Elder Abuse: Look For Safe Facilities And Watch Out for Warning Signs

Elder abuse: Look for safe facilities and watch out for warning signs
Millions of older Americans are living in nursing homes or assisted living facilities and about 7 percent of complaints on long-term care residences involve abuse, neglect, or exploitation, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Administration on Aging.
The Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon, and Western Washington urges consumers do research when selecting care facilities and to watch out for warning signs of elder abuse.
Indicators of exploitation can be financial, physical, or emotional and include: unusual cash withdrawals, investments or high-dollar purchases; adjusted wills, trusts, or powers of attorney; poor skin condition, rashes, lice, infections, dehydration, malnutrition, drastic weight loss, or unexplained injuries; or socially withdrawn or non-communicative behavior.

Care facilities
Have you visited several sites and filled out a checklist for each one? Do facilities appear safe, clean, and organized? Do residents seem well cared for and in good spirits? Is the food appetizing and adjustable to dietary restrictions? Is there a daily activity schedule or do occupants seem under-engaged?
• Are visiting hours flexible? Can friends and families monitor care at any time?
• What’s the ratio of aides to residents or patients? How quickly do caregivers respond to rings or calls for assistance? What’s the demeanor of the caregivers? How do nursing homes compare in terms of quality of care at medicare.gov/quality-care-finder?
• Is the information available from the Washington State Department of Social and Health Services on complaints filed about the facility and inspection reports on it positive or negative?
• What’s the protocol on medical decisions? Will the family be notified of all changes to doctors, medicines, or other treatments beforehand?
• Do facilities offer verifiable references?
To report elder abuse in Washington state, call 866-EndHarm or 866-363-4276.
For more information, go to the DSHS’ Adult Abuse and Prevention and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ National Center on Elder Abuse at ncea.aoa.gov.
For more information for boomer consumers, see my blog The Survive and Thrive Boomer Guide.

SOURCE:         The Seattle PI Blog
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Take A Stand in Mississippi: Stop Abuse and Neglect of Vulnerable Persons

 June 13, 2013
Jackson

Every year an estimated 2.1 million older Americans are victims of elder abuse, neglect or exploitation. And that's only part of the picture: Experts believe that for every case of elder abuse or neglect reported, as many as 14 cases go unreported. On June 15, Mississippi's Adult Protective Services (APS) program will join with national and international partners in celebration of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.  Mississippi's statute is a ‘vulnerable persons' law, and does not include all elders, however,  the majority of cases involve the elderly.  Vulnerable persons are those who are impaired mentally or physically to care for or protect themselves from abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Although the frequency of abuse among vulnerable adult populations is unknown, it happens, and across the country, reported incidents are on the rise. During State Fiscal Year 2012, the Mississippi Department of Human Services, Division of Aging and Adult Services, Adult Protective Services (APS) received more than 4,000 calls of suspected abuse, neglect or exploitation of vulnerable adults.  Types of abuse include physical, mental, sexual, self-neglect, caregiver neglect and financial exploitation.
Specifically, Mississippi APS investigates reports of vulnerable persons 18 and older who reside in private home settings and who may be abused, neglected or exploited by family or caregivers or are victims of self-neglect. Other APS investigations include abuse in smaller unlicensed personal care homes where three or fewer persons reside; financial exploitation of care facility residents when perpetrated by a family member; or abuse by a caretaker or family member that occurred prior to a vulnerable person's admission to a care facility.
With the rise of aging baby boomers and longer life expectancies, maltreatment incidences toward elders and younger vulnerable adults will grow nationally and worldwide. The time is now to take a stand against abuse of vulnerable persons. How can you help take a stand in Mississippi?

8 Things You Can Do
1. Learn the signs of vulnerable persons abuse, neglect and exploitation.
2. Call or visit vulnerable relatives, friends and neighbors.
3. Offer assistance to a caregiver by filling in for a few hours or more.
4. Get involved by raising awareness.
5. Share information on vulnerable persons abuse with churches and community groups. 
6. Support strengthening laws and services for the protection of vulnerable persons against abuse. 
7. Speak up for vulnerable persons who may be unable to speak up for themselves.  
8. Volunteer with nursing homes, local agencies and long-term care facilities.

It's everyone's duty to report.

