This blog features a round up of elder justice related news items released in November 2013.

NATIONAL NEWS

How to Keep a Parent Safe from Financial Abuse

Forbes interviews the co-author of “The Crown of Life Society”, a novel that aims to teach the public about various ways older people are exploited. The novel was written by Frank Johns, Jr., past president of the National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys, and William R. Henry, Jr.

Elder Care Includes Money Management

A study by the MetLife Mature Market Institute and the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse reports that losses due to financial exploitation of older people are estimated to be $2.9 billion. Claudia Buck of the Sacramento Bee provides tips and resources on managing the finances of older adults.

Some States Now Allowing Long-Term Care Residents to Maintain Cameras in their Rooms

Oklahoma has become the third state, along with New Mexico and Texas, to allow residents in long-term care facilities to maintain private surveillance cameras in their rooms. This has raised questions about liability and privacy rights from facility owners, elder care experts and families. These cameras, which are often placed in plants, radios and cell phones, have captured scenes of abuse in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Texas.

Senate Special Committee on Aging Creates New Anti-Fraud Hotline

The U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging has established a fraud hotline for older adults. The hotline provides advice and referrals, and also helps the committee find fraud trends. The hotline can be reached at 1-855-303-9470 on weekdays.

STATE AND LOCAL NEWS (NEW YORK STATE AND NEW YORK CITY)

New York Governor signs Bill To Educate Older Adults on Elder Abuse

In October, New York State Governor Cuomo signed an amendment to a NYS law expanding the definition of naturally occurring retirement community supportive service programs to include education about elder abuse and exploitation. The intention of the law is to increase awareness of elder abuse among residents of Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities (NORCs) and Neighborhood NORCs.

NYCEAC AND PARTNERS IN THE NEWS

NYCEAC’s 14 Days of Thanks Campaign

There is only one day left to go in our 14 Days of Thanks campaign to honor the older adults in our lives. We have received over thirty submissions and a thousand views, as well as a hundred likes on Facebook. We’ve also had great multigenerational participation, with our Risk & Resiliency Internship Program intern alums soliciting submissions from their Cornell peers. Stay tuned for a full feature blog post on #14DaysThanks. It’s not too late to send in a submission!

Doormen To Be Trained to Spot Elder Abuse

With many buildings housing growing numbers of older residents, a new program by the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Center for Elder Abuse Prevention at the Hebrew Home in Riverdale aims to train doormen to spot signs of elder abuse through on-site training and assistance throughout New York City.

RELATED STORIES

A Round-Up of Elder Justice News – October 2013
A Round-Up of Elder Justice News – September 2013

by Aries Dela Cruz, Social Media Associate, NYCEAC