Patti's Comment: Sadly, abuse and neglect of innocent American citizens happens everyday! No one should be exploited simply because of their age or disability. I hope that World Elder Abuse Day will bring light to this sad reality and encourage each and every one of you to speak out if you even “suspect” that abuse is taking place. We can not just pretend it is not our business. Protecting innocent people from harm should be the business of every citizen every day!
For more articles and resources about this important issue, also see my PEKD Advocacy website page.
The National Center on Elder Abuse newsfeed includes articles and stories related to abuse of elders and adults with disabilities. Articles related to elders appear in the top half of the newsfeed. Articles related to abuse of adults with disabilities appear towards the bottom.
1. AARP, June 14, 2012
White House Announces Coordinated Effort To Combat Elder Financial Abuse
Federal programs that target the devastating and increasing problem of financial abuse against older Americans will be improved and tightly coordinated, replacing the current “fragmented” approach, Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius announced Thursday. At a White House forum on elder abuse and financial exploitation, Sebelius says a $5.5 million grant under the Affordable Care Act will be used to create a federal elder justice coordination team, including officials from the Justice Department and the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB)
2. Accounting Web, June 13, 2012
Experts Say Financial Abuse of Elderly Getting Worse
The Investor Protection Trust (IPT) released on June 13, 2012, the results of its Elder Investment Fraud and Financial Exploitation Survey. The survey found that 84 percent of the 762 respondents who deal with investment fraud and financial exploitation of American senior citizens agree that the problem is getting worse.
3. Consumer Reports, June 14, 2012
Financial elder abuse is virulent and preventable
One in five Americans over age 65 have been financially swindled, says a new report by the Financial Protection Trust, a nonprofit organization focused on investor education. That estimate lends added urgency to the agenda of a White House symposium being held today in observance of Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
4. Forbes, June 14, 2012
Watch Your Aging Parents’ Wallet – Somebody’s Waiting to Rip Them Off
Nearly 60 percent of those polled deal with elderly victims of investment fraud or financial exploitation quite often or somewhat often. Most agree that the problem is indeed serious.
5. Los Angeles Times, June 14, 2012
Consumer bureau launches inquiry into financial abuse of elderly
Saying that older Americans have been scammed out of billions of dollars, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau on Thursday launched an inquiry into financial abuse of the elderly. The agency will be accepting public comments until Aug. 13.
6. USA TODAY, June 14, 2012
Sebelius: Fighting abuse of senior citizens
Secretary Kathleen Sebelius of Health and Human Services wrote an article for USA Today about raising awareness of elder abuse. She also announced new funding under the Affordable Care Act that will “help address our deficit of solid research on how to stop elder abuse by helping states test promising new approaches.”
7. ALABAMA (Huntsville), WAAYTV.com, June 14, 2012
Elder Abuse Awareness Event
Officials estimate that over 25,000 cases of elder abuse go unreported every year in the United States. Wednesday morning the Alabama Elder Justice Alliance held the states 4th Annual Event for World Elder Abuse Awareness. This year is significant because Governor Bentley recently signed the Elder Abuse Prevention Act into law.
8. ARIZONA (Tucson), Tucson Citizen, June 14, 2012
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
June 15 is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), and Better Business Bureau of Southern Arizona is marking the occasion by calling attention to the many ways the elderly are victimized in southern Arizona, and throughout the world.
9. ARIZONA (Yuma County), Yuma Sun, June 14, 2012
Signs of elder abuse, how to report it are focus Friday
http://www.yumasun.com/news/abuse-79710-elder-elderly.html
Yuma County's Elder Abuse Coalition is hosting the I Will Prevent Elder Abuse event Friday. That date is also World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
10. CALIFORNIA (Orange County), The Sacramento Bee, June 13, 2012
Ageless Alliance: United Against Elder Abuse Launches June 14 at the White House
Ageless Alliance: United Against Elder Abuse is a social justice movement connecting all generations to identify, prevent and eliminate abuse and neglect of the most vulnerable adults in society.
11. CALIFORNIA (Riverside), Press-Enterprise, June 12, 2012
Doctors appointed to examine murder, arson defendant
A 48-year-old developmentally disabled woman of Riverside remains in custody while doctors determine her competency to stand trial on murder, arson and elder-abuse charges. She is accused of setting a fire that killed her father.
