”
Age Action believes that investigaton reports of cases where abuse of older people is confirmed should be made public. “There may be legal obstacles to be overcome in order to do this, but every effort should be made to resolve these difficulties,” Mr Timmins said. “If closure orders against chip shops and restaurants can be published, then surely the findings of nursing home investigations can be made public.”
The documents highlight the need for more stringent standards, inspection, training and supervision of nursing home staff.
SOURCE: ageActionIreland
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03/02/2008
Age Action believes that the general public, and people trying to select a nursing home for themselves or older relatives, have a right to know if serious cases of abuse and sub-standard care have been investigated and substantiated at any home.
The older people’s charity was responding to weekend newspaper reports (Irish Independent, February 2, 2008) that documents released under the Freedom of Information have revealed that HSE investigations have confirmed instances of residents being assaulted, restrained, over-sedated or allowed wander from a number of public and private homes.
Details of these investigations – which occurred in 2005 and 2006 -- have never been made public. The reports also show that admissions to a number of homes were temporarily suspended. Again the public was not told.
The investigations are not referred to either in the HSE inspection reports of private nursing homes. Currently, there are no inspections of public nursing homes.
“Age Action is concerned that at the lack of transparency within the HSE when it comes to telling the public what is happening within our nursing homes,” Age Action’s Head of Advocacy and Communications Eamon Timmins said.
“This information is vital for families trying to select a nursing home and to home residents and families with relatives in homes. It is also important to reassure the public that the HSE is investigating all complaints and ensuring that everything is being done to protect one of the most vulnerable sections of our society.”
Age Action is particularly concerned by one of the HSE documents which found that the breaches at a nursing home in the south east were of a very serious nature and, if they happened again, would result in a prosecution being sought and An Bord Altranais being informed. Age Action believes if serious breaches of regulations occur prosecutions and reports to the nursing board should be sought on the first occasion.
“Serious breaches of care standards must result in a tough response from the HSE in order to protect people,” Mr Timmins said. “It is too late to take stringent measures after a second serious breach has occurred.”
Age Action believes that investigaton reports of cases where abuse of older people is confirmed should be made public. “There may be legal obstacles to be overcome in order to do this, but every effort should be made to resolve these difficulties,” Mr Timmins said. “If closure orders against chip shops and restaurants can be published, then surely the findings of nursing home investigations can be made public.”
The documents highlight the need for more stringent standards, inspection, training and supervision of nursing home staff.
SOURCE: ageActionIreland
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Injured Elderly Woman: Offender Sentence Halved By Paying £750
Sentence halved as offender pays £750
By Stephen Adams
Last Updated: 1:14am GMT 13/03/2008
A man who broke an elderly woman's hip when he pushed her over had his prison sentence halved yesterday after agreeing to get £750 from his bank towards compensation.
Gary Hickton knocked down Shirley Smith, 72, because he thought she was in his way.
When Hickton, 42, appeared at Norwich Crown Court for sentence after admitting wounding, Judge Paul Downes learned that he had received £5,400 in redundancy.
He told Hickton that he would bail him for an hour to get the cash. "I don't want anybody to think I am bargaining with you," the judge said, "but if you can come up with compensation, your sentence will be substantially reduced. I am thinking of 750 [pounds]."
However, Gary Fitzgerald, the chief executive of the campaign group Action on Elder Abuse, criticised the judge. "It's almost like saying you can buy our way out of trouble. If you've got the money, you might not have to deal with the consequences."
Abridged.
SOURCE: thetelegraphUK
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By Stephen Adams
Last Updated: 1:14am GMT 13/03/2008
A man who broke an elderly woman's hip when he pushed her over had his prison sentence halved yesterday after agreeing to get £750 from his bank towards compensation.
Gary Hickton knocked down Shirley Smith, 72, because he thought she was in his way.
When Hickton, 42, appeared at Norwich Crown Court for sentence after admitting wounding, Judge Paul Downes learned that he had received £5,400 in redundancy.
