Number of Children Abusing Their Elderly Parents On The rise (Ireland)

26 AUGUST 2013

Sons and daughters are increasingly being accused of abusing an elderly parent, according to a new report.
Among the cases of elder abuse referred to the HSE over the course of 2011, as many as 46pc were the older person's own child.
That figure is up from 43pc the previous year and underlines that, despite the nursing home scandals of the last decade, the most frightening place for an older person can be their own home.
There were 2,750 alleged cases brought to the attention of the health authority over the course of the year with psychological and financial abuse the most dominant.
Eight in 10 of the abusers operated independently – the highest recorded level since recording started in 2007.

Men acting alone account for 48pc of cases, while women made up more than one-third. In 47pc of cases, the alleged abuser and victim were living together.
Other abusers were the partner, husband or wife, a relative, neighbour and carer.
A son or daughter can be particularly abusive in the area of neglect. Spouses were most likely to engage in physical abuse. Those who take financial advantage are often not living with their victim.
Irish Independent

SOURCE:       The Independent
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Greedy Relatives Ripping Off Retirees

Greedy relatives ripping off retirees as Human Rights Commission issues guide on how to protect against fraud
BEN PIKE CAREERONE NATIONAL DEPUTY EDITOR
From: News Limited Network
 July 30, 2013

THOUSANDS of retirees are being swindled out of their savings and kicked out of their homes by money-hungry relatives keen to cash in on their ageing parents' fear and confusion.
Deteriorating housing affordability and a growing sense of entitlement among spoiled children are cited as reasons for the growing trend called elderly financial abuse.
The trend has prompted the Human Rights Commission to release an official guide on how retirees can protect themselves from their own blood.
The average Australian couple over 65 is worth of $1.1 million, Australian Bureau of Statistics figures show, and Age Discrimination Commissioner Susan Ryan said as families have become richer they have become greedier.
"There are tragic stories of families ripping off their older family members," she said.
"The ageing population is like a bait to people who want to do this sort of thing.
"As we have more and more people reaching the age where they can access their super - more and more people are retiring in their 60s - the sharks are out there know this. I find that very repugnant.
"From the limited data we have available I estimate that thousands of elderly people would have been exposed to financial abuse from their relatives at some point."
Ms Ryan added that previous generations of Australian parents never suffered the same level of financial abuse because "our parents didn't have any assets".
"It's the general climate where people feel that they need more material assets than a previous generations and the cost of housing is becoming more unaffordable," she said.
"When I first learned about this financial abuse it was my motive to try to get some really accessible information into the hands of people and not wait until something bad happens."
House prices have risen nearly 150 per cent over the past decade while earnings have increased by just over 50 per cent, according to THE AMP-NATSEM Income and Wealth Report.
The Aged-Care Rights Service receives thousands of calls for help from distressed elderly people every year and CEO Russell Westacott said the problem is hidden because victims don't want to alert the authorities.
"Seventy-five per cent of the instances of financial abuse we get are related to family members," he said.
"Almost always there is someone in the family bullying mum or dad. Then they may even be bullying their other brothers or sisters to a point where they don't know what is going on."
Since the NSW Elder Abuse Helpline and Resource Unit was established in February this year nearly 300 calls have been received and over 200 have related to abuse calls.
"Sons, daughters and spouses were identified as primarily responsible for abuse," an organisation spokeswoman said.

TOP 5 TIPS TO PROTECTING YOUR ASSETS

1. Get independent legal advice. Never sign any legal documents under pressure without getting
advice about the consequences of signing. You always have a right to get your own independent legal advice.
2. Know what is at stake. If you use your home as security for a loan, you risk losing your home and potentially being made bankrupt.
3. Think about whether your family or friends can repay money. This is important if you are thinking about acting as a guarantor, loaning money, or taking out a loan in your name for someone else to repay.
4. Get it in writing. If you give money to a friend or family member make it clear in writing whether you intend to give the money as a gift or whether you expect the money to be repaid.
5. Don't be afraid to say no. You always have the right to protect your own financial security by saying no.
Source: Your Rights at Retirement guide, The Human Rights Commission.
Anyone wanting a copy of the guide can contact the Office for Ageing on 1800 729 368.