To make a report, call the MDHS Centralized Intake Abuse Hotline at 1-800-222-8000.  If an emergency exists, call 911 or local law enforcement.
To report abuse or neglect of residents in care facilities (i.e., nursing homes, personal care homes), call the Mississippi State Department of Health, Division of Health Facilities, Licensure and Certification at 1-800-227-7308 or 601-364-1110, or the Office of the Attorney General, Medicaid Fraud Control Unit at 1-800-852-8341 or 601-359-4220.
Take a stand against abuse of vulnerable persons.  

SOURCE:      WJTV
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Judeg Upholds $23 Million Emeritus Elder Abuse Verdict, Adds Millions More

Judge Upholds $23 Million Emeritus Elder Abuse Verdict, Adds Millions More
Written by Elizabeth Ecker
June 12, 2013

A Sacramento superior court judge has upheld a jury’s verdict finding Emeritus Senior Living (NYSE:ESC) responsible for the wrongful death of one of its California residents five years ago. In addition to upholding the jury’s verdict including a $23 million award in punitive damages to the late resident’s family, Judge Judy Holzer Hersher also awarded the plaintiffs’ lawyers with $4.3 million more in fees and costs, according to a Sacramento Bee report.

In the ruling, Judge Hersher noted a high degree of reprehensibility on the part of Emeritus for the 81-year-old under the company’s care, who passed away due to sustained bed sores, according to the report.
“Justice was served, and Judge Judy Holzer Hersher is holding Emeritus’ feet to the fire in not letting them overturn the jury’s hard work in examining the overwhelming evidence in this case that the only way out of an Emeritus facility is in a coffin,” plaintiffs’ attorney Lesley Ann Clement told the Sac Bee following the ruling.
After the initial March 8 verdict including a $23 million award to the family of the former resident in the wrongful death and elder abuse suit, Emeritus prepared to challenge the decision, engaging attorneys from top East Coast law firm Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom, reported the Seattle Times. Emeritus’ new legal team includes Clifford Sloan, a former law clerk for Supreme Court Justice John Paul Stevens with extensive appeals litigation experience.
“We believe that the verdict was tainted by the admission of improper testimony and evidence and does not reflect the care that we provided to Ms. Joan Boice,” Emeritus spokeswoman Karen Lucas said in a statement. “We are proud of the high quality of care that Emeritus employees passionately provide to our 41,000 residents nationwide.”

Emeritus said it will appeal the ruling including the “inflammatory” evidence the company says led to a unsupported verdict.

“In its post-trial motions and on appeal, Emeritus will challenge, among other important issues, the irrelevant and inflammatory evidence that led to an unconstitutional and unsupported punitive damages verdict,” the company stated. “We look forward to bringing this matter before the appellate courts in California to avoid similar outcomes in future cases where appropriate care was provided.”
Read the Sacramento Bee report.

SOURCE:       Senior Housing News

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Gadsden County Community Leaders Fight Elder Abuse

June 12, 2013
By: Jade Bulecza
HAVANA, Fla.
(WTXL)

It's a problem state leaders say is impacting thousands of seniors in our area.
State leaders say elder abuse is on the rise and it's one of the most under reported crimes.
Breaking the silence is the message at Havana Learning Center. Community leaders say to stop elder abuse it must be reported.
Children beating up the elderly and taking advantage of them are stories Lillian Johnson, the director of the Havana Learning Center, says she hears on a regular basis.
"It's not strangers doing this, it's family and friends that are doing this to our seniors," said Johnson.
She says many elderly people who are abused live in fear but by hosting events like this one recognizing "Word Elder Abuse Awareness Day," Johnson says she's working to let seniors know if they're being abused, there is help.
Abuse, Johnson says comes in many forms.
"It doesn't have to be physical," said Johnson."It can be mental, financial abuse," said Johnson. "How do we stop it? If you see it
going on you have to report it, if you don't report it how are we going to know."

The Florida Department of Children and Families investigated 64,000 allegations of abuse last year. More than 2,100 cases were in Franklin, Jefferson, Leon, Liberty, and Wakulla counties. DCF says it's a slight increase from 2011.
Call the Florida Abuse Hotline at 1-800-962-2873 to report abuse or go to www.FloridaAbuseHotline.com.

