Discovery Bay caretaker arrested in death of elderly man

By Robert Salonga
Contra Costa Times

07/20/2009

A live-in caretaker was arrested after an elderly man was found dead in his home and his wife was hospitalized because of heat-related ailments, the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office said.

Investigators suspect that the woman, who has been caring for the wife for less than a year, did not turn on the home’s air conditioning in 100-degree weather, said sheriff’s spokesman Jimmy Lee.

Sheriff’s deputies went to a home in the 1200 block of Discovery Bay Boulevard about 11:15 p.m. Saturday, where an elderly man was reported as not breathing. Firefighters and an ambulance were already there and George Brim, 90, was pronounced dead in an upstairs bedroom. His 85-year-old wife, Shirley Brim, was hospitalized with heat-related ailments.

While an investigation is in its early stages, Lee said it was apparent to investigators that the air conditioning in the home, which was to be monitored by the caretaker, had not been turned on in some time. The windows of the bedroom where the man was found dead were closed when emergency crews arrived.

Failure to commit to adult protection legislation lambasted

Overwhelming support for legislation in response to No Secrets 20 July 2009

writes Maria Ahmed

Campaigners have criticised the government’s failure to commit to legislation to strengthen protection of adults from abuse in England.

Today, the Department of Health published a report on its consultation on the review of No Secrets, the adult protection guidance introduced in 2000.

More than half of respondents – 68% – supported new safeguarding legislation, and 92% wanted adult safeguarding boards to be placed on a statutory footing, it revealed.

Duty to co-operate wins ‘near unanimous’ support

There was also “near unanimous” support for a wider duty on agencies to co-operate in relation to safeguarding across social care, police and the NHS. The majority also backed giving agencies the power to enter premises where abuse was suspected and introducing a new offence of ill-treating or neglecting a vulnerable adult with capacity.

Liberal Democrat MP Paul Burstow, a campaigner on older people’s issues, claimed the government wanted to avoid the funding implications of radically overhauling the adult protection system.

“Instead of making a policy announcement they have kicked the issue into the long grass,” he said.

Burstow said he would attempt to introduce a private member’s bill on adult safeguarding in the autumn.

Abridged

SOURCE: Community Care.Co.UK

July 14, 2009

by Nick Johnson

For many people, the thought of nursing home neglect is upsetting at the least. For those individuals who have elderly relatives in a home or other elderly care facility, the idea of it is unfathomable.

All too often, however, elder abuse and nursing home neglect take place in this country and in others. For those who do not know how to spot this kind of problem, there are signs and symptoms of neglect to look for. Often, elderly individuals who are victims of neglect or elder abuse do not show the kinds of symptoms that one would always expect, and some of them are also not capable of articulating their problems well enough for their friends and relatives to understand what is really happening to them.

Nursing home neglect and elder abuse have symptoms that are sometimes physical, such as cuts, bruises, and other problems. In addition, however, mental and emotional abuse and neglect can leave marks that are not so easily seen. These can linger and become more problematic as they pray on the mind of the elderly individual.

Health and support listings

By Phyllis Day, Times Staff Writer
July 21, 2009

Elder Abuse Hotline: To report suspected cases of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation, or those 60 or older who are being hurt or taken advantage of by someone you know, call toll-free 1-800-96-ELDER (1-800-963-5337) or 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873) . Sponsored by the Florida Department of Children and Families and the Florida Department of Elder Affairs.

Jul 14, 2009

Source: County

Suspect took over $50k for work that was never done

Santa Barbara County Detectives have arrested a man suspected of ripping off more than a dozen people who hired him to do landscaping work.

Gilbert Lee Martinez (DOB 3/22/69) is suspected of contacting potential tree trimming clients, quoting a price, taking money up front and then leaving without ever performing any work. Over the past few months the SBSO received several complaints from victims, many who are elderly, who have paid as much as $2,000 for work that was never done.

On Thursday, July 9, 2009 authorities in Arcadia, CA detained Martinez for trying to cash a forged check. They discovered a warrant for Martinez in Santa Barbara County. SBSO Detectives immediately traveled to Arcadia where they took Martinez into custody and brought him to the Santa Barbara County Jail.

SBSO Detectives have linked Martinez to at least fourteen cases in Santa Barbara County alone. He’s believed to have stolen at least $50,000. No money was recovered during his arrest.

He faces charges of Fraud, Grand Theft, and Fiduciary Elder Abuse. He’s currently in the Santa Barbara County Jail on $50,000 bail. However, he will remain in jail on a no bail warrant in San Luis Obispo County. His arraignment is scheduled for Friday, July 17, 2009 in North Santa Barbara County.

If you or someone you know was a victim of Martinez and have not reported it, you are encouraged to contact SBSO Detective Charles Cooley at 805-934-6176.

Seniors increasingly targeted by abusers

By NICOLE C. BRAMBILA

THE DESERT SUN

JULY 18, 2009

Mom wasn’t always given a bath and was permitted to wear her pajamas in public. The caretaker, although a live-in, couldn’t always be found in the middle of the night for emergencies. Expensive jewelry, collected over a lifetime, went missing.

The abuse was apparent, but without a power of attorney over her elderly parents’ health care or executive power over the family trust, Kathleen Jonas felt helpless to do anything.

“It was a nightmare. I knew what was going down, but my big mistake was not going to the police. It didn’t occur to me,” said the Palm Desert resident, who has parents that require around-the-clock care.

Jonas’ story is far from unique.

Roughly, 200,000 California seniors are victims of elder abuse each year.

The National Center on Elder Abuse in Newark, Del., estimates that more than 1 million seniors suffer abuse or neglect each year.

Consumers are bilked of nearly $40 million every year in telemarketing scams, according to the U.S. Department of Justice. Seniors account for more than half of those scams.

Advocates say being proactive is the best defense.

“Trust your gut,” Walsh said. “That’s the bottom line. If you think something’s wrong, it probably is.”

Brooke County Man Charged With Elder Abuse

July 20, 2009

A man who police said was involved in the abduction of a Brooke County woman has been charged after he showed up at the nursing home where she lives.

David Matthews was arrested over the weekend on a felony count of abuse and neglect of an elder and incapacitated person.