26 June, 2009

An educational summit was held in Cupertino Thursday to train clergy members on how to look for signs of elder abuse.

According to the Mercury News, clergy members were added to a state list of “mandated reporters” five years ago and are required by law to report to authorities if they suspect abuse or neglect of seniors.

But despite the new law, organizers of the abuse summit say the problem is continuing to grow and that no reports of abuse have been filed by any clergy members in the county since then. Betty Malks, project director of the Elder Abuse and Neglect Initiative, says it is very important for churches to be educated about this issue because elders have the highest church attendance rates.

According to Malks, sixty to ninety percent of all cases involve family members. Malk says financial elder abuse is a hidden crime that often goes unreported. National statistics show only one in 100 cases are ever reported.

“That’s due to the shame and humiliation that’s involved with financial abuse especially if it’s in your family. You know, many people will say to me, ‘I didn’t raise my kids to do this,’” said Malks.

In Santa Clara County, Malks says 39 to 40 percent of all reports made to adult protective services involve elder abuse.

The Mercury News reports there are an estimated 700 churches, temples and mosques in the county. Malks hopes that by working with these faith-based organizations, more awareness will be spread about the problem.

A male carer at an Edinburgh nursing home carried out a serious sex assault on an infirm 76-year-old woman as she held on to her walking frame.

The distressed victim later told another employee that Joseph Sinja had “done things her husband wouldn’t do”.

Sinja, 32, admitted carrying out the attack on 26 April this year, when he appeared at the High Court in the city.

He is due to be sentenced later but THE Kenyan national was warned he could be deported.

Advocate depute Alex Prentice QC told the court: “The victim describes feeling dirty and sick as a result of the incident and that the accused had done something to her that her husband had never done.

“Her age makes the offence particularly distressing and embarrassing to her and any mention of it causes extreme upset,” he said.

The prosecutor told the court that the woman, who has suffered strokes, irregular heart rhythm and reduced mobility, remains at the home run by Edinburgh City Council, but is now treated by female carers only.

Sinja, who was allowed into Britain on a student visa, was employed as an assistant at the home through Family Circle Care Ltd, which provided the agency staff.

Abridged

SOURCE: BBC News, UK

By Associated Press

July 3, 2009

July is Elder Abuse Awareness month in Illinois.

Department on Aging Director Charles Johnson is announcing the fifth annual “Break the Silence” campaign.

An estimated 80,000 older adults suffer abuse each year.

Elder abuse is defined as neglect; physical injury; mental, sexual or financial exploitation of someone 60 or older.

There were more than 11,000 reports of elder abuse in the last year.

Those who suspect abuse should look for untreated injuries, changes in behavior, a caregiver’s refusal to allow visitors, dehydration or malnutrition, or changes in financial accounts.

Trained professional are available around the clock to take reports at 1-866-800-1409.