SOURCE:       News.com.au
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Elderly Woman Suffers Fracture From Son

by Jessica Fairley
08.27.2013
ALBANY, GA.

A Cordele man is facing elder abuse and neglect charges after a 72-year-old wound up with a neck fracture.
Police believe James Troup-Mothersole neglected his non-speaking mother-in-law while she was in his care.
Officers found bruising and unexplained injuries on the victim.
The suspect denied the abuse but official say the injuries don't align with a fall.
The woman was taken to a hospital in Macon before ending up at the Tift Regional Medical Center.
At this time she's still in the hospital recovering from her injuries

SOURCE:      My SouthWest GA
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Speaking Out Against Elder Abuse

August 28, 2013

Incidents of elder abuse, financial exploitation and neglect increase as our senior population grows. According to the American Psychological Association (2013) and estimated 4 million seniors each year are “victims of physical, psychological or other forms of abuse.” For every case reported, an average of 23 cases go unnoticed.
Most abuse happens to seniors within their own homes, often by people that they know. Helplessness, loneliness, fear and shame often prevent seniors from disclosing abusive events. While there is no definitive pattern to describe elder abuse, senior citizens are often easy targets for financial scams.
Abuse happens for many reasons. Sometimes it is a matter of illness or stress. Other times it can result from family problems, intergenerational and marital problems, years of stored anger, an overwhelmed sense of emotion or social isolation.
It is important to know the signs of elder abuse. “As a caregiver, I am one of the biggest preventers of elder abuse by evaluating how they are doing physically, emotionally and mentally. … As a caregiver, not only am I responsible for assistance with simple activities of daily life, but I also have the opportunity to be a voice against violence and all forms of elder abuse,” Home Instead caregiver Scarlette States said.

According to the American Psychological Association, the following are warning signs of potential abuse:

• Physical: Unexplained bruises, injuries, welts, dismissive statements and unwillingness to go to the same emergency department for repeated injuries.
•Verbal/emotional/psychological: Change in communication, such as becoming fearful, suspicious, unresponsive and demonstrating decline in social contacts.
• Sexual: unexplained vaginal or anal bleeding; torn underwear; bruises on private parts; infections or sexually transmitted diseases.
•Financial: Large amounts of money withdrawn from the bank accounts; life events do not match financial statements; unusual ATM activity; signatures that do not match
• Caregiver neglect: Lack of basic needs, sunken eyes, weight loss, unsafe environments for person with dementia, untreated bed sores and lack of medical aids such as glasses, hearing aids or walker.

Finding help: If you are experiencing an emergency, call 9-1-1. If you suspect abuse or have experienced abuse, contact your local police, local area agency on aging, crisis shelter or AWARE.
Michele Dubel is the relationship manager for Home Instead Senior Care, which provides companionship, home helper, and personal care services to seniors. For information, call (724) 535-6101.

SOURCE:      The Ellwood City Ledger
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Veterans Accuse Senior-Living Retirement Chain of Elder Abuse

