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 January and February 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
Justice Department Coordinates Nationwide Elder Fraud Sweep of More Than 250 Defendants
The United States Department of Justice announced the largest coordinated sweep of elder fraud cases in history. The costs of elder abuse are high for the affected individuals as well as our society. Let’s build strong support networks, educate each other, and support entities that spread awareness of the ways to prevent financial exploitation.
Warn Your Aging Parents: Vicious Phone Scammers May Call
Financial scams of older adults were featured in Forbes Magazine. “These criminals carefully select older people and anyone they consider vulnerable to their fake pressure. Your aging parents could be a target and scammers want to terrify them.” It is important to see financial elder abuse featured in popular publications.
From Whistleblower To Elder Champion
The Brooke Astor elder abuse scandal was featured in Financial Advisor, spotlighting Philip C. Marshall’s fight for elder justice. “Thanks to Philip, who prompted one of the most well-known court cases involving elder financial abuse in U.S. history, Brooke Astor will go down not only as a patron of the arts and a philanthropist, but as a lead player in the fight for elder justice. “ ‘The article also quotes NYCEAC Executive Director Risa Breckman: “Philip has amazing qualities. He is smart, compassionate and inquisitive, and he is in this for the long haul.”
Oscar Nominee’s Film Shines Light on Elder Abuse
“Edith+Eddie” is a 2018 Oscar-nominated documentary short film about America’s oldest interracial newlyweds. The screenwriter Thomas Lee Wright, describes how elder abuse becomes a subject within the film: “The first half of the film is a love story and you grow fond of these folks, and then things begin to go awry when third parties become involved in their well-being.” Weill Cornell Medicine’s NYC Elder Abuse Center and Liz Claiborne Center for Humanism in Medicine hosted a screening of the film in February, with 54 people in attendance.
Elder Abuse Laws Seen in Half of States
As a result of growing awareness of elder financial abuse, more states are addressing the problem legislatively. “About half of the states could end the year with laws on the books empowering and enlisting financial advisors in the fight against elder financial abuse.”
Research, Resources & Policy
Each Field Guide we feature a roundup of new and relevant resources, research and policy for elder justice practitioners.
An innovative, multidisciplinary emergency department–based intervention for elder abuse victims, the Vulnerable Elder Protection Team (VEPT), was developed at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Weill Cornell Medical Center.
New Resource on Guardianship Law from the American Bar Association (ABA)
The ABA released a new resource from the American Bar Association Commission on Law and Aging, Guardianship Law Practice. The resource includes state laws and policy, guardianship policy, jurisdiction, and a PRACTICAL Guide, among other resources.
New Video: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC)’s Scams And Identity Theft On Older Adults
The Department of Justice’s website features a video presentation with Lisa Schifferle, Attorney, Division of Consumer and Business Education at the FTC. Attorney Schifferle discusses scams and identity theft, looks at the latest trends, and gives tips and tools with a focus on the FTC’s Pass it On campaign.
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 January and February that confront ageism prejudices.
Cultures That Res
pect the Elderly Have Reduced Risks of Dementia
More reason to counter ageism: “New research published…in the Public Library of Science supports the idea that cultural constructs around how people perceive age contribute to the development of dementia. People who associate old age with uselessness or senility are more likely to develop dementia than people who associate it with positive attributes, such as wisdom and respect.”
“Wake Up! Don’t Be Sad, Now Is When You Have Energy Left!”
Leaders of national aging organizations have launched a new campaign, the Reframing Aging Campaign, based on studies and research conducted by the FrameWorks Institute.
Why It’s Just Fine to Fail at “Successful Aging”
Ashton Applewhite counters the idea that there is any right way to age: “The concept of ‘successful aging’ “leaves behind those who aren’t wealthy or healthy enough to age the “right” way, and it feeds the denial in which ageism takes root.”
AARP and Key Senators Urge Companies to End Age Bias in Recruiting on Facebook
“The largest advocacy group for older Americans and the two top members of the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging are calling on employers and tech companies to stop limiting recruitment ads on Facebook and other online sites to younger workers.”
When Old News Is Good News: The Effect of 6 Elderly New Yorkers on One Middle-Aged Reporter
A New York Times journalist followed the lives of six older adults over the past three years, and found: “The six became models for the challenges in my own life, living examples of resilience, gratitude and the wisdom that comes from living through ups and downs in history.”
Spending Time With Grandparents Makes Kids Less Prone To Ageism, Says Study
“A new study published in the journal Child Development found that children who have good relationships with their grandmas and grandpas are less likely to show bias towards older adults.”
Movies’ Ageism Can Actually Cause Harm
“Not only can movie portrayals of older people make it tougher for them to get and keep good jobs, inaccurate and ageist depictions of older people can also weigh on their health and morale.”
Conferences, Trainings & Events
Find upcoming events for elder justice professionals on our regularly updated online Events Calendar.
