Were pair thieves or caregivers of elderly man?
By John J. Moser
Of The Morning Call
December 9, 2008
A Schuylkill County couple befriended a man at the outset of his Alzheimer's disease, took him into their home and drained $167,000 from his accounts before his bank teller friends alerted authorities, who removed him from the home a month before his death, a state prosecutor told a jury Monday.
Abridged
SOURCE: Allentown Morning Call -PA,USA
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December 10, 2008
Elder Abuse: Arrest Made in Abuse in Nursing Home (NY USA)
News from Attorney General Cuomo
Regarding elderly abuse
09 Dec 2008
Posted by Emma OrnALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo Monday announced the arrests of three Western New York nursing home employees and the conviction of a fourth for abusing elderly and ill patients.
According to court records, the acts of abuse include physically attacking and using racial slurs against an 86-year-old Alzheimer's patient, slapping a 100-year-old patient in the face, and tying an elderly patient with dementia to a chair for two consecutive nights. The arrests and conviction stem from Attorney General Cuomo’s statewide investigations into abuse and neglect in institutional care settings
Copyright WIVB.com
Abridged
SOURCE: WIVB - Buffalo,NY,USA
-----------------------------------------------
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Regarding elderly abuse
09 Dec 2008
Posted by Emma OrnALBANY, N.Y. (WIVB) - Attorney General Andrew M. Cuomo Monday announced the arrests of three Western New York nursing home employees and the conviction of a fourth for abusing elderly and ill patients.
According to court records, the acts of abuse include physically attacking and using racial slurs against an 86-year-old Alzheimer's patient, slapping a 100-year-old patient in the face, and tying an elderly patient with dementia to a chair for two consecutive nights. The arrests and conviction stem from Attorney General Cuomo’s statewide investigations into abuse and neglect in institutional care settings
Copyright WIVB.com
Abridged
SOURCE: WIVB - Buffalo,NY,USA
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December 9, 2008
Elder Abuse Prevention: Tips Re Power of Attorney (USA)
Power of attorney can be valuable and dangerous tool
By Sandra Block
December 9, 2008
The power-of-attorney document is a powerful estate-planning tool that can be used to protect your interests if you become incapacitated.
But in the hands of someone who is dishonest or desperate, it can also create a powerful incentive to steal, advocates for the elderly say.
Some tips:
• Understand what you're giving away.
• Choose your agent carefully.
• Once you've selected an agent, consider establishing some kind of oversight.
• onsider getting legal advice
• Understand that your power-of-attorney document can be changed.
Abridged
SOURCE: USA Today
-------------------------------------
Please go to source for full-text.
-----------------------------------------------
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
By Sandra Block
December 9, 2008
The power-of-attorney document is a powerful estate-planning tool that can be used to protect your interests if you become incapacitated.
But in the hands of someone who is dishonest or desperate, it can also create a powerful incentive to steal, advocates for the elderly say.
Some tips:
• Understand what you're giving away.
• Choose your agent carefully.
• Once you've selected an agent, consider establishing some kind of oversight.
• onsider getting legal advice
• Understand that your power-of-attorney document can be changed.
Abridged
SOURCE: USA Today
-------------------------------------
Please go to source for full-text.
-----------------------------------------------
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Elder Abuse: Awareness and Helpline (MI. USA)
Law enforcers in Frankenmuth talk about elder abuse
by LaNia Coleman
The Saginaw News
December 08, 2008
Saginaw Township Police Officer Brian Kanicki isn't going to sit by while people disrespect elders.
"The number of fraud cases, particularly targeting our elderly, rises each year in Saginaw Township," said Kanicki, the East District representative to the Crime Prevention Association of Michigan, a group of about 200 crime prevention, community policing or liaison officers from around the state.
About 75 percent of elder abuse victims are female, the Deputy Sheriff's Association of Michigan reports. About 80 percent have annual incomes less than $10,000.
Their abusers mostly are relatives -- more than half the time, their children. Most live with the victims. Female abusers are most likely to neglect their elder relatives, while males are more apt to commit physical abuse, association data shows.
The senior hotline is (800) 400-9164.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Saginaw News (MI. USA)
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by LaNia Coleman
The Saginaw News
December 08, 2008
Saginaw Township Police Officer Brian Kanicki isn't going to sit by while people disrespect elders.
"The number of fraud cases, particularly targeting our elderly, rises each year in Saginaw Township," said Kanicki, the East District representative to the Crime Prevention Association of Michigan, a group of about 200 crime prevention, community policing or liaison officers from around the state.
