Welcome to the NYC Elder Abuse Center’s (NYCEAC) August 2015 roundup of the latest in elder justice news & resources. We’ve selected and analyzed the most helpful articles and resources relevant to elder justice professionals. If you would like to share a news item or resource with us, please contact us at info@nyceac.org or via our Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

NEWS      

In the Media

 

Vanishing Retirement: the Hidden Epidemic of Financial Exploitation

US News and World Report highlights the increase of elder financial abuse, noting the dire effects on abused seniors as their retirement savings are lost.

Pension advance firms cheat retirees -U.S. lawsuit

According to Reuters, U.S. regulators have filed a lawsuit accusing two companies of preying on retirees and military veterans by advancing high-cost loans disguised as pension advances, jeopardizing victims’ retirement savings. The lawsuit against Pension Funding LLC and Pension Income LLC was brought by the U.S. Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and the New York State Department of Financial Services.

Center for Prevention of Abuse’s First Male Victim

As reported by Pekin Daily Times, a new case study from the Center for Prevention of Abuse demonstrates that abuse is not gender specific.  Both policy and practice are now shifting as old stereotypes regarding gender and abuse are being dismantled by current research.

 News from Alternative Media

Elder Financial Abuse on the Rise: What Financial Institutions Can do to Address Increasing Regulatory Scrutiny Designed to Protect At-Risk Customers

This article from Paul Hastings, lays clear the current landscape of elder financial abuse as it relates to financial institution’s obligations, regulations, and opportunities.

Financial Abuse of Older Adults: AARP and American Bankers Association Foundation Partner to Tackle Growing Problem

AARP and the ABA Foundation are jointly developing materials for banks, people 50 and older and family caregivers to prevent financial fraud and exploitation. The joint effort will focus on three areas of what AARP calls age-friendly banking: preventing fraud; helping family caregivers who manage finances; and protecting people with dementia.  Learn more about this collaboration by clicking here.

RESOURCES

Reports, Videos & More

NY State Resource Includes Help for Elder Abuse

The Advocate Program provides confidential response and support for survivors of rape, sexual assault, domestic violence, family violence and elder abuse – 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Learn more here.

Managing Someone Else’s Money Guides for Financial Caregivers in Virginia

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has created a series of guides specific to the state of Virginia called, Managing Someone Else’s Money. They are easy-to-understand booklets for different types of caregivers.  These state guides will make it easier for caregivers to follow Virginia’s unique rules and to find help close to home. CFPB plans to release guides for other states as well.  View the guides here.

Pass it on 

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has created videos, presentations, articles, and activities to help consumers share information on scams and identity theft.  View the free resources here.

Don’t Fall for New Tax Scam Tricks by IRS Posers

The IRS advises you to stay alert to protect yourself against new ways criminals pose as the IRS to trick you out of your money or personal information.  Learn more and view educational videos here.

Newly Released Guidelines for Reporting Financial Abuse and Request for Customer Records

Philadelphia Corporation for Aging and the National Adult Protective Services Association are pleased to release the National Guidelines to Implement the 2013 Federal Interagency Guidance on Privacy Laws and Reporting Financial Abuse of Older Adults along with the Official Requests for Customer Records. The Guidelines and the Form were released at the First World Elder Abuse Awareness Summit on June 15, 2015 at the Securities and Exchange Commission designed to promote standardization and clarity among financial institutions and Adult Protective Services.  Learn more here.

Conferences, Trainings & Events

National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) Annual Conference

The theme of this year’s NAPSA conference is, APS: Providing Help and Hope to Vulnerable Adults. The conference will be held September 29 – October 1, 2015. It will be followed by their 6th Annual Summit on Elder Financial Exploitation on October 2, 2015. For more information and to register, please visit the NAPSA website.

Elder Abuse Training for Prosecutors

The National Institute on the Prosecution of Elder Abuse (NIPEA) will be held on November 10-13, 2015 in Denver, CO. This course will be hosted by AEquitas: The Prosecutors’ Resource for Violence Against Women and is open to prosecutors only. NIPEA is designed to provide substantive knowledge and practical skills to prosecute cases of elder abuse.  Curriculum topics include an overview of elder abuse including the dynamics prevalent in these cases, interviewing older witnesses and victims, competence and capacity, typical defense justifications, ethics and professionalism, Crawford and its progeny, and sentencing. For further information, please contact Christina Supinski, Communication and Operations Manager, at csupinski@aequitasresource.org.

Employment Opportunities

NYC Elder Abuse Center (NYCEAC) is seeking a Social Media Assistant

The NYC Elder Abuse Center is seeking a part-time consultant for the role of Social Media Assistant. Please click here to view the full job description and contact Cara Kenien at cak2017@med.cornell.edu with questions and/or to apply.

The New York Asian Women’s Center (NYAWC) Seeks FT Elder Abuse Outreach Specialist- Korean Speaking

The Elder Abuse Outreach Specialist role is comprised of two focus areas: (1) community outreach and (2) education.  Click here to view the job listing on Idealist.

The New York Asian Women’s Center (NYAWC) FT Counselor Advocate- Cantonese Speaking- later In Life 

This individual will be specializing in elder abuse survivors aged 60 and above across the 5 boroughs. The Counselor Advocate will help to ensure that all clients receive prompt and professional services. They will provide survivors with counseling, crisis intervention, advocacy, home visits, information and referrals to available resource. Click here to view the job listing on Idealist.

RELATED STORIES

News & Resources Roundup – June 2015
News & Resources Roundup – July 2015