Information For Elders (AUSTRALIA)

By Laura Wakely

19th October 2010

BETWEEN one and five per cent of Victorians aged over 65 years will experience some form of elder abuse.
But senior residents will have the opportunity to learn how to protect their rights at a free session in Wallan tomorrow afternoon.
Seniors Rights Victoria will hold the “Know and Protect Your Rights” information session to give senior residents a better understanding of the types of elder abuse as well as information on the free and confidential helpline, advocacy and legal services available to seniors.

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, elder abuse is any act that occurs within a relationship where there is an implication of trust, which results in harm to an older person.
Ovens and King Community Health Elder Abuse Prevention Strategy project officer Debbie Hogg said the session was important for seniors and their families to attend.
“Elder abuse is still very taboo as a subject and as such it is very under-reported,” Ms Hogg said.
“The sessions we are running are to increase the awareness (of elder abuse).”
The “Know and Protect Your Rights” information session will run from 2pm to 3pm on the 20 October at the Wallan Multi-Purpose Centre.
For details contact Debbie Hogg, at Ovens and King Community Health Service on 5723 2041.

SOURCE:    The Star News Group

____________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Witness: Defendant Came Back to Victim's House (USA)

Witness: Defendant came back to victim's house

October 18, 2010

By Tomoya Shimura

 

VICTORVILLE

A brother of a Hesperia man accused of beating their 73-year-old mother to death testified for the prosecution Monday.

William Thomas Hussey, 52, charged with murder, elder abuse and robbery of Mary Hussey, drove to Nevada the day after the prosecution claims the alleged beating took place in 2009. Hussey then came back to his dead mother’s house in Hesperia the following day, according to Clayton Hussey, William Hussey’s brother.

Clayton said he saw William Hussey drive past him watering his plants in the front yard and turn around to stop in front of the house. Clayton approached the defendant’s vehicle and yelled to him that sheriff’s deputies were looking for him, Clayton testified. Upset about the attack on his mother, Clayton asked his brother what he had done to her.

Abridged
SOURCE:    The V V DailyPress


_________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Fife Not Alone In Facing Care Homes Dilemma (UK)

Fife Council is far from alone in having to rethink how older people are cared for, according to the representative body for private and voluntary care homes

Councillors meet today to discuss plans that could eventually see all 10 of the council's residential care homes closed and alternatives sought in the private and not-for-profit sector.

With that in mind, Ranald Mair, the chief executive of theprivate sector group Scottish Care, said all councils are taking a long, hard look at what services they provide, but the current financial situation means the status quo doesn't appear to be an option for Fife.

He said, "We know local authorities will face huge pressures and one of the main areas councils will have to look at is whether or not they maintain in-house provision or buy care from the private or not-for-profit sector where there is usually a significantly lower cost.

"It's not just a question Fife facing public sector finance cutbacks and where to make savings: if the council is to continue being a direct provider, they will have to spend a lot of money redeveloping as their buildings are no longer fit for purpose.

"It's a double whammy and though Fife is unique in many ways, nationally this may be one way councils can try to get as much value as they can.

"The important thing is to safeguard the public and Courier readers will want to be satisfied they or their relatives are not getting lower quality of care in the private or not-for-profit sector.

Abridged
SOURCE:   The Courier.co.uk
______________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

First Canadian Elder Abuse Training and Information Forum

RCMP members participate in first Canadian Elder Abuse Training and Information Forum

10/19/2010

 by mySteinbach.ca

On October 25 and 26, law enforcement, older adults, service providers and professionals from across Canada will come together, in Winnipeg, for the first Canadian Elder Abuse Training and Information Forum.

It is recognized that only one in five incidents of elder abuse comes to the attention of those that can help. This is an unprecedented opportunity for training on new and promising approaches in recognizing, responding and preventing abuse of older adults. Sessions will focus on training delegates on screening, assessment and prevention tools, including intergenerational opportunities to engage youth in elder abuse prevention.

Law enforcement alone cannot solve the problem.  This event will provide an opportunity for multidisciplinary dialogue, recognizing that an interprofessional approach to elder abuse prevention is key.  The Royal Canadian Mounted Police are committed to working with government and community partners across Canada to raise awareness of abuse of older adults and increase capacity in elder abuse response, investigation and prevention, leading to safer families and communities for all ages.

The event will be held at the Victoria Inn, 1808 Wellington Avenue. For more information on the Canadian Elder Abuse Training and Information Forum, please contact Age & Opportunity at 204-956-6440 or ageopportunity.mb.ca.