About 75 percent of elder abuse victims are female, the Deputy Sheriff's Association of Michigan reports. About 80 percent have annual incomes less than $10,000.
Their abusers mostly are relatives -- more than half the time, their children. Most live with the victims. Female abusers are most likely to neglect their elder relatives, while males are more apt to commit physical abuse, association data shows.
The senior hotline is (800) 400-9164.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Saginaw News (MI. USA)
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Elder Care: Jobs Crisis Threatens Care Homes (UK)
Jobs crisis threatens care homes
December 08, 2008
VITAL Westcountry care homes could be forced to close after the Government introduced an Australian-style points-based system to slash the number of jobs open to migrant workers, bosses have warned.
Hundreds of senior carers from countries including the Philippines and India are employed in the South West to staff nursing and residential homes, a key sector in a region with one of the oldest populations of any in Western Europe.
But homes for the elderly could be faced with crippling skills shortages after the Home Office introduced what critics have labelled an "unco-ordinated" policy on restricting the entry of migrants from outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland.
Abridged
SOURCE: Western Morning News (Plymouth, UK)
------------------------------------------------
Unfortunately, in times of bleak economic downturn, services to the older folks would be the first to face funding cuts. We will see more of the same from other countries. We just have to continue to highlight this issue.
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
December 08, 2008
VITAL Westcountry care homes could be forced to close after the Government introduced an Australian-style points-based system to slash the number of jobs open to migrant workers, bosses have warned.
Hundreds of senior carers from countries including the Philippines and India are employed in the South West to staff nursing and residential homes, a key sector in a region with one of the oldest populations of any in Western Europe.
But homes for the elderly could be faced with crippling skills shortages after the Home Office introduced what critics have labelled an "unco-ordinated" policy on restricting the entry of migrants from outside the European Economic Area and Switzerland.
Abridged
SOURCE: Western Morning News (Plymouth, UK)
------------------------------------------------
Unfortunately, in times of bleak economic downturn, services to the older folks would be the first to face funding cuts. We will see more of the same from other countries. We just have to continue to highlight this issue.
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Elder Care and Abandonment of the Elderly (Pakistan)
A thought for the elderly
December 08, 2008
The plan in Islamabad to usher in a Senior Citizens Welfare Bill is good news. The federal minister for social welfare has stated that the government hopes to establish an institutionalized support system for older people. It has recently been discussing their needs with several international organizations conducting workshops in the country. A senior citizens council is to be set up to help identify needs and priorities. We must hope the ministry’s efforts result in measures that can ease life for an especially vulnerable group of citizens in increasingly hostile times.
Senior citizens, according to official data, form nearly six per cent of the population, but are largely unprotected. Health benefits and similar welfare schemes available in other countries do not exist. While, traditionally speaking, the aged have a place of honour in family life in South Asia, realistically speaking this is no longer the case.
While no serious research has been carried out, anecdotal evidence suggest more and more old people are being abandoned – by families unable to care for them. Accounts of even the more well-to-do leaving elderly parents at the few homes that exist or at medical facilities come in from every city. These issues of a changing society too need to be considered as new legislation is considered to protect senior citizens – a group that till now has been neglected by decision makers. One must hope the proposed new law will change this situation and identify how the state can act to support the aged.
SOURCE: The News (International) Pakistan
-----------------------------------------------
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
December 08, 2008
The plan in Islamabad to usher in a Senior Citizens Welfare Bill is good news. The federal minister for social welfare has stated that the government hopes to establish an institutionalized support system for older people. It has recently been discussing their needs with several international organizations conducting workshops in the country. A senior citizens council is to be set up to help identify needs and priorities. We must hope the ministry’s efforts result in measures that can ease life for an especially vulnerable group of citizens in increasingly hostile times.
Senior citizens, according to official data, form nearly six per cent of the population, but are largely unprotected. Health benefits and similar welfare schemes available in other countries do not exist. While, traditionally speaking, the aged have a place of honour in family life in South Asia, realistically speaking this is no longer the case.
While no serious research has been carried out, anecdotal evidence suggest more and more old people are being abandoned – by families unable to care for them. Accounts of even the more well-to-do leaving elderly parents at the few homes that exist or at medical facilities come in from every city. These issues of a changing society too need to be considered as new legislation is considered to protect senior citizens – a group that till now has been neglected by decision makers. One must hope the proposed new law will change this situation and identify how the state can act to support the aged.