SOURCE:        WTXL
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York County Elder Abuse Reports Have Increase, Officials Say (PA. USA)

Types of abuse include physical, emotional, verbal, sexual and financial, as well as neglect.
By ED MAHON 
Daily Record/Sunday News
06/12/2013
York, PA

Elder abuse reports have increased in Pennsylvania and York County, officials said at Wednesday's county commissioners' meeting.
In a proclamation, County Commissioner Doug Hoke said elder abuse reports in Pennsylvania increased by 35 percent from 2007 through 2011.
Stephanie Frey, director of social services with the York County Area Agency on Aging, said York County has seen an increase, as well.
"We're averaging about 55 reports of need each month," Frey said during the meeting. "And we've really seen a lot of financial exploitation cases."
Frey said afterward that people can report cases of suspected abuse to the local agency.
"We will take that report, and we fully investigate all types of abuse that ... are out there," Frey said.
Types of abuse can include physical, emotional, verbal, financial and sexual, as well as neglect, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Aging.
Wednesday's proclamation named Saturday as a day dedicated to elder abuse prevention in York County. Hoke said there are about 86,000 county residents age 60 or older.
A Department of Aging news release from earlier this month said Pennsylvania Supreme Court Justice Debra Todd is chairwoman of the newly established Elder Law Task Force, which was formed to study issues relating to guardianship, abuse and neglect, and access to justice for older Pennsylvanians.
The task force will make recommendations for court rules, legislation, education and best practices, according to the release. Amy Kelchner, spokeswoman for the Administrative Office of Pennsylvania Courts, said the task force expects to deliver recommendations mid-2014.
By the numbers
Here is a look at the number of reports of need for protective services for York County in recent fiscal years:
2008-09: 499 reports
2009-10: 593 reports
2010-11: 630 reports
Statewide, there were 18,129 such reports, and 4,344 of the cases were substantiated as needing protective services.
Source: Older Adults Protective Services Annual Report for fiscal year 2010-11 from the Pennsylvania Department of Aging
How to report supposed abuse
For the York County Area Agency on Aging, call 717-771-9610 or 1-800-632-9073.
The Pennsylvania Department of Aging says people can also contact a 24-hour statewide elder abuse hotline at 1-800-490-8505.
For more information, visit www.aging.state.pas.

SOURCE:      York Daily Record
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It Is Time To Stop Elder Abuse

June 6, 2013

Press Release – Age Concern

People must not turn a blind eye if they suspect an older person is being abused or neglected and Age Concern New Zealand continues to spread this message.Age Concern New Zealand media release – June 6, 2013

It is time to stop elder abuse

People must not turn a blind eye if they suspect an older person is being abused or neglected and Age Concern New Zealand continues to spread this message.

Spokesperson Louise Collins says it is vital people speak out and a phone call to their local Age Concern is the right step.

“Don’t let fear of meddling in someone else’s business stop you from voicing your concern. It is time to stop elder abuse in our communities and if we all pull together we can achieve this,” she said.

Age Concern has just launched its Always Respected, Never Abused campaign, ahead of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Saturday June 15.

The purple-themed campaign aims to inform people that elder abuse – including financial and material, psychological, physical abuse, and neglect – is a widespread issue in New Zealand. A nationwide appeal will help fund prevention work.

Age Concern’s elder abuse and neglect prevention (EANP) teams work closely with older people and their families to resolve issues of abuse and ensure it does not reoccur. Age Concern also works in communities to educate people about the signs and effects of abuse to help prevent it from happening and how to challenge disrespectful attitudes towards older people.

Mrs Collins says that nationwide EANP services receive more than 1600 referrals each year.

“That is an average of six calls per day about older people suspected of being abused or neglected. In over half of these cases, abuse or neglect is confirmed,” she said.

“We know that’s just the tip of the iceberg. But it doesn’t have to be this way. The more people understand about elder abuse and what they can do to stop it, the better.”

Mrs Collins said elder abuse is often fuelled by attitudes that are ageist and disrespectful of older people.

In New Zealand the most commonly reported types are financial abuse and psychological abuse.

“Some people think that because someone is old it doesn’t matter what happens to them anymore or they don’t need money to spend,” Mrs Collins said.

“They make decisions for the older person without even asking them what it is they want. Or, they ridicule them about the decisions they do make. Sometimes, they pressure older people into doing things they don’t really want to do – like giving a loan, selling their house or letting a family member move in with them for free. Attitudes like these show a lack of respect for the older person, for their quality of life and for their needs.”

Mrs Collins said between 70 and 80 percent of elder abuse and neglect in New Zealand occurs at the hands of family members. About half of abusers are adult children and about half of the abused elders are over 80-years-old.

