Spotlight on Elder Abuse

Police Investigating Investment Scam Against Seniors (CA. USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:57:00 +0000

By DEEPA BHARATH

The Orange County Register

November 11, 2009

The Garden Grove Police Department is looking for victims of an investment fraud scheme that may have targeted senior citizens in the community.

Police consider this an elder abuse case because they have received complaints from several local seniors, said Garden Grove police Lt. Travis Whitman. He said further investigation of the complaints have revealed that the fraud could involve many others who are unaware that they have been victims or have not yet filed a crime report with the police department.

Police are warning residents, especially senior citizens, about Pomona resident Jerry E. Benson, owner of Ben-Wal Leasing and Ben-Wal Management. A U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission complaint filed on Aug. 26 alleges that Benson, since 1990, has been offering and selling investments guaranteeing annual returns of 12 percent and making false claims that investors have earned annual returns of 18 percent.

Benson was not available for comment.

Whitman said Benson has not yet been arrested, but that investigators believe elderly residents in Garden Grove have been victimized by this investment scam.

Police are asking anyone who has been contacted by Jerry Benson or Ben-Wal Leasing or Ben-Wal Management to contact Investigator Steven Lukas at 714-741-5256.

Abridged

SOURCE: The Orange County Register

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Thornbury Pensioner's Carers 'Stole 24,000 pounds Savings (UK)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:32:00 +0000

Thornbury pensioner's carers 'stole £24k savings'

November 11, 2009

A pair of carers supposedly looking after a disabled woman from Thornbury allegedly pilfered £24,000 from her bank account to fund everything from hairdressing to holidays, a court heard.

Jennifer and Albert Wilks, who face a total of 10 theft charges, are claimed to have spent multiple sclerosis sufferer Margaret Willmott's money on DIY, pet care, a foreign holiday, home furnishings and meals out, Bristol Crown Court was told.

Both Mrs Wilks, 63, and Mr Wilks, 65, of Somerset Avenue, Yate, have denied the allegations.

The couple are not present at court and the jury has been told to disregard their absence.

Nicholas Fridd, prosecuting, said Mrs Willmott, 72, suffers from MS and osteoporosis, and requires a carer for her everyday needs.

Since 1991 she has lived in sheltered housing in Thornbury and Mrs Wilks became her care assistant via the British Nursing Agency from 1994.

Mr Fridd said: "In 2004 they opened three bank accounts to use for Mrs Willmott's benefit.

"Mr Wilks was given power of attorney over her bank account, and was made sole beneficiary of her will.

"What the prosecution say happened, between 2004 and 2007, was that Mr and Mrs Wilks helped themselves to money from one of the joint bank accounts.

The case continues at Bristol Crown Court.

Abridged
SOURCE: This Is Bristol, UK
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Felony Charge Dropped in Elder Abuse Case (USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 21:26:00 +0000

Felony charge dropped in elder abuse case

By JUDY D.J. ELLICH

Daily American Staff Writer

November 10, 2009

A Meyersdale woman who is accused of neglecting an elderly woman in the early stages of dementia will not face a felony charge at trial.

Carol Louise Kyle, 63, who waived her right to a preliminary hearing Tuesday, will face the charge of neglect of care of a dependent person.

The charge was amended from a felony to a misdemeanor Tuesday before District Judge Douglas McCall Bell of Meyersdale. After the initial medical information was developed, the nature of Nona Meyers’ injury would not support a felony, according to District Attorney Jerry Spangler.

Kyle also faces recklessly endangering another person and simple assault charges for allowing Meyers to suffer bed sores that developed into blood poisoning.

In February 2006 Kyle took in Meyers at her personal care home for $850 a month. At that time, Meyers could not communicate for herself, and could not eat, use the restroom, walk or dress without assistance, according to court documents.

On May 11, 2007, Kyle transported Meyers to Cumberland Memorial Hospital, placed her in a wheelchair, handed insurance cards to a nurse and said, “She needs to go to a nursing home,” according to a probable-cause affidavit.

