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 August, September and October 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
Phillip Marshall Champions Elder Abuse Postage Stamp
Elder justice advocate Phillip Marshall has joined with other advocates and legislators to introduce the Stamp Out Elder Abuse Act in both the House and Senate this past October. The legislation directs the United States Postal Service to develop the semi-postal stamp and use the proceeds from its sales to provide funding to augment the elder justice initiatives at both the Administration on Aging in the Department of Health and Human Services and at the Department of Justice.
Rutgers Receives 1.4 Million in Grants to Fund Elder Abuse Research
“Rutgers’ Institute of Health, Healthcare Policy and Aging Research School of Aging has received approximately $1.4 million in federal grants. Funding will be directed toward protection of elders with debilitating diseases, such as Alzheimer’s, or those who could be subject to neglect, abuse and financial exploitation with the goal enhancing services in elder communities and launching studies on how to reduce the likelihood of elder abuse.”
Monumental Elder Justice Victory in New York State
“Governor Andrew M. Cuomo announced $8.4 million in state and federal funding to improve and expand services for vulnerable adults at risk of abuse, neglect or financial exploitation. The initiative will fund and support 23 existing multidisciplinary teams currently targeting elder abuse and establish additional teams with the goal of serving every county in the state by the fall of 2020.”
Nassau County MDT is Rolling Out!
Nassau County District Attorney Office has rolled out Long Island’s first ever Multi-Disciplinary Team. The team will be a model for other counties to follow as they work to tackle elder abuse.
Marvel Legend Stan Lee Speak Out for the First Time!
Marvel Icon Stan Lee speaks out for the first time in an interview with TheDaily Beast about elder abuse allegations and rumors. “There really isn’t that much drama. As far as I’m concerned, we have a wonderful life.” Read the full interview to learn more.
Research, Resources & Policy
Each Field Report, we feature a roundup of new and relevant resources, research and policy for elder justice practitioners.
NCEA Elder Justice Policy Highlights
The National Center on Elder Abuse in partnership with other elder justice organizations released their Elder Justice Policy Highlights from February to August 2018. Learn more about elder justice legislation in over 20 states.
Paying it Back: Promoting Justice for LGBT Communities of All Ages Fact Sheet
One of three fact sheets created by a conglomerate of elder justice organizations, the “Paying it Back: Promoting Justice for LGBT Communities of All Ages” sheet teaches you how to take part in building and maintaining the supportive structures that promote justice, while preventing and addressing isolation and elder abuse in LGBT communities.
National Indigenous Elder Justice Initiative Online Interactive Educational Module – Healthcare
This online interactive healthcare module (NIEJI) was developed to train healthcare providers working with Native older adults on factors for recognizing, identifying, and reporting suspected elder abuse and neglect.
Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes Webinar Recap
In case you missed the “Sexual Abuse in Nursing Homes: What You Need to Know” webinar, The National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care (formerly NCCHNR) released the issue brief which includes signs to look out for, what to do if you suspect sexual abuse is taking place, and additional resources for victims and concerned persons.
Sexual Assault Response Team Toolkit
The National Sexual Violence Resource Center released their Sexual Assault Response Team (SART) Toolkit includes an entire section at the bottom of the resource dedicated to elder abuse victims. This website has many documents, guides, and resources for assisting older adults who have been a victim of sexual assault.
FTC Older Consumer Congress Report
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) released their 2017-2018 “Protecting Older Consumers” Report to Congress in October. The report includes how the FTC is developing effective strategies to protect older consumers, FTC enforcement activities that impact older consumers, and FTC outreach and educational services.
Elder Abuse Guide for Law Enforcement
The Elder Abuse Guide for Law Enforcement (EAGLE) is a national web module designed to support officers in identifying, intervening, and resolving cases of elder abuse. The resource includes information and on different types of elder abuse, important guides for law enforcement and additional national elder abuse resources.
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 August, September and October that confront ageism prejudices.
Quinnipiac University Students Participate in a Residence Program at Masonicare Retirement Home
Quinnipiac University is countering ageism through their Masonicare-Quinnipiac University Students in Residence Program, in which students live at Masonicare at Ashlar Village, a retirement community in Wallingford. “This place was more full of life than many of my college classrooms,” said Victoria Kozar, among the first students to participate in the program.“ My other friends wanted to spend more time there than anywhere else.” Learn more about this incredible program and the impact intergenerational learning and cohabitation can have on bridging the age gap.
We are proud to see “Halloween” actress Jamie Lee Curtis star in the biggest debut ever for a movie with a female lead over 55 years old. Curtis shares: “The thing that I took away from the movie was depth, emotion, and emotional complexity. When it comes to trauma, how does it manifest? How does it manifest in a family? How does it isolate you? How does it distance you from people? I thought all of that was great. So, to me, it’s not just a grandma looking cute.”
Bridging the Ageism Gap One Pumpkin Spice Latte at a Time
Coffee giant Starbucks leads by example and counters ageism by opening a location entirely run by employees 55 and over. “They treat us with a lot of respect and courtesy,” senior staff member Sergio Arrioja told Reuters about the younger employees. “I think we’ve formed a very interesting bond, and at the end of the day, it’s a productive job for everyone.”
AARP Steps Up to Cut Down on Ageism in the Workforce
AARP counters ageism by enlisting the help of former Ad Executive Cindy Gallop to “cut down on the discrimination that older Americans could face particularly in the workforce.”
The return of Linda Hamilton as Sarah Connor in the upcoming third sequel to James Cameron’s Terminator 2: Judgment Day is reason to applaud. “At 61, the actress is one of the oldest female action heroes appearing in a major studio movie, a rarity for women compared to men…This is a landmark moment, yes, but it doesn’t mean we should get complacent about the rate at which anti-ageist progress in Hollywood is taking place. Sarah Connor is an iconic character, but she isn’t a new character.”
Conferences, Trainings & Events
Find upcoming events for elder justice professionals on our regularly updated online Events Calendar.