12. DELAWARE (New Castle), News.Delaware.gov, June 14, 2012
Delaware to Observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day
Delaware will observe the seventh annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on Friday, June 15, with a series of events in the state’s three counties.
13. FLORIDA (Ocala), Ocala.com, June 14, 2012
Child actor, elder advocate, is speaker at symposium
Emmy Award-winning child star, Lauren Chapin, will be the keynote speaker at an Ocala event to promote awareness of elder abuse in honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.
14. FLORIDA (Tampa), Hernando Today, June 14, 2012
The painful truth of elder abuse
Brooksville Regional Hospital has partnered with the Department of Children & Families and other agencies and organizations to offer a panel discussion on elder abuse in honor of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Section 415.1034, Florida Statutes, mandates any person who knows or has reasonable cause to suspect that a vulnerable adult is being abused, neglected or exploited shall immediately report such knowledge or suspicion to the Florida Abuse Hotline.
15. GEORGIA (Bryan County), Savannah Now, June 14, 2012
Elder abuse awareness day is Friday
The Department of Human Services Division of Aging Services is encouraging individuals and community groups to learn the signs of elder abuse and neglect, tell others that the issue is critically important, and reach out to elders who may be at risk.
16. ILLINOIS (Chicago), Courthouse news, June 13, 2012
Fired Social Worker Takes School to Task
A high school social worker claims in court that she was fired for calling an elder abuse hotline after a student confided that her 72-year-old adoptive father was "pooping all over the house and peeing on [her] bed," and "held a knife" to her.
17. INDIANA (Indianapolis), The Star Press, June 14, 2012
Elder Abuse Awareness Day
June 15 marks the seventh annual World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. On this day, activities that promote awareness of the mistreatment of older adults are occurring throughout the world. To report elder abuse in Indiana, call (800) 992-6978.
18. LOUISIANA (Baton Rouge), The Best of Times News, June 14, 2012
Community Trust Bank Takes Stand to Protect Seniors from Financial Abuse
Community Trust Bank is reminding consumers of all ages and businesses that June 15 is “World Elder Abuse Awareness Day.” The bank says that financial abuse, fraud and identity theft is an increasing problem for seniors who are particularly vulnerable with the proliferation of the internet.
19. MAINE (Kennebec), Kennebec Journal Online, June 14, 2012
No excuse for abuse of seniors, regardless of what form it takes
Friday is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. Spectrum Generations encourages everyone to take the time to educate themselves and to keep their eyes and ears open for possible abuse. Remember: There is no excuse for elder abuse!
20. NEW YORK (Albany), CNN Money, June 14, 2012
Seniors lose billions to financial abuse
Senior citizens have been getting swindled out of billions of dollars a year, and the trend is only getting worse, studies show. The increase in financial abuse of the elderly prompted the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, the government's new consumer watchdog, to launch an inquiry into the issue on Thursday.
21. NEW YORK (Canisteo), Evening Tribune, June 13, 2012
Canisteo father, daughter charged with grand larceny
An alleged thieving father-daughter team are facing felony grand larceny charges after they reportedly stole thousands from an elderly man’s trust fund. Barbara Freeland allegedly stole more than $50,000 from the trust fund, while her father reportedly stole more than $1,000 from the same fund.
22. NORTH CAROLINA (Onslow), JD News, June 14, 2012
Elder abuse walk planned
Onslow Parks and Recreation in partnership with the Eastern Carolina Area Agency on Aging will be hosting the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Walk on Friday at the New River Waterfront Park.
23. OREGON (Salem), Oregon Live, June 14, 2012
Education is the key to stopping elder financial abuse in Oregon
Financial abuse has become the number one issue of abuse affecting our older population in Oregon and across the country. Education is the answer to curbing the problem of elder abuse. Everyone needs to know what elder abuse is, the signs and what to look out for, as well as how to report it.
24. PENNSYLVANIA (Philadelphia), US Politics, June 14, 2012
Pennsylvania Department of Aging Urges Public to Report Elder Abuse, Neglect
To mark the June 15 observance of Elder Abuse Awareness Day, the Pennsylvania Department of Aging is reminding the public of the many forms that abuse can take and the ways in which concerned residents can report suspected abuse and neglect.