Kyle then left the hospital and returned home without offering any medical history or information about Meyers’ condition. Kyle did not notify family members, who were eventually tracked down through medical records.

Abridged
SOURCE: Daily American.Com
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Arizona AG To Host Crime and Fraud Prevention Forum (USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:17:00 +0000

By HEATHER SMATHERS

The Daily News

November 8, 2009

The public is invited to a crime and fraud prevention forum sponsored by the Arizona Attorney General's Office on Thursday.

The forum will feature a round table discussion and question and answer session moderated by Arizona Attorney General Terry Goddard. Local law enforcement officials and political leaders will sit on the panel.

Bullhead City Police Chief Rodney Head said the forum promises to be informative.

“It's going to make for some thought provoking discussion,” Head said. “I hope people come out to address their questions and concerns.”

Scheduled topics include Internet safety, fraud prevention, elder abuse, drug trafficking and consumer scams, among others.

In addition to Hakim, Head and Sheahan, other panelists include Mohave County District 2 Sup. Tom Sockwell and possibly an attorney with the city prosecutor's office. Mohave County Attorney Matt Smith was asked to be on the panel; however, he is prosecuting a high-profile murder trial this week.

The forum begins at 6 p.m. in the Bullhead City council chamber, 1255 Marina Blvd.

Abridged

SOURCE: The Mojave Daily News

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Man Was Perfect Fraud Victim (LAS VEGAS, USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:11:00 +0000

Elderly, a bit senile, visiting Vegas — man was perfect fraud victim

By Abigail Goldman

Nov. 10, 2009

Wilson Smith met a nice woman in Las Vegas. They spent two days together, it seems, before Smith, in town for only a short visit, headed to a high school reunion and then back home to California — and his new friend started calling.

Smith was 78 and in the early stages of dementia. She was 20-something and persistent. In three years she gutted Smith’s bank accounts, used his financial information to obtain at least 28 credit cards and spent $750,000.

When the fraud was finally exposed, so was the depth of Smith’s Alzheimer’s. He wired her money until there was none, bought her a car, gave her his bank information and let trash bags full of unopened bills pile up in his basement. And yet, when accountants walked Smith through the financial wreckage, the former banker was as shocked as anybody by his unwitting hand in the nightmare.

The woman remains wanted by police.

Abridged
SOURCE: The Las Vegas Sun
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Man Arrested On Suspicion of Elder Abuse (USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:05:00 +0000

By Signal Staff

Nov. 9, 2009

A Saugus man was arrested last week for slapping his elderly mother, Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's officials said.

Dana Moore, 46, who lives with his mother on the 23000 block of Ash Glen Circle, was arrested about 5 p.m. Saturday on suspicion of dependent adult abuse, a felony, said Lt. Brenda Cambra.

The victim, 83, was not seriously injured and required no medical attention when deputies arrived, she said.

On Monday afternoon, Moore was being held at the sheriff's station in lieu of $50,000 bail, she said.

SOURCE: The Signal.Com
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Jackson Country Establishes Elder Abuse Coalition (USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 03:01:00 +0000

Jackson County establishes Elder Abuse Coalition

November 10, 2009

Jackson County now has an established Elder Abuse Coalition. The Elder Abuse Coalition is a multidisciplinary team, consisting of individuals possessing geriatric experience from varied backgrounds. All current coalition members are individuals who work in various community agencies, and businesses within Jackson County. The mission of the Coalition is “to preserve the dignity and rights of older adults and promote their independence by preventing abuse, neglect and exploitation through increasing community awareness and the development of additional protective services”.

The Coalition held their most recent meeting on Oct. 22, 2009, at Holzer Medical Center-Jackson. Holzer Medical Center-Jackson will be the host site for the Coalition meetings. There has never been a more urgent time to develop such a coalition. Ohio is currently experiencing major budget cuts, unfortunately resulting in a negative impact to Adult Protective Services.