SOURCE:    MySteinbach.ca
________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Man Pleads Guilty to Rape of 94-Year-Old Woman at Nursing Home (USA)

By Jesse Dungan

Daily News Staff Writer

10/19/2010

Roberto Recendes faces a 17-year prison sentence after pleading guilty last week to raping and beating a 94-year-old woman at the Palo Alto Commons nursing home in 2002.

Recendes, 43, pleaded guilty to one count of sexual penetration by force, one count of elder abuse and to an enhancement of inflicting great bodily injury, said Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office spokeswoman Amy Cornell.

Prosecutors plan to drop a second enhancement -- committing the crimes during the commission of burglary -- when Recendes is sentenced in December.

He could have faced up to 25 years to life in jail if he had been convicted of all the charges and enhancements.

Recendes is expected to be sentenced to 17 years in prison on Dec. 9.

Abridged
SOURCE:    Mercury News
_____________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Vulnerable to Scams

Chicago Tribune,

October 14, 2010

The man who called himself Clark Mahoney claimed to be an FBI agent. The first time he called the woman, he explained that she and her husband, who are in their 80s, had been scammed. To safeguard their savings and avoid identity theft, it was "recommended" that they empty their bank accounts.

He always used that word, "recommended" — and assured the woman that she had a choice in the matter. He had intercepted a sweepstakes check for $125,000 that was in her name and was formerly in the hands of criminals, he said.

From March to August, the agent called the woman from the northwest suburbs again and again, speaking with a smooth authoritative voice and gracious manners. He couldn't promise her anything, he said, but there was a chance that she could receive the money, as long as the criminals didn't steal her identity first.

"He told my mom that because of the nature of their case under investigation, what he shared with her should remain confidential," said M. Fleischmann, the couple's daughter, who first learned about Mahoney in late September.

Before ending each conversation, Mahoney would provide the next steps needed to protect the couple's retirement earnings. She trusted him and followed his instructions, wiring him money, Fleischmann said.

Her mother, who asked not to be identified, is deeply ashamed that she fell for the impostor's charm. She lost $250,000, authorities say. The revelation that Mahoney is not an FBI agent was just the beginning of an elaborate scheme that is still unraveling. The FBI, which receives "hundreds of cases like this each week," referred it to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police after determining that the fraud originated there, FBI spokesman Ross Rice said.

"It is horrendous," Fleischmann said. "I keep telling (my mother) that her mantra should be, 'I did nothing wrong. I have been victimized.'"

While this case deals with an extraordinarily large amount of money, authorities have seen a deluge of such crimes as baby boomers age into retirement. Thousands of older people fall for financial scams every day.

SOURCE:  Chicago Tribune

_____________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Maintenance and Welfare of Parents Act (INDIA)

Maintenance & Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act 2007 : WHEN
WILL MAHARASHTRA GOVERNMENT IMPLEMENT ??????????????

1 January 2010

Traditional norms and values of the Indian society laid stress on providing care for the elderly. However, due to withering of the joint family system, a large number of elderly are not being looked after by their family. Consequently, many older persons, particularly widowed women are now forced to spend their twilight years all alone and are exposed to emotional neglect and to lack of physical and financial support. This clearly reveals that ageing has become a major social challenge and there is a need to give more attention to the care and protection for the older persons. Though the parents can claim maintenance under the Section 125 of the Cr Pc and Hindu Adoption and Maintenance Act (HAMA) BUT the procedure is both time-consuming as well as expensive. Hence, there is need to have simple, inexpensive
and speedy provisions to claim maintenance for parents. The Indian Parliament felt that the elderly and senior citizens of the country required care and attention and also protection of their life and liberty. It further felt that the young generation was failing in its duty to take adequate care of its elderly citizens, including parents, relatives or other members of the society, who have turned old and infirm and whose population in 2009 is estimated 90 millions.

The major benefits in the act includes : Monthly maintenance upto Rs. 10,000/- , punishment of Rs.5000/- or jail for three months or both for not paying the monthly allowance by children's or relative, 90
days time bound disposal,no need of advocate, a 3rd party intervention possible , to first resolve the differences and disputes between parents and children amicably, medical facility , protection of life and property , old age homes in every districts etc...

Lets give Justice to our Elders, lets give Love, Care & Respect to our
parents .Say NO TO ELDER ABUSE.

SOURCE:    FOREXGUIDE BLOG

_______________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Elderly Carers Must Get Support

By George Mac Donald
Gorey, Co Wexford

October 18 2010

FRENCH civil disturbance aimed at retaining the right to retire at 60 is simply daft. In Ireland we have, however grudgingly, accepted that 65, rising to 67, is unavoidable.

Less acceptable are the facts relating to thousands of elderly round-the-clock carers. Many of these must remain full-time workers well into their 70s, and even 80s.