He told Hickton that he would bail him for an hour to get the cash. "I don't want anybody to think I am bargaining with you," the judge said, "but if you can come up with compensation, your sentence will be substantially reduced. I am thinking of 750 [pounds]."
However, Gary Fitzgerald, the chief executive of the campaign group Action on Elder Abuse, criticised the judge. "It's almost like saying you can buy our way out of trouble. If you've got the money, you might not have to deal with the consequences."
Abridged.
SOURCE: thetelegraphUK
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March 14, 2008
Scams Through the Mail - USA
The checks are in the mail - but he doesn't want them
By Russ Lemmon (Contact)
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Peek inside Jim Nugent's den and the first thing you notice is memorabilia from the White House administrations of Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. He knew them both on a first-name basis.
Take a longer look and you'll see a big pile of letters on the floor.
They are letters he has accumulated during the past year. They are not from family, friends and former colleagues, but from schemers and swindlers around the globe.
As of Thursday, the count was 1,364.
"They are from London, Australia, Singapore, Madrid, Nigeria, the Cayman Islands — you name it," he said. "I'm sick and tired of this."
The letter writers usually ask him to send money ($775, citing a recent example in a letter from Jamaica), and in return he will receive a very large amount ($4 million, the Jamaican letter promised).
Ed Moffitt, who works in the Orlando office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, says the level of susceptibility among seniors may be tied to their financial situation.
Advance-fee fraud victims ignore the applicable adage — "if it's too good to be true, it probably is" — and may view the promised money as "a godsend," Moffitt said.
Nugent says authorities told him a woman in southwest Florida has lost nearly $100,000 in advance-fee scams, and a man in southeast Florida is out more than $40,000.
(Abridged)
SOURCE: tcPalm
-------------------------------
Scams via normal postal service or email; is the same in most countries. I have received such scam-mails, always block and bounced the mail back to the sender. Or, I log on to my ISP and report such mails as SPAM. Regarding postal scam-mails; I just threw them in the bin. Let me echo: "If it's too good to be true, it is NOT genuine!".
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By Russ Lemmon (Contact)
Thursday, March 13, 2008
Peek inside Jim Nugent's den and the first thing you notice is memorabilia from the White House administrations of Richard Nixon and Ronald Reagan. He knew them both on a first-name basis.
Take a longer look and you'll see a big pile of letters on the floor.
They are letters he has accumulated during the past year. They are not from family, friends and former colleagues, but from schemers and swindlers around the globe.
As of Thursday, the count was 1,364.
"They are from London, Australia, Singapore, Madrid, Nigeria, the Cayman Islands — you name it," he said. "I'm sick and tired of this."
The letter writers usually ask him to send money ($775, citing a recent example in a letter from Jamaica), and in return he will receive a very large amount ($4 million, the Jamaican letter promised).
Ed Moffitt, who works in the Orlando office of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service, says the level of susceptibility among seniors may be tied to their financial situation.
Advance-fee fraud victims ignore the applicable adage — "if it's too good to be true, it probably is" — and may view the promised money as "a godsend," Moffitt said.
Nugent says authorities told him a woman in southwest Florida has lost nearly $100,000 in advance-fee scams, and a man in southeast Florida is out more than $40,000.
(Abridged)
SOURCE: tcPalm
-------------------------------
Scams via normal postal service or email; is the same in most countries. I have received such scam-mails, always block and bounced the mail back to the sender. Or, I log on to my ISP and report such mails as SPAM. Regarding postal scam-mails; I just threw them in the bin. Let me echo: "If it's too good to be true, it is NOT genuine!".
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Tips on Preventing Elder Financial Abuse
Preventing Elder Financial Abuse
The following tips may be useful to your customers in helping them be more aware of and preventing elder financial abuse:
· Use direct deposit for all checks.
· Do not leave valuables in plain view.
· Sign your own checks and do not sign "blank checks," even for family members.
· If someone is helping you to manage your finances, get a trusted third person to review your bank statement.