SOURCE: The Times Journal

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Vigilence Key to Elder Abuse Prevention (TX. USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:53:00 +0000

Vigilence key to elder abuse prevention

By Eric J. Weilbacher
The Herald-Zeitung

November 10, 2009

It’s supposed to be the Golden Years. Instead, they are the dark years for many New Braunfels residents suffering at the hands of their caretakers — physically or financially.

Over the past five years, Daniel Perez, director of the Crisis Center of Comal County, has witnesses a disturbing trend.

Reports of abuse of the elderly have risen with each year.

He sees people in their 80s arriving at the Crisis Center’s shelter, looking for a place to recover from physical abuse or to piece their lives back together after financial ruin.

Until recently, abuse of the elderly often went unreported expect in extreme cases.

But abuse that takes place in the home from caregivers, be they the children of the elderly or privately hired help, has been reported more frequently as awareness of the issue becomes more mainstream, Perez said.

Abridged
SOURCE: The Herald-Zeltung
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Saving the Elderly From Mistreatment (CA. USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Wed, 11 Nov 2009 02:48:00 +0000

By Athan Bezaitis

November 9, 2009

The Los Angeles Caregiver Resource Center and the Andrus Center Volunteers hosted a seminar on preventing the mistreatment of older persons at the USC Davis School of Gerontology on Nov. 4.

Filmmakers Dorothy Breininger and Debby Bitticks and former Los Angeles Police Department detective Chayo Reyes provided information on such forms of elder abuse as predatory caregivers, financial scam artists and neglectful nursing homes to students, faculty and other visitors.

From 1987 to 1999, Reyes, a former member of the Elder Person’s Estate Unit, prevented the loss of or recovered more than $91 million in victim’s assets, which included homes, vehicles and life savings. He discussed ways to recognize and address theft from the estates of vulnerable adults.

“Elder abuse cases have a common theme,” he said. “The victims generally live alone, may be in poor health and, in 95 percent of cases, suffer from dementia or are subject to undue influence or duress.”

Shawn Herz, director of program development of the Caregiver Center, said the film and discussion provided “vital information for raising awareness of what people need to take into consideration when planning for care and in protecting the vulnerable.”

For more information on Saving Our Parents, visit www.savingourparents.com

Abridged

SOURCE: University of Southern California News

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Abandoned Elderly Find Hope Through Blessed Teresa's Nuns (Kathmandu, Nepal)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 06:41:00 +0000

November 06 2009

In a country where it is increasingly commonplace to abandon the elderly, the Missionaries of Charity (MC) sisters provide a loving refuge in a government home they work in.

"Most youngsters consider their old parents a burden," Surendra Prasad Joshi, a retired university professor, says.

Traditional care of the elderly within the extended family is breaking down in Nepal, according to Joshi, who now volunteers as secretary to the MC Sisters in Nepal.

He said that economic pressures add to the problem as most youngsters head overseas to find work. Furthermore, with the trend toward nuclear families these days, fewer young people are looking after their parents. "Many parents are literally thrown out of homes; they are either dropped off at old age homes or in temples," he added.

At one government-run facility for the elderly at least, located on the premises of the Pashupatinath temple in Kathmandu, they get loving care from the MC nuns who work there.

"I am happy here," says 80-year-old Bir Bahadur Gurung, whose sons left him to fend for himself as he grew older and weaker. "I get to eat and I have friends with whom I can talk with, and the sisters always take good care of us."

The MC sisters first started their Nepal mission in 1980 following a visit to Kathmandu by Blessed Teresa of Kolkata.

"During her visit, 'Mother' cleaned the toilets at the home and later convinced the late Queen Aishwarya Rajya Laxmi Devi Shah to give the sisters a part of the home" to work in, said Sister Rose Therese, head of the MC sisters in Nepal.

They now have 32 elderly people in their care. The nuns bathe, feed and wash the clothes of residents who cannot perform daily chores.

According to HelpAge International, a global network working for the elderly, six percent of the 28.5 million people in Nepal are aged over 60.
There are currently nine MC sisters stationed in three centers in Nepal.