SOURCE: The News (International) Pakistan
-----------------------------------------------
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
December 8, 2008
Elder Care and Abandoned Elderly (Phillipines)
Plans for poor's retirement home set
12/06/2008
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines
Like abandoned street children, the number of abandoned elderly left out in the streets is increasing."We see a changing landscape. The younger ones are no longer interested in taking care of the elderly," City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Officer Betty Fangasan said.
She observed that many of the cases they have handled are those of persons who were lost and whose relatives or their own children do not bother in finding them.Over the past several years, the CSWD's Silungan Center served as temporary shelter for abandoned elderly.
In response, the City Government has allotted P10 million for the construction of a home-for-the-aged at government property in Irisan barangay.
Abridged
SOURCE: GMA News TV
------------------------------------------------
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
12/06/2008
BAGUIO CITY, Philippines
Like abandoned street children, the number of abandoned elderly left out in the streets is increasing."We see a changing landscape. The younger ones are no longer interested in taking care of the elderly," City Social Welfare and Development (CSWD) Officer Betty Fangasan said.
She observed that many of the cases they have handled are those of persons who were lost and whose relatives or their own children do not bother in finding them.Over the past several years, the CSWD's Silungan Center served as temporary shelter for abandoned elderly.
In response, the City Government has allotted P10 million for the construction of a home-for-the-aged at government property in Irisan barangay.
Abridged
SOURCE: GMA News TV
------------------------------------------------
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Researcher on Elder Abuse Studies County Program (Virginia, USA)
Researcher on Abuse Studies County Program
Compiled by KAFIA A. HOSH
A Loudoun County program will be part of a study examining how cases of abuse and neglect of adults are handled in the United States.
Japanese researcher Toshio Tatara recently wrapped up a visit to Loudoun, where he studied the county's Adult Protective Services program, a division of the Department of Family Services.
Tatara is a professor of social welfare at the Shukutoku University in Chiba, Japan. After Japan enacted legislation on elder abuse, Tatara and his team were assigned to study how the best U.S. agencies handle adult-abuse cases.
The Virginia Department of Social Services recommended Loudoun for the project, county officials said.
"We were honored to be chosen for this research, since Dr. Tatara is an acknowledged authority in our field," Dinah Ditton, supervisor of Adult Protective Services, said in a statement.
Tatara will share the findings of his project with the Department of Family Services.
SOURCE: Loudoun Extra
-----------------------------------------------
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Compiled by KAFIA A. HOSH
A Loudoun County program will be part of a study examining how cases of abuse and neglect of adults are handled in the United States.
Japanese researcher Toshio Tatara recently wrapped up a visit to Loudoun, where he studied the county's Adult Protective Services program, a division of the Department of Family Services.
Tatara is a professor of social welfare at the Shukutoku University in Chiba, Japan. After Japan enacted legislation on elder abuse, Tatara and his team were assigned to study how the best U.S. agencies handle adult-abuse cases.
The Virginia Department of Social Services recommended Loudoun for the project, county officials said.
"We were honored to be chosen for this research, since Dr. Tatara is an acknowledged authority in our field," Dinah Ditton, supervisor of Adult Protective Services, said in a statement.
Tatara will share the findings of his project with the Department of Family Services.
SOURCE: Loudoun Extra
-----------------------------------------------
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Elder Abuse and Neglect: Abandoningly Elderly Parents
Abandoning Elderly Parents: An analysis
By Andrew Chadwick
December 08, 2008
It is extremely sad when society has to enact laws to punish people who abandoned their elderly parents. Even countries like China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and India, where filial piety or respect for older people was once taken for granted, are jolted by increasing number of elder abuse cases and abandonment of elderly parents at nursing homes or, on the street.
What is filial piety?
In somewhat general terms, filial piety means to take care of one's parents; not be rebellious ; show love, respect and support; display courtesy; ensure male heirs, uphold fraternity among brothers; wisely advise one's parents; conceal their mistakes (though some schools advocate pointing out and correcting their mistakes); display sorrow for their sickness and death; and carry out sacrifices after their death.
Reasons for this “phenomenon” in Chinese families:
Younger generation of Chinese are less adherent to traditional principles of filial piety. (A Review on Elder Abuse in Chinese families- sagepub )
Adult children are caught in caring dilemma. The stress of caring for their own family and the caring of elderly parents.Parents are often in a different state, or country.
Many do not feel that they are responsible for the care of their elderly parents. Poor family relationships are often quoted as a reason.