· Don't sign anything without reading it carefully.
· Do not lend any money in return for a general promissory note.
· Do not sign over money or property to anyone in return for care, even a family member or friend, without having the agreement reviewed by an attorney.
· Establish a relationship with the personnel at your bank.
· Cultivate friends of all ages so you maintain a strong support network.
· Become familiar with resources in your community designed to help older people and their families.
· Execute a Power of Attorney that will grant financial decision-making power to a trusted friend, relative or attorney. Make sure you know and trust this person. A Power of Attorney can be as limited or as broadly defined as you wish and can be revoked at any time. Give your bank a copy of this.
· Put all financial instructions in writing and be specific.
· Keep accurate and complete financial records of all transactions.
· Gather all important documents together (wills, insurance policies and bank account information) and tell someone you trust where these documents are kept.
· Never give out credit card numbers over the phone unless you placed the call.
· Never give out your Social Security number or bank account number over the phone.
· Don't make donations to charities you don't know.
· Get several estimates before you have any work done to your home.
· Do not pay for any work in advance of its completion and remember that all contractors must be licensed by law.
· Do not pay cash to persons you hire.
· If something seems "too good to be true" (such as being told that you won a prize for a drawing you did not enter, or that someone can get you a 100% return on your investment), it is probably a scam.
SOURCE: calbankers
----------------------------
Please go to source for more information.
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The following tips may be useful to your customers in helping them be more aware of and preventing elder financial abuse:
· Use direct deposit for all checks.
· Do not leave valuables in plain view.
· Sign your own checks and do not sign "blank checks," even for family members.
· If someone is helping you to manage your finances, get a trusted third person to review your bank statement.
· Don't sign anything without reading it carefully.
· Do not lend any money in return for a general promissory note.
· Do not sign over money or property to anyone in return for care, even a family member or friend, without having the agreement reviewed by an attorney.
· Establish a relationship with the personnel at your bank.
· Cultivate friends of all ages so you maintain a strong support network.
· Become familiar with resources in your community designed to help older people and their families.
· Execute a Power of Attorney that will grant financial decision-making power to a trusted friend, relative or attorney. Make sure you know and trust this person. A Power of Attorney can be as limited or as broadly defined as you wish and can be revoked at any time. Give your bank a copy of this.
· Put all financial instructions in writing and be specific.
· Keep accurate and complete financial records of all transactions.
· Gather all important documents together (wills, insurance policies and bank account information) and tell someone you trust where these documents are kept.
· Never give out credit card numbers over the phone unless you placed the call.
· Never give out your Social Security number or bank account number over the phone.
· Don't make donations to charities you don't know.
· Get several estimates before you have any work done to your home.
· Do not pay for any work in advance of its completion and remember that all contractors must be licensed by law.
· Do not pay cash to persons you hire.
· If something seems "too good to be true" (such as being told that you won a prize for a drawing you did not enter, or that someone can get you a 100% return on your investment), it is probably a scam.
SOURCE: calbankers
----------------------------
Please go to source for more information.
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Fraud Case Postponed (USA)
Fraud case postponed
03/12/2008 06:07:57 AM PDT
Trial has been delayed for a suspected cross-dressing caregiver who reportedly bilked an elderly Vacaville woman out of $30,000.
Defendant Penina Tawake, 31, had been scheduled to begin a jury trial Tuesday on charges of financial elder abuse and fraud, but the proceeding was postponed Monday at the request of Tawake's defense attorney.
Abridged.
SOURCE: thereporter
-------------------------
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03/12/2008 06:07:57 AM PDT
Trial has been delayed for a suspected cross-dressing caregiver who reportedly bilked an elderly Vacaville woman out of $30,000.
Defendant Penina Tawake, 31, had been scheduled to begin a jury trial Tuesday on charges of financial elder abuse and fraud, but the proceeding was postponed Monday at the request of Tawake's defense attorney.
Abridged.
SOURCE: thereporter
-------------------------
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