Two Charged in Elderly Abuse Case (GA. USA)

Two Charged in Elderly Abuse Case (GA. USA)

Aug 12, 2009

By Antwan Harris

Dalton veterans we spoke with say they were disgusted to hear a 73-year-old, disabled veteran had been locked in his basement for nearly 14 hours by people he trusted.

Police said the senior citizen’s caretakers, 33-year-old Crystal Bryant and a 26-year-old woman, are now being charged with elderly abuse and theft.

Back on June 24, the man’s landlord went to collect past due rent when he discovered the victim locked in the room behind a door in his home off West Field Drive in Dalton.

“There are always opportunist that will take advantage of anybody if they get the chance,” said Edward Kinney. “There are people out there who don’t care who they go after.”

The man had been staying in the home for at least two months after leaving an assisted living facility.

Police said on several accounts, the elderly man would give the two women gas money for errands, but they would never return.

Larry Stewart said the VFW hall he attends reaches out to local veterans to make sure cases like this don’t happen again.

“We need to let these people know that we will look after them if they have a problem and that is what we are here for,” said Stewart.

The two say the abused man had never been through their post in Dalton, but said most disabled veterans around the abused man’s age don’t seek professional help from fear of being victims of clinical abuse.

But in this case, is was the caretakers at home who mistreated him.

The two are being charged with abuse of an elder and theft.

SOURCE: WRCB-TV
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Elder Abuse Can Happen Anywhere

SHADES OF GRAY: Elder abuse can happen anywhere

By AGNES HERMAN

For the North County Times

August 12, 2009

The shame of elder abuse does not diminish; it simply escalates. A recent news release from Susan Reichel, registered nurse and president/CEO of Advanced Home Health Services in San Diego, points out that an estimated 2 million elder Americans suffer abuse: physical, mental, financial. It can occur at home or in a facility. The abuser can be a family member or a hired caregiver.

The situation threatens to worsen; the Census Bureau estimates that by 2030, 1 in 5 citizens will be 65 or older, and by 2050, the 85-plus group will have tripled.

we should recognize these signs of abuse and make it our business to check them out.

Some clues to look for:

— Unexplained injuries: bruises, scratches, fractures.

— Serious and persistent bed sores, signs of improper nursing care.

— Persistent or chronic infections —- more signs of improper care.

— Sudden or chronic weight loss; is food being withheld?

— Unsanitary living conditions, linens not changed, clutter ignored.

— Increasing dehydration; is water being withheld?

— Sexual abuse: unusual bleeding, suspicious injuries, STDs.

— Repeated wandering; patients who have dementia or Alzheimer’s disease may not be monitored correctly.

— Excessive costs, financial fraud, overcharging on medical bills, etc.

Financial scams and fraud are insidious forms of elder abuse that require alertness and special precautions. These tips were suggested by “Seniors and the Law: A guide for Maturing Californians” from the California Bar Association:

— Beware of “fake charities.” Call the Better Business Bureau or Attorney General’s office if you are suspicious. Ask door-to-door solicitors for a business permit or registration, or just say firmly, “No, thank you.”

— Be wary of get-rich-quick schemes. Never invest before you investigate. Don’t hesitate to call the Department of Corporations at 866-275-2677.


Abridged
SOURCE: North County Times
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Health Care Worker’s Theft Shines Light on Elder Abuse (OH. USA)

Background checks can prevent exploitation

BY JESSICA CUFFMAN

THE MARION STAR

AUGUST 9, 2009

The daughter of an elderly theft victim said her family was devastated when a home health care worker stole more than $3,000 from her mother. And she wants to make sure it doesn’t happen to anyone else.

Michele Stokes was emotional at a sentencing hearing for Lora Huffine, a woman who cashed a check sent to Stokes’ mother’s home — money that was for her mother’s health care.

Huffine, 40, of Ashley, was sentenced to two years community controlled sanctions, 20 days in jail, and was banned from working in home health care anywhere as part of her punishment.

But because she wasn’t a licensed worker and was found through an advertisement Stokes collected from an agency where it was just posted, she fears it could happen again to someone else.


(Please go to Source for Tips on Prevention of Exploitation and Abuse)

Abridged
SOURCE: The Marion Star
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Tips to Portect Senior Citizens from Elder Abuse Identity Theft (USA)

Tips to protect senior citizens from elder abuse identity theft

August 9,

Houston Family Examiner

BY Lisa Carey

There are far too many sad, but true crime stories of seniors and the elderly being abused, whether physically, emotionally, mentally or financially.

What can you do to protect yourself or your elderly loved ones?

