Welcome to the NYC Elder Abuse Center’s (NYCEAC) news and resource roundup blog, The Field Guide. We’ve selected and analyzed pertinent articles and resources relevant to elder justice professionals from June to July 2019. If you would like to share a news item or resource with us, please contact us at info@nyceac.com or via our Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn profiles.
Trending Topics In the News
Health Workers Still Aren’t Alerting Police About Likely Elder Abuse, Reports Find
Workers in nursing homes, hospital ERs and other health facilities are required by law to notify police whenever they notice likely signs of physical or sexual abuse. But that’s often not happening according to these new reports.
DOJ Establishes Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force
“One of the most significant and pernicious causes for this [fraud] increase is foreign-based fraud schemes. The new Transnational Elder Fraud Strike Force will bring together the expertise and resources of our prosecutors, federal and international law enforcement partners, and other agencies to better target, investigate, and prosecute criminals abroad who prey on our elderly at home. The Department of Justice is committed to ending the victimization of elders across the country.” – Att. Gen. William Barr
One Way To Keep LA Seniors Safe From Abuse: An Active Social Life
“Cultivating social relationships is probably the most effective – and the most inexpensive, by the way – intervention, not only to prevent elder abuse, but to improve the quality of life for older people, irrespective of the medical conditions they face,” said Dr. Mark Lachs, the Chief Medical Officer for the New York City Elder Abuse Center.
NPR:Eradicating Elder Abuse Is Everyone’s Responsibility
“…we must also recognize our collective responsibility for addressing elder mistreatment. Together, we can all build a strong and stable society that protects and empowers older adults” states Terry Fulmer, President, The John A. Hartford Foundation and author of this terrific article that highlights several elder justice initiatives and resources to the ongoing effort to eradicate elder abuse.
Family, Friends, And Neighbors Are At The Heart (And The Heart) Of Elder Justice
The grandson of an elder abuse victim, elder justice advocate Philip Marshall, shares his illumined perspective on why the elder justice field should engage family, friends and neighbors assisting elder abuse victims and offer supportive services to them.
Research, Resources & Policy
In each Field Guide, we feature a roundup of new and relevant resources, research and policy for elder justice practitioners.
ACL Launches Online Hub Of Elder Justice Resources
The Administration for Community Living (ACL) is making it easier for the public and professionals to access critical information about elder justice from their resource centers. The website serves as a gateway to seven ACL resource centers which disseminate information to professionals and the public; collaborate on research; and provide technical assistance and training to professionals, states, and community-based organizations.
Elder Justice Neighborhood Map
The Elder Justice Initiative created an Elder Justice Neighborhood Map to search and learn about the neighborhood of resources involved in elder abuse cases. Select your state from the drop down and you’ll be connected to information on different services such as your local APS, legal aid, counseling, and sexual assault/domestic violence programs.
Reframing The Conversation On Elder Abuse
Frameworks and the National Center on Elder Abuse (NCEA) has renewed FREE access (coupon code: WEAAD2020) to the online video lecture series on how to effectively reframe public communications about elder abuse. These videos are a professional training product on how to communicate more powerfully about elder abuse as a social policy issue. This course will now be free until June 30, 2020!
2019 Update On Advisory For Financial Exploitation Prevention
Banks and credit unions are uniquely positioned to detect financial abuse. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) released an update to their 2016 Advisory for financial institutions on preventing and responding to elder financial exploitation.
GAO Releases New Elder Justice Report
The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) released in June 2019 a new report entitled, Elder Justice: Goals and Outcome Measures Would Provide DOJ (Department of Justice) with Clear Direction and a Means to Assess Its Efforts. This report adds to GAO’s prior work on elder justice.
OIG Releases Two Reports On Elder Abuse
The Department of Health and Human Services Office of Inspector General released two reports addressing the identification, reporting, and investigation of potential abuse and neglect of seniors and beneficiaries with disabilities.
Countering Ageism
Elder abuse has roots in ageism. NYCEAC is committed to changing the way aging is perceived. For more information about ageism and to view additional resources, please visit our Countering Ageism webpage. These are some of the items we read that confront ageism prejudices.
Judith Viorst, the author of iconic children’s book, Alexander and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Very Bad Day, says she has never loved her life more than she does now. She’s also almost 90. Check out her advice on how to love life at any age.
Youths! Go Listen To Your Elders!
“I feel certain that many Americans of all ages would be happy to talk more with their older neighbors, if only they knew how important those conversations were to older adults.” – Spencer Morgan, author. Reducing social isolation can reduce the risk of elder abuse in older adults.
Nursing Home Set Up A Slip ‘N Slide For Residents Because Fun Knows No Age
A senior living community in Ohio set up a bonafide Slip ‘N Slide for their inhabitants in honor of Senior Health and Wellness Day. You’re never too old to have a little fun!
70-Year-Old Youtuber Redefines Aging Beauty
One of South Korea’s hottest YouTube stars, Park Makrye, is a 70-year-old grandmother who is redefining aging beauty with her cool, undaunted style and hilarious videos.
Conferences, Webinars, Trainings & Events
Find upcoming events for elder justice professionals on our regularly updated online Events Calendar.
– By NYCEAC’s Elder Justice Dispatch Team
