Nurses ignored me, says patient

An elderly Dundee woman, who has been battling a rare form of terminal cancer for four years, has hit out at the “lack of care” she received at Ninewells Hospital after her latest hip operation (writes Kirsten Johnson).

The 72-year-old former nurse, who asked not to be named, underwent surgery to replace a hip joint.

The pensioner’s health was already a cause for the concern before the operation and on the advice of her consultant she was sent to Ninewells —rather than her first choice, Stracathro Hospital — because of the levels of expertise and aftercare available.

However, the woman, who has leukaemia, claims the nursing staff “left her to her own devices” and that she was forced to clean her own wound for fear of infection.

Maggie Simpson, NHS Tayside director of nursing for the delivery unit, apologised for the situation. “We are sorry this patient has raised concerns about her care and I am more than happy to discuss any issues,” she said.

She added, “She can also contact the complaints and advice Team on 0800 027 5507.”

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.”

By NANCY FOSTER

New Hampshire Union Leader Correspondent

July 18, 2009

Police are investigating concerns about possible elder abuse at a local nursing home involving an 87-year-old man who died last Friday.

According to police Chief Frederick Douglas, detectives were called to the Southern New Hampshire Medical Center on June 28 to investigate concerns raised by staff at the hospital about the condition of the man’s wounds. Investigators will try to determine whether neglect contributed to the death, Douglas said.

The man, whom Douglas refused to identify for reasons of privacy, was a resident at The Elms, a nursing home on Elm Street run by SunBridge Healthcare Corp., based in Rochester, N.Y.

By Charles D. Johnson

Director, Illinois Department on Aging

July is Elder Abuse Awareness Month in Illinois. During the month of July, communities across Illinois will sponsor events to shed light on the growing and tragic issue of elder abuse.

Your readers, young and old, should be aware that the U.S. Administration on Aging estimates as many as 3.5 million older Americans are abused each year.

And this is only the tip of the iceberg since only one in five cases of elder abuse is ever reported to authorities.

In an effort of preventing elder abuse and neglect, the Illinois Department on Aging is launching its annual public awareness and education campaign, called “Break the Silence.”

Please support these efforts by printing this letter which includes steps we should all take to prevent elder abuse and neglect.

To fight elder abuse:

1. Regularly call or visit an elderly loved one to ask how he or she is doing.

2. Provide a respite break for a caregiver.

3. Ask your bank manager to train tellers on how to detect elder financial abuse.

4. Ask your doctor to ask all senior patients about possible family violence in their lives.

5. Ask your local senior center to present a program on elder abuse.

6. Organize a “Respect Your Elders” essay or poster contest in your child’s school.

7. Ask your religious congregation’s leader to give a talk about elder abuse at a service or to put a message about elder abuse in the bulletin.

8. Volunteer to be a friendly visitor to a nursing home resident or to a homebound senior in your neighborhood.

9. Learn the warning signs of abuse – for more information, visit the Illinois Department on Aging website at: http://www.state.il.us/aging/ or contact your local Elder Abuse Provider Agency to ask about elder abuse.

10. Call the state’s 24 hour Elder Abuse Hotline at (866) 800-1409, if you or someone you know is a victim of elder abuse. Trained professionals are prepared to help.

Thank you for helping to keep our seniors safe.

Tributes to Bracken Bank attack victim

14th July 2009

By Lisa Campbell

Tributes have been paid to an elderly woman who died following a serious assault in Bracken Bank.

Minnie Keat, 86, died in Airedale Hospital on Sunday following an attack the previous Monday.

Her son Barry Keat, 58, from Keighley, has been charged with wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. Mrs Keat was described as a frail but “lovely” person who would do “anything for anybody”.

Mr Keat appeared before Bradford magistrates last Wednesday and was remanded in custody.

He is due to appear before Bradford Crown Court this Thursday via a video link from prison.