Abridged
SOURCE: Indian Catholic News
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Red Tape Stands in Way of Police Volunteers

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:34:00 +0000

Red tape stands in way of police volunteers

By: BRENT BEGIN
Examiner Staff Writer
November 7, 2009

There are financial experts waiting to donate their time to help San Francisco police crack down on elder fraud, but they have been held up by bureaucracy.

New police Chief George Gascón is pushing for creative ideas as the Police Department deals with budget cuts, and one of those ideas could be to let civilian investigators assist in solving crimes instead of always using additional police officers. Several studies on the department have recommended civilianizing positions, such as clerks and statisticians, to allow higher-paid officers to fight crime, but that process has lagged.
Erika Falk, executive director of the San Francisco Institute on Aging, told the Police Commission on Wednesday night about financial crimes committed against older adults that are often overlooked.

She also lobbied the Police Department to invest more resources toward solving the problem.

Abridged
SOURCE: The SFExaminer
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Grant Fights Elder Abuse (USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Mon, 09 Nov 2009 01:29:00 +0000

BY JESSE DUNSMORE

TIMES HERALD

NOVEMBER 8, 2009

It's a story Sarah Prout, managing attorney at Lakeshore Legal Aid, said illustrates how vulnerable senior citizens ar

In 2008, a 67-year-old woman was assaulted by her live-in daughter. But, the senior discovered she couldn't evict her daughter, who had used power of attorney to claim ownership of the home while her mother was in the hospital.

There are plenty of services in St. Clair County to help elderly people fight abuse, but Prout said a grant from the Office of Violence Against Women will help those agencies better work together to combat what officials consider a growing a problem.

The grant will provide $300,000 in three years to help train people to deal with elder abuse and enhance services provided by six county agencies: Lakeshore Legal Aid, the county prosecutor's office, Safe Horizons, the Port Huron Police Department, Adult Protective Services and Catholic Social Services.

Abridged

SOURCE: The Times Herald

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Woman Accused in $20,000 Theft From Vulnerable Great Uncle (MI. USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 21:31:00 +0000

By Laura Angus | Flint Journal

November 05, 2009, 8:00AM

FLINT, Michigan

A Genesee Township woman is accused of stealing upward of $20,000 from her mentally disabled great uncle’s bank account to pay her cable bill and have her lawn mowed.

As a result, investigators say the 79-year-old man got kicked out of a Flint assisted living facility for an unpaid $18,000 bill.

Mary Anne Aitken, 43, was charged Wednesday with 22 counts of embezzlement from a vulnerable adult and uttering and publishing.

The county’s elder abuse team began looking at Aitken for misusing her great uncle’s funds in October 2008 but couldn’t make a case against her before the man was ousted from his home for the unpaid debt in January.

Investigators obtained the arrest warrant last week after spending months pouring over thousands of pages of bank and medical records, Pickell said.

“None of the money was used for his needs,” Pickell said.

At the same time McKeown’s bills were going unpaid, Pickell said Aitken signed checks with her name or his name to pay her cable bill, give “big bucks” to her son for lawn care and pay a towing bill.

Aitken was in the Genesee County Jail on $1.1 million bond and she had no attorney on file Wednesday afternoon.

Abridged
SOURCE: MLive.Com

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Grandparents Scammed (USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:12:00 +0000

Intelligencer Journal
Lancaster New Era

Nov 05, 2009

Wallace and Marian Case have eight grandchildren.

So when the Penn Township retirees received a telephone call recently that one of their grandchildren was in trouble, they didn't hesitate to help.

Only problem was, police said, it wasn't really their grandchild in trouble, and the money they sent to help him instead went straight to a professional group of criminals.

"I feel stupid," Marian Case said on Wednesday, "but if telling other people about it can help someone else from becoming a victim, we're willing to talk about it."

Penn Township police said the scam artists who duped the Cases have been operating out of Canada for at least five years.

Authorities said "The Emergency Cash Phone Scam Double," as it's called, has been used to target an increasing number of elderly people in the past two months.

The Cases, unfortunately, were two such typical victims, police said, losing more than $6,000 to the scam.

Marian Case, 78, said the call came about two weeks ago from a con artist posing as their grandson.