By JUNE WILLIAMS
August 29, 2013

A chain of retirement homes preyed on elderly veterans and their spouses by claiming a government pension plan would cover its expensive housing, then charging them thousands of dollars in deferred rent when the benefits fell through, the veterans claim in court.
     Lead defendant Holiday Retirement operates more than 300 senior living homes in the United States and targets veterans and their survivors as prospective tenants, lead plaintiff Richard Dickinson says in the lawsuit.
     Dickinson and three co-plaintiffs accuse Holiday Retirement of elder abuse, unlawful trade, breach of contract and negligent misrepresentation, in Multnomah County Court.
     They claim Holiday's high-pressure tactics are designed to "induce veterans and their surviving spouses to move into its facilities whether or not they can afford the monthly rent."
     "Plaintiffs are low-income elderly war veterans or low-income elderly surviving spouses who currently reside in senior retirement communities owned and operated by a network of companies using the name Holiday Retirement (collectively 'Holiday'). Plaintiffs allege that defendants deceived them as part of a scheme to increase occupancy rates and rental income at retirement communities operated by Holiday," the complaint states. "Holiday targeted war veterans and their survivors as potential residents and induced them to move into high-cost housing by misrepresenting a pension program administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs (the 'VA') called Aid and Attendance and Homebound Status ('Aid and Attendance'). ...
     "Each plaintiff is a victim of Holiday's deceptive practices. Each of them moved into a
     Holiday retirement residence based on a promise by Holiday that they would receive Aid and Attendance benefits from the VA within a short period of time and in an amount that would substantially offset the rents charged by Holiday. Despite portraying that it was neutral in the application process, Holiday falsely represented that there was an increased likelihood of approval for Aid and Attendance benefits merely by moving into a Holiday residence. In addition, Holiday staff or agents promised to assist in processing plaintiffs' applications, assured plaintiffs their applications would be approved in a timely manner, and offered incentives or discounts to supposedly bridge the financial gap between their income and the promised Aid and Attendance benefits. Some plaintiffs were referred to and required to pay attorneys or other professionals selected by Holiday to process their application," according to the complaint.
     The elderly plaintiffs claim they were pressured into signing lease agreements with confusing terms and told they must act quickly or certain discounts would expire.
     "Holiday also engaged in predatory sales practices to close the deal, such as repeated telephone calls, solicitations to attend 'seminars' and open houses, suggesting the possibility that Holiday would reimburse certain costs, assuring prospective tenants that Holiday would pay for moving costs, offering confusing discounts and reduced rent and pressuring plaintiffs to immediately sign multi-page residency agreements and confusing addenda or risk losing the incentives offered by Holiday. Plaintiffs relied on these misrepresentations in deciding to move into a Holiday property and were wrongfully induced into agreeing to high monthly rent payments they could not afford," according to the complaint.
     Plaintiffs Dickinson, Thelma Cramer, Shirley McClane and Martha Barney say they never received the promised benefits and that Holiday charges them "rent that is beyond their means and continues to increase."
     They add: "Defendants knew or should have known that several plaintiffs were not eligible for Aid and Attendance benefits, that plaintiffs were not likely to receive the amounts of benefits represented by Holiday, and that there was a substantial backlog of benefit applications at the VA so that plaintiffs could not be approved for many months even if they were eligible. As a result, defendants failed to exercise reasonable care or competence in providing information to plaintiffs about the Aid and Attendance program."
     They seek statutory damages, actual damages and damages for mental and emotional distress. They also seek declaratory judgment that the arbitration clause they allegedly signed as part of the lease agreement is "procedurally unconscionable."
     They are represented by Andrea Ogston with Legal Aid Services of Oregon.
     Here are the defendants: Holiday Retirement Inc., a Delaware corporation; Holiday Retirement Corp.; HRC Investors; Harvest Management Sub LLC, a Delaware company; Harvest Facility Holdings, a Delaware partnership; Parkrose Retirement Residence dba Parkrose Chateau; Vineyard Place Retirement Residence dba Vineyard Place; and Rockcreek Retirement Residence dba Rock Creek.

SOURCE:       The Court House News
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Aldridges Among Many to Hear Charges

By Patsy Brumfiled/Daily Journal
July 14, 2013

TUPELO – State Rep. Brian Aldridge and his parents of Tupelo will be among Lee County defendants July 19 to hear formal charges brought against them by the grand jury.

Scores of other defendants will appear that day before Circuit Judge Thomas Gardner III to enter pleas of guilty or not guilty.
The Aldridges were indicted June 28, accused of embezzlement from the estate of Florence Aldridge, the widow of the brother of Brian’s father, Louis.
Louis Aldridge was given her power of attorney while she was ill. He and his then-wife Janice Aldridge cared for the woman, but when she recovered she discovered her $700,000 estate was gone.
Louis Aldridge, 64, and Janice Aldridge, 61, divorced last November.
While the senior Aldridges have made no public comment, Brian Aldridge’s attorney, T.K. Moffett of Tupelo, insists his client is innocent.
Each Aldridge is free on $5,000 bond after voluntarily appearing at the Lee County Sheriff’s Office week before last, when their indictments became public.
The Mississippi Attorney General’s Public Integrity Division, which brought the case to the grand jury, accuses them of different unlawful actions.

During the time in question, the three Aldridges operated Touched By An Angel Ministries Inc., a non-profit camp for disabled youths and adults, in west Lee County.
The senior Aldridges are charged under the same Mississippi statute, Section 97-23-19, which relates to the fraudulent loss of a possession valued at $500 or more by “a trustee” or “agent” entrusted to take care of the property.