“This is one of the reasons it stays hidden. Many older people feel ashamed their own flesh and blood is treating them badly, so they won’t talk about it,” she said.

“We know that family are very precious to older people, and try to get a win-win result when there are difficulties with family relationships. We help people recognise that older people have a lot to contribute and are very valuable members of families and the community.”

Ends

SOURCE:        SCOOP, NZ

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Woman Repays Elderly Victim In Medical Scam

The Associated Press
Jun. 6, 2013

HONOLULU
A woman who conned an elderly may into paying $22,000 for bogus medical care has repaid the money.
Katy Sterio, 34, who has spent nearly a year in jail, repaid the money Wednesday as part of her plea deal to avoid a prison term of up to 10 years, the Honolulu Star-Advertiser reported (http://bit.ly/186NnJT).

She remains under investigation and faces an August court appearance to determine whether she owes additional money that the man's family says is missing.
Scott Spallina, chief of the city prosecutor's elder abuse unit, said Sterio and another woman met Stanley Ho, 73, last year in downtown Honolulu. They convinced him that the other woman had stomach cancer and needed cash for surgery.
How gave the women $22,000. He tried to take another $120,000 from his bank, prosecutors said, but bank officials called police.

The second woman was not found.

Sterio in July pleaded guilty to felony theft and attempted theft. The deal called for a sentence of a year in jail and five years of probation if she repaid the $22,000. Her jail term ends this month.
Spallina said Ho's family believes another $12,000 is missing. Defense lawyer Michael Green said Sterio will pay back that money if she owes it.
Sterio has a previous conviction in California for a scam.

According to the Orange County Office of the District Attorney, Sterio and another woman persuaded a 77-year-old man to give them a car. They also used his credit to buy jewelry for $28,000. Police were called when the women told the man that Sterio was in an accident and needed $50,000 for surgery.

Sterio pleaded guilty to four counts of financial elder abuse. She and the accomplice were sentenced to six months in jail and restitution.

"This scam plays out repeatedly on the mainland," Spallina said. "And for us to see this identical scam of befriending (an elderly victim) and giving a sob story to where they have to pay in cash to a fake doctor. We're seeing now these scams start to happen here in Hawaii."

SOURCE:       SacBee
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2 Charged In Berkeley Elder Abuse Embezzlement Case

2 charged in Berkeley elder abuse embezzlement case
June 6, 2013
by Emilie Raguso

A Vallejo couple has been charged by the Alameda County district attorney’s office with elder abuse after authorities say they took about $842,000 from their alleged victim, some of which was spent on everything from tuition at UC Berkeley to an Audi luxury coupe. Authorities said some of the money also was spent, legitimately, on the alleged victim’s own living expenses.
Vallejo residents Jeffrey Edward Alexander and Adriana Segurado Rodezno remain in custody at Santa Rita Jail after being arrested on a warrant in San Francisco on May 28.
According to court documents, Alexander met the alleged victim, a 69-year-old Santa Barbara man, in March 2009, after the man’s wife died. Alexander became friends with him and “slowly took over duties assisting him with personal matters. In late 2010 Alexander suggested they move together to Berkeley,” because Alexander’s wife, Rodezno, was going to attend UC Berkeley.
(Rodezno was listed as an undergraduate advisor in UC Berkeley’s Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering in both 2011-12 and 2012-13.
Berkeley Police spokeswoman officer Jennifer Coats said, at one point, all three shared a residence Berkeley, starting in 2010.
In September 2012, the men entered into a business partnership, named McGuffin Holdings after the victim’s cat, and the victim gave Alexander “an investment of $125,000 to use trading foreign currencies,” according to court documents. The man told authorities this was the only large sum of money he knowingly gave Alexander.
Police said Alexander moved a total of about $842,000 from the man’s retirement accounts into his checking account. According to a report written by Berkeley Police detective Alexander McDougall, “Some of this money was undoubtedly spent for Victim’s benefit, including rent on a home, and food and other necessities. However Alexander also spent large sums of money on himself or his wife,” wrote McDougall, including $86,000 for his wife’s UC Berkeley tuition; $17,000 on an Audi luxury coupe; $12,000 on Apple products and computers; $8,000 for personal training sessions for himself and his wife; and $7,200 on a high-end car stereo.
McDougall said in his report that Alexander used the man’s credit card to “support lavish daily spending habits,” which added up to purchases of nearly $400,000.
According to McDougall, the victim became suspicious of Alexander’s activities and reported the possibility of fraud in February. The man said he suffered from mental health issues including attention deficit disorder, depression and post traumatic stress disorder, which affect his ability to carry out normal activities, making him a dependent adult under state law.