A breakdown in family relationships, should not be used as an excuse for elder abuse. There can never be a justifiable excuse for elder abuse.
Abandoning Elderly Parents
This issue is extremely controversial; when adult children quote breakdown of relationships as a reason for their abandoning their parent(s).
The effect of abandonment of elderly parents may not be that obvious when there are social services that will take care of the ‘abandoned parents’. However, in countries where there are little social services to assist these elderly, then it becomes a crucial issue for all – government and the general public.
How do we treat people who abandoned their parent(s) at a bus-stop or other public places?
In places, like China, India, Singapore and other countries that has a strong tradition of respect and care for the elderly, the increasing number of elderly parents abandoned on the street or nursing home, is a real and frightening development.
China is looking into revitalizing the Confucian teachings of ‘filial piety’ in their education system. Perhaps this will work. We must not forget that in the ‘70s the ‘one child policy’ has resulted in that ‘one child’ being spoilt and often, self-centered.In recent years, many have migrated to other countries. This is not only in China. So how can we expect these adult children to care for their elderly parents?
Who should be responsible for the care of the elderly?
In countries where there are only minimal social services, the care of the elderly are expected of the children. For example, in Singapore there is (since 1995) a Parents Maintenance Act (Please check sidebar for link to more info), that the elderly (over 65) can apply, through the court/tribunal, for maintenance from their children if they are not able to maintain themselves.
The alternative, of course, is for a government to tax its citizens more, so as to be to provide those essential services for looking after the elderly.
What about first world countries like the USA and UK?
Should we enact to punish the adult children who abused or neglect their parents?
Should children who abused their elderly parents be "let off" when they cite breakdown in family relationship as an excuse? This issue is topic for another post.
How should these countries deal with the neglect and abandonment of elderly?
If the government has to look after these ‘abandoned’ elderly, there will be less money left for other social services or infrastructure maintenance and developments.Increasing the tax levy is often not a good political move for many governments.
Ensuring that ‘Respect and Care’ is incorporated in education system is perhaps a better move.
Drugs and Technology can be blamed for watering down the traditional family values.
How many family have a proper dinner at the end of the day? By that I mean really sit around the table. Many families just have their own plate of food and sit in front of the TV! No proper discussions or eye-contact with each other.
Entertainment is a greater priority than family interactions.Drug addicts live in a different world, especially when they are high on substance. The rest of their waking hours are spent on finding money for the next hit. Obviously, elderly parents are only seen as the ‘cash cows’. Yes, they are as a source of money for these drug addictions. Therefore, what hope have we got in relying on these people to look after their aging parents?We can see from this simple analysis, that it is a massive problem. Tackling the culture of the ‘me-first’ people and prevention of the abandonment of the elderly is one BIG, BIG problem - One that cannot be solved easily.
A multi-disciplinarian and multi-agencies approach is required; Easier said than done, of course. But, if we do not start looking for solutions now, we will reach the crisis point very soon.
FINDING SOLUTIONS
This is a challenge for all governments, and professionals with interest in this area.
The findings from studies done many years ago, are still relevant today. However, whilst funding of more researches is of course, welcomed, we must make sure that the follow-on actions flow through. We, ordinary citizens, must ensure that we keep highlighting the issue of elder rights, elder protection etc.
Politicians are very good at a stock answer - "We are awaiting the completion of a report or inquiry into problem X."
How many reports of researches/studies/inquiries are left to gather dust?
Researches are pointless without actions on the recommendations.
-----------------------------------------------
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
By Andrew Chadwick
December 08, 2008
It is extremely sad when society has to enact laws to punish people who abandoned their elderly parents. Even countries like China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and India, where filial piety or respect for older people was once taken for granted, are jolted by increasing number of elder abuse cases and abandonment of elderly parents at nursing homes or, on the street.
What is filial piety?
In somewhat general terms, filial piety means to take care of one's parents; not be rebellious ; show love, respect and support; display courtesy; ensure male heirs, uphold fraternity among brothers; wisely advise one's parents; conceal their mistakes (though some schools advocate pointing out and correcting their mistakes); display sorrow for their sickness and death; and carry out sacrifices after their death.
Reasons for this “phenomenon” in Chinese families:
Younger generation of Chinese are less adherent to traditional principles of filial piety. (A Review on Elder Abuse in Chinese families- sagepub )
Adult children are caught in caring dilemma. The stress of caring for their own family and the caring of elderly parents.Parents are often in a different state, or country.
Many do not feel that they are responsible for the care of their elderly parents. Poor family relationships are often quoted as a reason.