Louis Aldridge is accused of three counts – the first of taking funds for his own use from Feb. 1 until Oct. 15, 2005 from a Wachovia Bank account; the second from Sept. 20, 2006 until Feb. 25, 2007 from AmSouth Bank; and the third from Feb. 15 to Nov. 15, 2005 from her Bank of America account.
Janice Aldridge is accused of two counts – the first of taking funds for her own use on May 27, 2005 from a Wachovia Bank account; and the second, from Feb. 1, 2006 to July 5, 2007 from AmSouth Bank.
Records presented in a 2008 civil lawsuit by Florence Aldridge against them show $552,212.99 total disbursements from her accounts.
If convicted on those charges, Louis Aldridge and Janice Aldridge face up to 10 years in prison, a $25,000 fine or both per count.
They declared bankruptcy shortly after the civil trial began in August 2011.
As for 36-year-old Brian Aldridge, a legislator for House District 17, he is accused on one count, which is listed on his indictment as “embezzlement” but in Section 97-17-41 is termed “grand larceny.”
The law makes it a felony to take the personal property of another valued at $500 or more without the owner’s permission. Conviction calls for imprisonment “in the Penitentiary” not more than 10 years, a fine of $10,000 or both. He likely would be required to resign from office.
His indictment accuses him of taking money from his aunt’s Bank of America account for his own use “with the intent to permanently deprive her” of it.

In December 2011, Chancellor Michael Malski ordered Louis Aldridge and Janice Aldridge to repay Florence more than $552,000. Later he ordered Brian, as chief executive officer of Touched By An Angel Ministries Inc., to repay $218,355. His legislative salary is being garnished to satisfy that order, although he’s appealed it to the Mississippi Supreme Court.
Florence Aldridge’s attorneys counter-sued, saying Malski’s judgment was too low.
More than 400 cases on the docket will be called as the August term of court begins July 29.
The 1st Circuit District’s four judges preside in a rotation across the term’s five weeks.

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What Is Elder Abuse And When To Report Checklist (USA)

What Is Abuse?
Abuse is a form of mistreatment by one individual that causes harm to another person. If you witness a life-threatening situation involving a senior or adult with disabilities, immediately call 911.
These are commonly reported types of abuse* received by Adult Protective Service agencies:
• Physical abuse: may include slapping, hitting, beating, bruising or causing someone physical pain, injury or suffering. This also could include confining an adult against his/her will, such as locking someone in a room or tying him/her to furniture.
• Emotional abuse: involves creating emotional pain, distress or anguish through the use of threats, intimidation or humiliation. This includes insults, yelling or threats of harm and/or isolation, or non-verbal actions such as throwing objects or glaring to project fear and/or intimidation.
• Neglect: includes failures by individuals to support the physical, emotional and social needs of adults dependent on others for their primary care. Neglect can take the form of withholding food, medications or access to health care professionals. For more information on neglect,click here.
• Isolation: involves restricting visits from family and friends or preventing contact via telephone or mail correspondence.
• Financial or material exploitation: includes the misuse, mishandling or exploitation of property, possessions or assets of adults. Also includes using another’s assets without consent, under false pretense, or through coercion and/or manipulation.
• Abandonment: involves desertion by anyone who assumed caregiving responsibilities for an adult.
• Sexual abuse: includes physical force, threats or coercion to facilitate non-consensual touching, fondling, intercourse or other sexual activities. This is particularly true with vulnerable adults who are unable to give consent or comprehend the nature of these actions.
• Self-neglect: involves seniors or adults with disabilities who fail to meet their own essential physical, psychological or social needs, which threatens their health, safety and well-being. This includes failure to provide adequate food, clothing, shelter and health care for one’s own needs. You can learn more about self-neglect here.
* Definitions of abuse vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction. Please contact your local APS office for additional information.

