Care-Taker Arrested in Death of Elderly Man (CA. USA)

Care-Taker Arrested in Death of Elderly Man (CA. USA)

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.

Abridged
SOURCE: San Jose Mercury News
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Some Symptoms of Nursing Home Neglect

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.

(Please go to SOURCE for full-text.)
Abridged
SOURCE: The Critter Zone
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As Economy Worsens, Swindling of Elders Increases (WA. USA)

As economy worsens, swindling of elders increases

By Michelle Singletary

July 16, 2009

Fraud is bad enough, but when you have family members or caregivers who are financially abusing their elderly relatives or patients, that’s downright despicable.

And yet, in most of the cases of elder financial abuse, the perpetrators are not strangers. Family, friends, neighbors and caregivers are the culprits in 55 percent of the cases, according to a report, “Broken

Trust: Elders, Family, and Finances, “ released by the MetLife Mature Market Institute. The report was produced in conjunction with the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse and Virginia Tech University.

Law enforcement and securities officials say the recession is pushing more people to steal from well-off seniors.

For more information, go to www.nasaa.org and search for “Senior Investor Resource Center.’’

To report elder abuse you can contact an Adult Protective Services office atwww.apsnetwork.org.

“This type of crime just sets me off,’’ Joseph said. “You get victims who are in their 70s and 80s being taken for their life savings. What do they do? They can’t earn it back.’’

If you suspect a senior is being exploited, report it – even if the suspected scoundrel is a family member.

(Please go to SOURCE for full-text; and more prevention tips)

Abridged
SOURCE: HeraldNet – Everett,WA,USA
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