Fortunately, this awful scenario is usually mitigated by compassionate HSE policies regarding home help, nursing care and even financial assistance. But to avoid damaging the existing fragile status quo, there is an urgent need for upcoming budgetary considerations to acknowledge and respect the fraught situation of many elderly Irish carers.

SOURCE:    IRISH INDEPENDENT

(This is an issue that must be addressed by ALL governments. Family carers deserve support. They often have to look after the relative/spouse 24 / 7.  These carers also save the community lots of money. 


.................... Andrew

________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Elder Abuse and Adult Protection (UK)

Elder Abuse and Adult Protection

By CEO at Action on Elder Abuse

18 October 2010

This week will probably be the most immediately momentous for quite some time, as the implications of the Comprehensive Spending Review begin to sink in and then take effect. The Government is giving out very clear messages that the impact will be spread over at least four years and let’s hope that this proves to be the case.

In particular Local Government needs to hold its collective nerve and not make rash decisions about care services or about adult safeguarding services. There are just too many people in very vulnerable situations that can be badly hurt by any short term or knee-jerk reactions to what is announced on Wednesday, so Council responses need to be measured and perhaps different from previous years. Certainly, we would be a little bit more reassured if ADASS had been prepared to give a public commitment to maintaining adult protection/safeguarding, but they did not respond to our calls in this regard and it would seem that their new rallying call these days is around ‘affordability’.

Now, dare we wonder who could possibly consider stopping elder abuse to be unaffordable? Is there a community in the UK who would really agree that abuse of old people, or other adults, should continue because councillors have decided that there is something else more important to spend the money upon? And this is essentially what it will come down to. Whether people choose to argue that, ultimately, it is all the fault of George Osborne and the Coalition Government for making cuts, the reality is that the pain, the suffering, and the final accountability will rest at local level. Some may argue that this is unfair, but it is nevertheless the reality of life!

Which perhaps brings me to what has been happening since the beginning of October. A callous daughter stole £60,000 from her frail mother’s bank account and blew the lot on luxury holidays around the world as the Alzheimer’s suffer lay dying in a care home. A 30-year-old care worker was accused of stealing £10,000 from one of the residents at Hagan Hall sheltered complex in Jarrow and £2,000 from another. She got 10 months' imprisonment, suspended for two years, with supervision and 250 hours' unpaid work. Another carer elsewhere was convicted of stealing £700. A Care home project manager from Birmingham “plundered” more than £6,000 from a vulnerable woman in her care but escaped going to jail, while another was jailed for stealing £7500 from three elderly residents. However, the retired bank manager who swindled more than £47,000 from a vulnerable care home resident got two years probation and was ordered to repay the money within nine months. And that’s just this month. So far!

But perhaps the worst report was on 6 October when the Northampton Serious Case Review report confirmed that five elderly people who died within two weeks of each other at a care home in the county suffered "severe neglect". They were aged from 83 to 100, and died between 22 July and 6 August 2009. The case review found standards at the home had declined since previous inspections and that, by July 2009, the home "simply could not manage". The home was rated "adequate" in November 2008, and was due to be inspected again within a year, but CSCI was alerted in July by Northampton General Hospital.

Abridged
SOURCE:     Elder Abuse Adult Protection


_____________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Inspections At Home Increased (UK)

"Some residents said they had to wait for up to two hours after calling for assistance"

14 October 2010

By Clive Whittingham

News reporter

Inspections at a Kettering nursing home have been stepped up after concerns were raised about staffing.

Residents and relatives were called to a meeting at Dove Court Nursing Home in Albert Street on Tuesday to discuss the extra monitoring by the NHS Care Home Quality Monitoring Nursing Team.

The move comes after concerns were picked up by the team on a previous routine visit.

Frank Moss, whose wife is a resident at the home, said: "We heard at the meeting that the home is short staffed.
"Some residents said they had to wait for up to two hours after calling for assistance.
"My wife has been in the home for two years and I think it's fantastic. It's extremely clean and well run so the letter I received about the meeting came as a surprise."
Gabriella O'Keeffe, Care Homes Quality Monitoring Manager, said: "A routine monitoring visit to Dove Court in August brought to light some issues that it was felt required further attention.
"The team has been visiting the home on a weekly basis since then to understand the challenges and develop and implement an improvement plan.
"In order to avoid unnecessary anxiety for families and carers of residents we invited them to a meeting to explain what we are doing and to ask their views."
Four Seasons Healthcare, the company which runs the home, played down the seriousness of the change.
A spokesman said: "There have been some concerns raised around quality of documentation. Four Seasons has prioritised responding to these concerns.
"The points raised at the meeting have all been addressed and Four Seasons will continue to work to ensure the wellbeing, comfort and quality of care of our residents." 


SOURCE:   Northantset.co.uk



_______________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources