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 for June and July 2018. 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
June 15th was World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). The National Center on Elder Abuse published a newsletter that features a summary of events that took place in honor of WEAAD. People everywhere pledged their support, gave presentations and so much more! Check out the stunning WEAAD Virtual Art Gallery that displays artistic representations of the aging process with one or all of the following themes: equality and justice, respect, empowerment, connections, engagement, community, and happiness.
Marvel Legend Stan Lee Victim of Elder Abuse
Marvel legend Stan Lee is involved in three lawsuits of alleged elder abuse. “Stan Lee may be the father of modern-day superheroes (at least in the all-powerful Marvel universe), but at 95 years old, he needs the type of help that only a conservator can provide.”
Unlicensed Care Home Facilities Pose Serious Potential Risks for Elder Abuse
“Michael Lepore, Ph.D., RTI senior health policy and health researcher and author of the report and his fellow researchers concluded that unlicensed care home facilities pose serious potential risks for seniors, and that individuals with mental illness and older adults with disabilities are particularly vulnerable to potential abuse.”
The Battle Against Financial Exploitation Is Far From Over Despite New Legislation
“The Senior Safe Act, modeled after Maine’s Senior$afe program, calls on financial institutions to train their employees on how to detect suspicious activity that might indicate elder abuse. If the financial institution trains its employees, the law also provides both a process on how to report concerns of suspicious activity and liability protections for those reporting it. The liability protections could empower some financial advisors to be more proactive, but basic business practice hurdles still remain for them.” This article highlights the obstacles still in place despite a positive change in legislation.
Research, Resources & Policy
Each Field Report, we feature a roundup of new and relevant resources, research and policy for elder justice practitioners.
Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC) Meeting Recap
The National Adult Protective Services Association, National Center for Victims of Crime and International Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse hosted the Fourth Global Summit in celebration of the 13th anniversary of World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. The Elder Justice Coordinating Council (EJCC) met and a video of the session can be viewed here. A blog recapping the topics discussed and other elder justice news can be read here.
Elder Justice Coalition Mid-Year Report
The Elder Justice Coalition released their 2018 Mid-Year Report which summarizes the legislative victories, activities, research, presentations, webinars and media features for the first half of the year.
NAPSA Research to Practice (“R2P”) Series
The National APS Resource Center, the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (NCPEA), and the National Council on Crime and Delinquency (NCCD) are working to incorporate findings from cutting-edge research into everyday APS practice with the Research to Practice (“R2P”) series. The R2P series includes webinars and documents to assist APS workers and administrators.
Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) Online Financial Exploitation Resources
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) has web resources to help those working with older adults or managing the finances of loved ones. Included are tools and resources for later-life financial security and protecting against fraud. Also included are reports and advisories that focus on key issues like the prevention of elder financial exploitation, planning for financial incapacity and Social Security.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission Office of the Investor Advocate released a report that tackles the issue of elder financial exploitation and what steps can be taken by regulators to help.
New Bank Resource Guide by the ABA Community Education Foundation (ABA Foundation)
This is a bank resource guide for partnering with law enforcement and Adult Protective Services by Safe Banking for Seniors and the ABA Foundation.
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 in June and July that confront ageism prejudices.
Ageism Stereotypes We’re Tired of Hearing
This is an article from the Huffington Post about the common ageist stereotypes and beliefs that plague our society. “This is the most age-segregated society that’s ever been,” Dr. Karl Pillemer said. “Vast numbers of younger people are likely to live into their 90s without contact with older people. As a result, young people’s view of aging is highly unrealistic and absurd.”
U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC): Ageism Persists In The Workplace
“Age discrimination remains a significant and costly problem for workers, their families, and our economy,” Lipnic wrote in a preamble to the report. “Age-diverse teams and workforces can improve employee engagement, performance, and productivity. Experienced workers have talent that our economy cannot afford to waste.”
Intergenerational Programs Breaking Ageism Barriers
“Shared sites can create new environments to confront ageism, break down the barriers of age-segregation and forge long-lasting and life-changing intergenerational bonds,” the report said. “Intergenerational programs bring purpose to the lives of young and old.”
The Subtle and Not-So-Subtle Force of Ageism in Recruitment
This Exit Interview (series of conversations about leaving one’s career) article with Gordon Rothman, a former CBS multimedia producer, follows the aftermath of an unexpected layoff. The article provides an inside perspective to the ageism and age discrimination still prevalent in recruiting.
Conferences, Trainings & Events
Find upcoming events for elder justice professionals on our regularly updated online Events Calendar.
an interesting article, I agree with the second one and support it on this issue, I am sure that for many this is an important topic