  • Stay educated about identity theft, recent identity theft scams, identity theft laws, your rights, remedies and so on. Here’s a great list of resources to check out and save.
  • Trusted Sources for Helpful Information on Protecting Yourself from Identity Theft: AARP, the American Association of Retired Persons offers tips through their magazine and their website.
  • IDtheft.gov is the federal government’s website resource.
  • The non-profit organization, Identity Theft Resource Center, has information on their website, , as well as a toll free number, 1 (888) 400-5530.
  • The US Department of Justice

· Visit this website to learn more about the Older Americans Act,
If you’re not internet savvy, your local library can assist you with internet research.

Many seniors have carried their social security card and number around for decades and it is a hard habit to break but seniors need to understand that today the practice simply isn’t smart or safe. Medicare card numbers put seniors at risk too. Instead seniors can leave their cards secured at home and instead carry a copy of their Medicare card with them, with the SSN blacked out. This will help you get the medical treatment you need in case of emergency and but still keep your information safe in case of a theft. Hospitals will not deny treatment based on carrying a copy of your Medicare card. The real card can be presented later.

Abridged
SOURCE: The Houston Examiner, TX. USA
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Presentation Deals With Financial Elder Abuse and Fraud (CA. USA)

The Times-Standard

08/11/2009

Local attorney Maggi Draper will present the “Educating Seniors Project” from 10 to 11:30 a.m. Thursday at the Humboldt Senior Resource Center, 1910 California St.

Because financial elder abuse is on the rise, this informative presentation is relevant to protecting yourself and your loved ones from fraud, abuse and overzealous companies that push products and services on older adults. It’s an opportunity to receive straightforward advice from a knowledgeable legal source.

Draper will show a 20-minute video followed by a short presentation, and then will open the floor for a question-and-answer session. Individuals working in the senior service field are welcome and encouraged to attend this important event.

While the presentation is free, space is limited and those interested are encouraged to call in advance and reserve a spot. Call Jessica Osborne-Stafsnes at 443-9747, ext. 1228.

SOURCE: Times Standard, CA, USA
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Report Spurred New Effort to Track and Treat Elder Abuse and Neglect (NY, USA)

After 34,000 Cases of Elder Abuse New Effort to Track & Treat Problem

Mary’s son wanted to dump her in a “depressing, terrible” place to live. He wouldn’t listen to what Mary wanted.

Fortunately, she found shelter from the abuse.

And “Herbie” – not his real name – , 64, incapacitated and unable to work since a serious car accident at 23, had his life savings drained by a younger wife. He, too, found shelter from the abuse.

Calling elder abuse “the silent epidemic among us,” state Sen. Jeffrey Klein (D-Bronx-Westchester) released a report citing more than 34,000 cases of abuse in New York State in 2008.

At the same time, Klein called on the Assembly to pass his elder abuse tracking and reporting bill, which passed the Senate 56 to 0 in July.

Although the term has been in use for several years now, there is no clear definition of elder abuse, and no clear consensus on at what age people become “elderly.”

The abuse itself, according to Klein’s report, can take the form of physical, sexual, and financial exploitation, as in Herbie’s case; emotional abuse, as in Mary’s, or neglect and abandonment.

Currently, there are seven agencies in New York that track elder abuse in some manner. Klein’s bill would have all tracking go through the state Office of Children and Family Services, which umbrellas the city’s Adult Protective Services Program.

Abridged

SOURCE: Voiz Neias. Com

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‘Despicable’ Elder Abuses Deserve Longer Sentences: Cop (CANADA)

‘Despicable’ abuses deserve longer sentences: Cop

By MEGAN GILLIS, BETH JOHNSTON

SUN MEDIA

12th August 2009

A detective with the Ottawa Police elder abuse unit was disappointed Daniel Jacques Chartrand will spend less time in jail than it took for her to put together the case against him.

Det. Christina Wolf is happy the federal and provincial governments are paying attention to the problem of elder abuse, particularly what’s known as financial abuse. But she believes there should be a charge of elder abuse in the Criminal Code which prosecutors could add to charges such as theft by power or attorney to reflect the seriousness of this growing problem.

“His honour went above and beyond the precedent that had already been set which is admirable and fitting, but it is still nowhere near where I think it should have gone,” Wolf said after the sentencing Tuesday.

Between January 2005 and 2009, the Ottawa police elder abuse unit had investigated 468 cases, made 57 arrests and laid 623 charges.

The two officers in charge of the unit expect those numbers to grow exponentially.

“I said to my husband, ‘Don’t ever put me in a home,’” said Wolf, who, along with Det. Brenda McGillvray, runs the elder abuse unit.

The abuse old people are suffering takes many different forms. Either they’re being manipulated financially, neglected and left without bathing or changing their clothes, or physically assaulted.

Abridged
SOURCE: The Ottawa Sun
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