A breakdown in family relationships, should not be used as an excuse for elder abuse. There can never be a justifiable excuse for elder abuse.
Abandoning Elderly Parents
This issue is extremely controversial; when adult children quote breakdown of relationships as a reason for their abandoning their parent(s).
The effect of abandonment of elderly parents may not be that obvious when there are social services that will take care of the ‘abandoned parents’. However, in countries where there are little social services to assist these elderly, then it becomes a crucial issue for all – government and the general public.
How do we treat people who abandoned their parent(s) at a bus-stop or other public places?
In places, like China, India, Singapore and other countries that has a strong tradition of respect and care for the elderly, the increasing number of elderly parents abandoned on the street or nursing home, is a real and frightening development.
China is looking into revitalizing the Confucian teachings of ‘filial piety’ in their education system. Perhaps this will work. We must not forget that in the ‘70s the ‘one child policy’ has resulted in that ‘one child’ being spoilt and often, self-centered.In recent years, many have migrated to other countries. This is not only in China. So how can we expect these adult children to care for their elderly parents?
Who should be responsible for the care of the elderly?
In countries where there are only minimal social services, the care of the elderly are expected of the children. For example, in Singapore there is (since 1995) a Parents Maintenance Act (Please check sidebar for link to more info), that the elderly (over 65) can apply, through the court/tribunal, for maintenance from their children if they are not able to maintain themselves.
The alternative, of course, is for a government to tax its citizens more, so as to be to provide those essential services for looking after the elderly.
What about first world countries like the USA and UK?
Should we enact to punish the adult children who abused or neglect their parents?
Should children who abused their elderly parents be "let off" when they cite breakdown in family relationship as an excuse? This issue is topic for another post.
How should these countries deal with the neglect and abandonment of elderly?
If the government has to look after these ‘abandoned’ elderly, there will be less money left for other social services or infrastructure maintenance and developments.Increasing the tax levy is often not a good political move for many governments.
Ensuring that ‘Respect and Care’ is incorporated in education system is perhaps a better move.
Drugs and Technology can be blamed for watering down the traditional family values.
How many family have a proper dinner at the end of the day? By that I mean really sit around the table. Many families just have their own plate of food and sit in front of the TV! No proper discussions or eye-contact with each other.
Entertainment is a greater priority than family interactions.Drug addicts live in a different world, especially when they are high on substance. The rest of their waking hours are spent on finding money for the next hit. Obviously, elderly parents are only seen as the ‘cash cows’. Yes, they are as a source of money for these drug addictions. Therefore, what hope have we got in relying on these people to look after their aging parents?We can see from this simple analysis, that it is a massive problem. Tackling the culture of the ‘me-first’ people and prevention of the abandonment of the elderly is one BIG, BIG problem - One that cannot be solved easily.
A multi-disciplinarian and multi-agencies approach is required; Easier said than done, of course. But, if we do not start looking for solutions now, we will reach the crisis point very soon.
FINDING SOLUTIONS
This is a challenge for all governments, and professionals with interest in this area.
The findings from studies done many years ago, are still relevant today. However, whilst funding of more researches is of course, welcomed, we must make sure that the follow-on actions flow through. We, ordinary citizens, must ensure that we keep highlighting the issue of elder rights, elder protection etc.
Politicians are very good at a stock answer - "We are awaiting the completion of a report or inquiry into problem X."
How many reports of researches/studies/inquiries are left to gather dust?
Researches are pointless without actions on the recommendations.
-----------------------------------------------
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
December 7, 2008
Elder Abuse: Nursing Assistant Charged (FL. USA)
Hollywood: Elder abuse charges filed
December 6, 2008
A certified nursing assistant was arrested Friday morning after she was recorded on tape abusing an 88-year-old woman at a Hollywood assisted living facility, authorities said.Karlene Brown, 39, faces an elder abuse charge, accused of manhandling a woman with dementia at Bay Pointe Terrace, 1200 Arthur St.
Abridged
SOURCE: Sun-Sentinel.com
--------------------------------------------------
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
December 6, 2008
A certified nursing assistant was arrested Friday morning after she was recorded on tape abusing an 88-year-old woman at a Hollywood assisted living facility, authorities said.Karlene Brown, 39, faces an elder abuse charge, accused of manhandling a woman with dementia at Bay Pointe Terrace, 1200 Arthur St.
Abridged
SOURCE: Sun-Sentinel.com
--------------------------------------------------
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
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