When to Report Checklist

If you witness a life-threatening situation involving a senior or adult with disabilities, dial 911. Contact your local Adult Protective Services agency any time you observe or suspect the following:
• Sudden inability to meet essential physical, psychological or social needs threatening health, safety or well-being
• Disappearing from contact with neighbors, friends or family
• Bruising or welts on the skin, especially those appearing on the face or lateral and anterior region of the arms (physically abused elders are much more likely to display bruises than seniors injured by accident)
• Fingerprints or handprints visible on the face, neck, arms or wrists
• Burns from scalding, cigarettes, or in shapes of objects such as an iron
• Cuts, lacerations or puncture wounds
• Sprains, fractures or dislocations
• Internal injuries or vomiting
• Appearing with torn, stained, bloody clothing
• Appearing disheveled, in soiled clothing or inappropriately attired for climate
• Appearing hungry, malnourished, disoriented or confused

SOURCE:       National Adult Protective Services Association
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New State Law Seeks To End Abuse Of The Elderly

By: Amy Lipman
Aug 16, 2013

GRAND JUNCTION, Colo. (KKCO)

 A new Colorado law is looking to put a stop to abuse of senior citizens.
"We have a responsibility to make sure that as our senior’s age, when they become more vulnerable that we have the right resources at the right time to help them age with grace," said Reggie Bicha of the Colorado Department of Human Services.

Colorado was previously one of three states that did not require professionals who work with those above the age of 70 to report suspected cases of abuse.

The law covers a range of cases from physical abuse to financial exploitation.
"Folks who have saved their entire life to care for themselves and their families as they get older, to have a family member, a neighbor, a friend come in and take advantage of those resources and exploit them," Bicha said. "We need to stop that."

The law, which goes into effect July 2014, will give counties more resources to better train those who work with senior citizens.

It also will attempt to reduce the ratio of professionals to elderly people from 50 to 1, which law supporters say is one of the state's highest, to 25 to 1.

SOURCE:       The NBC11 News
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Care Worker Arrested For Elder Abuse After Deceased Woman Found In Home

by Joseph Sumbi (Editor)
August 15, 2013
By Bay City News Service

Vallejo police arrested a health care provider Tuesday after the elderly woman she was caring for was found dead.

Ann Marie De la Houssaye, 37, of Vallejo, was arrested on suspicion of elder abuse and neglect and possession of a controlled substance, Lt. Sid DeJesus said.
Solano County Health and Social Services asked police to check on the welfare Tuesday of 78-year-old Rosie Dright at her home at 148 Florida St.
The Vallejo Fire Department also responded, and police found Dright's body in the home. She appeared to have been deceased for "a lengthy period of time," DeJesus said.
Health and Social Services officials identified De la Houssaye as Dright's care provider, DeJesus said.
She was booked in the Solano County jail.

The Solano County District Attorney's Office filed misdemeanor complaints Dec. 18 and June 13 against De la Houssaye, according to Solano County Superior Court records. She was scheduled to appear in court Oct. 7.

SOURCE:       The Benicia Patch
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Salinas-Area Financial Adviser Pleads No Contest to Elder Abuse

Aug. 15, 2013  

Sandee Palmer Larkin, 65, entered a plea of “no contest” Tuesday to one felony count of financial elder abuse, the Monterey County district attorney’s office said. Larkin runs a business assisting people manage their money called Larkin Financial and Assistance Services.
While working for an elder (defined as anyone over 65), Larkin was responsible for making sure the victim’s account was balanced and the bills were paid in a timely manner, prosecutors said. She was also allowed to write checks including her own salary. She increased her own pay for several months ultimately taking at least $5,000 that she had not earned by overpaying herself, prosecutors said.

“The family thought they had done everything right by hiring a ‘professional’ to make sure their loved one’s bills were paid and nobody was stealing from her,” said Deputy District Attorney David Rabow. “Unfortunately for them, Ms. Larkin did steal money from the elder victim. Consumers are advised that professional fiduciaries are licensed by the California Department of Consumer Affairs and their status can be verified atwww.fiduciary.ca.gov. Larkin does not hold a current license according to the website.”
Anyone who believes that they have been the victim of elder abuse should contact local law enforcement or Adult Protective Services at 831-883-7565.

Judge Larry E. Hayes is scheduled to decide Larkin’s sentence at 8:45 a.m. Sept. 24. The sentence could range from felony probation up to four years in jail, prosecutors said.

SOURCE:      The Californian
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