Welcome to the NYC Elder Abuse Center’s (NYCEAC) March 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.com or via our Twitter, Facebook, or LinkedIn.

NEWS

In the Media

Elder Abuse is Everyone’s Problem

In this Huff Post 50 article Richard W. Besdine, M.D., Medical Officer, American Federation for Aging Research, explains the basics of elder abuse, and what we need to do to help fight it.

Photo Courtesy of moodboardphotography

Blooming in Later Life

A NY Times article highlights older adults who have experienced success in later life. NYC Elder Abuse Center (NYCEAC) partner, Karl Pillemer, PhD is quoted saying “We absolutely have to revamp this idea of a linear pattern of accomplishment that ends when you’re 50 or 60… There are simply too many examples of people who bloom late, and it’s the most extraordinary time of their life.” This article is a great example of how to counter ageism and prevent elder abuse.

Harper Lee: Complexities of Capacity

Harper Lee’s new novel raised speculation and an investigation was opened to explore whether or not she had the capacity to consent to the publication of this new novel. Initial investigations concluded that Ms. Lee was not exploited; however, other organizations are still investigating to ensure that no undue influence was exerted.

Kayak Ad: Portraying Abuse as Comedy

This Huff Post 50 article spotlights a recent Kayak ad featuring a son using his mom’s chairlift while she struggles to climb the stairs. The ad has resulted in many negative reactions from reviewers who question whether the ad is comedic or making light of elder abuse.

Page Ulrey Photo Courtesy of: KUOW Photo, Ruby De Luna

Kings County DA Featured on Local Television Station

The Kings County District Attorney’s Elder Abuse Team was featured on the local television station. The video, which describes their work and provides two case examples, can be found in a Courier Herald article.

Financial Abuse Victim Turns Advocate

In the Columbus Dispatch, Ramona Wilson shares her story of losing hope after being financially abused until she met state investigator Dave Kessler who helped her pursue a criminal conviction and connect her with the local APS office. After her abuser was convicted, Ms. Wilson decided to travel across Ohio to tell her story.

California Shelter Network Opens

On March 1, a new shelter pilot program was launched in Orange County, California. The Orange County Register reports that a committee of county agencies worked together to launch the Elder Shelter Network, a program that reserves long term care beds in nursing homes across Orange county for abuse victims. These facilities will have staff who are able to support and care for the particular needs of elder abuse victims.

Miguel Alvarez and Maurice Rowland Photo Courtesy of: StoryCorps

Justice for Abandoned Assisted Living Residents

The Castro Valley care home abandonment was featured by StoryCorps when Maurice Rowland, a cook from the facility, and Miguel Alvarez, a janitor for the facility, shared their story of how they stayed to take care of fourteen residents after the staff and administration had abandoned them. The owner and administrator of that facility have now been charged with fourteen counts of elder abuse according to an article in the San Francisco Chronicle.

Intersections of Vulnerability: Gender and Age Discrimination

In this article from the Huffington Post, the intersection of age and gender discrimination is explored as it relates to the high rates of elder abuse older Indian women face. This discrimination leads to social isolation and neglect, especially when it comes to health care needs.

News from Alternative Media

3 Pension Traps to Avoid

The CFPB posted a blog entitled 3 Pension Traps to Avoid, which serves as a helpful resource for financial insecurity prevention in later life.

Photo Courtesy of: UN Women

UN spotlights Abuse of Older Women

The 59th session of the Commission on the Status of Women (CSW59) was held in NYC and focused on the 20th anniversary of the Fourth World Conference on Women and adoption of the 1995 Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action. Violence against older women was highlighted through the panel Older Women Count, Bringing Visibility to Violence against Older Women 20 years after Beijing. Speakers included Kathy Greenlee, Assistant Secretary for Aging, US Department of Health and Human Services, Ms. Maria Cristina Perceval, Permanent Representative of Argentina to the UN, Susan Markham, Senior Coordinator for Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, USAID, Daniela Ligiero, Vice President of Girls and Women Strategy, UN Foundation, and Kate Bunting, CEO, HelpAge USA.

Caregiving and Elder Abuse

The California Elder Justice Coalition’s (CEJC) Caregiving subcommittee has released CEJC Policy Brief: Preventing Abuse by Family Caregivers. It highlights the need for caregiver services, promoting caregiver assessments that identify caregivers’ needs and identify high risk situations, and holding abusive caregivers accountable.

RESOURCES

Reports, Videos & More

JEAN Special Issue

The Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect is inviting submissions for an upcoming Special Issue: Neglect, Abuse, and Violence Against Older Women with guest editors Elsie Yan and Patricia Brownell. Articles addressing the prevalence and measurement, risk factors and consequences, mediating and moderating mechanisms, major framework and changing perspectives, or prevention, assessment, and intervention should be submitted by April 30th, 2015.

Conferences, Trainings & Events

Photo Courtesy of: GSA

Careers in Aging Week

The annual Careers in Aging week will be held April 5-11th.Visit GSA’s website to learn more about the week and how you can become involved!

NYS WHCoA Survey

Association on Aging New York is hosting four surveys to gain feedback for the White House Conference on Aging. The four surveys address each of the four themes of the conference and will close April 15, 2015.

American Geriatrics Society Annual Meeting

The annual meeting of the American Geriatrics Society will be held May 15th-17th in National Harbor, MD. Register by April 10th to receive the early bird discount!

National Adult Protective Services Association Conference

Workshop Proposals

The National Adult Protective Services Association (NAPSA) invites you to submit workshop proposals for their 26th Annual Conference in Orlando, FL. The conference is attended by over 500 professionals in adult protective services, law enforcement, criminal justice, victim advocacy and beyond. For more information, click the following link: 2015 WORKSHOP PROPOSAL FORM. All proposals must be submitted online by April 17, 2015.

Employment Opportunities

Supervisor of Legal Programs

NYCEAC Partner, CONNECT, is looking for a supervisor of legal programs. The Supervisor of Legal Programs oversees all functions of the Legal Advocacy Program and supervises all program staff.To apply please email cover letter and resume to connect@connectnyc.org with “LAP Supervisor” in the subject line.