Abridged
SOURCE:      The BerkeleySide
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Elder Abuse Is A Crime

Elder abuse is a crime
June 6, 2013

World Elder Abuse Day will be observed — not celebrated — on June 15.
Elder abuse is a crime and can take many forms:
Physical is the most evident that results in bruises and worse.
Mental is psychological and can be even worse than physical abuse.
Financial is defrauding or draining of resources of an elder.
Deprivation can be of either food or temperature in life-threatening situations.
Denial of services for health or comfort or other degrading instances.
Economic situations can add to the potential for abuse. However, it can never be justified.
When elder abuse is suspected it must be reported to the local authorities for further investigation. Do not attempt to investigate on your own; it may prove dangerous.
Remember, elder abuse is a crime. Elders, who have contributed so much to our society, deserve to live in a dignified and respected environment in their later years.
Be a good citizen and a good neighbor and report instances of elder abuse, while contemplating that you may also be an elder in the future. In Florida, elder abuse may be reported by calling the abuse hotline at 1-800-962-2873.
Austin Curry, executive director, Elder Care Advocacy of Florida, Tampa
Copyright © 2013, South Florida Sun-Sentinel

SOURCE:         The Sun-Sentinel
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Elder Abuse A Growing Concern As Population Ages

 Vancouver Sun
 June 6, 2013

According to the United Nations, the global population of people 60 years of age and older will more than double between 1992 and 2025 - from 542 million to 1.2 billion.

Consequently, the number of people suffering from age-related conditions will also increase dramatically. And while some of these conditions can be successfully treated, others will require long-term assistance and care.

And this itself presents a problem, as that assistance and care is sometimes lacking - in fact, some seniors who need help receive exactly the opposite.

We're talking here about elder abuse - a problem the world has been slow to recognize, but which, fortunately, is now receiving more attention, with the UN's World Elder Abuse Awareness Day being observed on June 15.

According to the federal Ministry of State for Seniors, elder abuse "is any action by someone in a relationship of trust that results in harm or distress to an older person." And while abuse is typically intentional, older people can also be subject to neglect, which may be intentional or unintentional.

The invisibility of elder abuse is particularly troubling given how prevalent the problem is: Although statistics are hard to come by, according to the BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support, eight per cent, or 61,000 seniors in B.C., experience abuse.

One reason for this prevalence is that abuse exists in many forms. The abuse can be physical, psychological or emotional, sexual, related to the over-or under-prescription or withholding of medication, involve a violation of civil or human rights, or financial. In fact, financial abuse, which involves misuse of a senior's funds and assets, is believed to be the most common form of elder abuse.

Another reason for the prevalence of abuse is that it can be committed by virtually anyone, from family members and friends to formal and informal caregivers. Yet it still remains somewhat invisible, in many cases because the victims are embarrassed to reveal the abuse or because they fear retaliation or loss of services they need.

Others don't necessarily realize they're being abused or neglected, and some have difficulty seeking help because of language or cultural barriers or disabilities. And family members who suspect abuse are sometimes worried about making the situation worse if they become involved.

Nonetheless, it's important to address the problem when it occurs because it can lead to psychological and emotional injuries, up to and including death. And the B.C. Ministry of Justice points out that many laws exist to protect seniors from abuse, including the Criminal Code, B.C. victims' legislation and B.C.'s Adult Guardian legislation.

Most seniors do, of course, need help in protecting their rights and health, and fortunately that help does exist. If family and friends are unable or unwilling to help, seniors can call the police, or seek the assistance of victim service programs, the Public Guardian and Trustee (which investigates reports of financial abuse), and designated agencies under the Adult Guardianship Act, including regional health authorities, Providence Health Care Society and Community Living BC.

For more information on elder abuse, as well as assistance, visit the BC Centre for Elder Advocacy and Support at bcceas.ca or call its Seniors Abuse and Information Line (SAIL) at 604-4371940 or 1-866-437-1940 (toll free).

© Copyright (c) The Vancouver Sun

SOURCE:      The Vancouver Sun
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