25. PENNSYLVANIA (Schuylkill County), Republican Herald, June 14, 2012
Coroner’s office contracts another autopsy service
The Schuylkill County coroner’s office will add another autopsy service provider for a greatly reduced rate of $1,500 per service. Following the announcement, the state Department of Aging Secretary congratulated the Schuylkill Elder Abuse Prevention Alliance for receiving the Non-Profit of the Year Award from the Schuylkill Chamber of Commerce.
26. VERMONT (Montpelier), Boston.com, June 13, 2012
Rights group: Man died after neglect by son, state
Vermont lawmakers are being briefed on the deaths of two vulnerable Vermonters: an 80-year-old man who the group Disability Rights Vermont says died after neglect both by his son and the state, and a patient who died at the Brattleboro Retreat psychiatric hospital in January.
27. VERMONT (Montpelier), NECN.com, June 13, 2012
Rights group: Man died after neglect by son, state
Vermont lawmakers are being briefed on the deaths of two vulnerable Vermonters: an 80-year-old man who the group Disability Rights Vermont says died after neglect both by his son and the state, and a patient who died at the Brattleboro Retreat psychiatric hospital in January.
28. VIRGINIA (Staunton), Newsleader, June 12, 2012
Staunton conference to highlight elder abuse
As part of its community outreach mission, the Staunton Senior Center will host its second annual conference on how to prevent elder abuse this Friday.
29. WASHINGTON (King County), Issaquah Press, June 12, 2012
King County Council proclaims Elder Abuse Awareness Day
King County Council members declared Friday as Elder Abuse Awareness Day to reflect concerns about the safety of vulnerable adults. The proclamation encourages citizens to commit to building safer lives and safer community for elderly residents.
30. WASHINGTON, D.C., Washington Examiner, June 12, 2012 (Opinion)
D.C. Council ignores neglect, exploitation of seniors
Some of the worst exploitation of vulnerable D.C. residents, many of them elderly African American women, is being perpetrated by D.C. Superior Probate Court judges and professional vultures in the legal system, who exploit seniors using the very system meant to protect them.
31. WEST VIRGINIA (Harrison County), wboy.com, June 14, 2012
Harrison County Senior Citizens Center Holds Elder Abuse Awareness Day Event in Clarksburg
Clarksburg’s vice mayor read a proclamation concerning elder abuse and officials with the DHHR talked about how seniors can watch out for physical and verbal abuse and financial exploitation. The official Elder Abuse Awareness Day will be observed at the state capitol in Charleston Friday.
32. INTERNATIONAL (St. John’s, Antigua), Antigua Observer, June 14, 2012
Elder abuse remains a problem
The chief welfare aide in the Ministry of Social Transformation said that new legislation is needed to combat the growing occurrence of financial abuse against elderly persons in the country.
33. INTERNATIONAL (Victoria, Australia), ABC.net.au, June 14, 2012
Elderly community sees increase in thieving families
Tony Fitzgerald, Managing Director, State Trustees Victoria says increasingly people are boosting their own wallet when given the financial responsibility of an elder.
34. INTERNATIONAL (Victoria, Australia), The Age, June 13, 2012
Call for cameras in nursing home rooms
ELDER-abuse campaigners are calling for nursing homes to have cameras installed in rooms so relatives can see what's happening to their loved ones and verify claims of neglect and abuse. Representatives from Aged Care Crisis and Elder Care Watch said cameras in residents' rooms may also deter staff from doing the wrong thing.
35. INTERNATIONAL (New Delhi, India), Zee News India, June 14, 2012
‘Senior citizens abused more in Bhopal, Guwahati’
Bhopal and Guwahati top an ignominious list of cities where senior citizens face more abuse, a survey by an NGO claimed on Thursday. The national capital was placed lower in the list but the number of elderly facing abuse had gone up drastically from 12 per cent last year to almost 30 per cent this year in the metropolis, the survey conducted by HelpAge India stated.
36. INTERNATIONAL (New Delhi, India), NY Daily News, June 14, 2012
31 percent elderly facing abuse
Nearly 31 percent of the elderly in the country face abuse in some form, and more than half of them feel their sons were responsible for this, a report said Thursday. The report by the HelpAge India on the eve of the World Elder Abuse Awareness Day June 15 also said that more elderly women than men faced abuse.
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