"He said, 'Hi Grandpa,' and said he was in Canada and had rented a car but was in an accident," Marian Case said.

"He said he needed money to repair the car before they would let him leave the country."

And Marian Case said their "grandson" asked her 81-year-old husband not to tell anyone.

"I guess we thought his father would be mad at him for going to Canada without telling them," she said.

The caller posing as their grandson and his friend "were very convincing," Marian Case said. "They knew everything.

A Web site, phonebusters.com, which was set up by a Canadian law enforcement task force, contains a long list of such scams.

The Canadian scam task force can be reached by phone at 1-888-495-8501.

Pennsylvania residents concerned about scams or other issues also can contact the state Attorney General's Elder Abuse Unit.

The Attorney General's Office has a unit specifically designed to help protect senior citizens.

They can be reached by visiting the Web site at www.attorneygeneral.gov or by calling toll free 1-866-623-2137.

Abridged

SOURCE: LancasterOnline

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Financial Elder Abuse: Families Cash In On Time's Terrible Toll (AUSTRALIA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 20:05:00 +0000

BY CHRIS BARRETT

November 5, 2009

Queensland's elderly are being financially exploited by their nearest and dearest at an alarmingly growing rate, the state's Public Trustee has warned.

Peter Carne told brisbanetimes.com.au that cases of financial elder abuse, particularly of those that are incapacitated, before the Queensland Guardianship and Administration Tribunal were on the rise.

Figures provided by the Department of Justice and Attorney-General also show that challenges to wills by family members have surged by 70 per cent in the past three years.

"One of the concerns that I have as the Public Trustee is the significant increase in financial elder abuse," Mr Carne said.

"You are seeing individuals, normally family members, who are abusing the influence they have over a parent, normally, to take control of their assets for their own personal benefit."

Among the notable cases to come before the tribunal was that of a 91-year-old widower who made a $170,000 gift to a personal care worker at his RSL Care home, which she spent in less than two months.

The tribunal ruled the elderly man did not fully understand the nature and effect of the gift.

In another case the nephew of a 90-year-old man with age-related dementia was found to have placed the proceeds of the sale of the elderly man's house in a family discretionary fund, predominantly for the use of him and his family.

The nephew was also found to have withdrawn more than $63,000 from the man's bank account, leaving him with a total loss of more than $450,000.

Abridged
SOURCE: The Brisbane Times

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Elder Abuse Law Invoked to Block Fur Protesters (OR. USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:42:00 +0000

By Steven Mayes, The Oregonian

November 04, 2009

Oregon's free-speech protections allow animal-rights activists to hurl accusations at Portland's last furrier, but the state's elder-abuse laws forbid intimidating him through obscenity, a Clackamas County judge ruled Wednesday.

Horst Grimm, 75-year-old owner of Nicholas Ungar Furs, won an order from Circuit Judge Jeffrey S. Jones requiring four anti-fur activists to keep their distance from him and his store.

Attorneys in the case believe it is the first time state laws to protect the elderly have been used to limit free speech.

Both sides presented reasonable arguments, Jones said, but the level of the protesters profanity clearly violated state law.

Abridged
SOURCE: The Oregon Live

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An Age for Justice: Confronting Elder Abuse in America

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 03:40:00 +0000

An Age for Justice: Confronting Elder Abuse in America

Watch this compelling video, produced by the Elder Justice Now campaign. It shows the families and individuals whose lives have been turned upside down by elder abuse. The video provides stark proof of the financial, emotional, and physical and psychological impact of the violence and abuse that an estimated five million Americans face every day. We hear from Vicki Bastion, 92, who installed a security gate inside her home to protect herself and what valuables she had left from her grandson and his gang‐related friends; Betty Beckles talks about her daughter beating her; Bob Lee tells us about his father, who was victimized by a paid caregiver causes depression that contributed to his death; and Pat Smith tells us about her husband, who has Alzheimer’s disease and was victimized financially by a young woman in Las Vegas who walked with $750,000. The video was produced by the National Council on Aging and WITNESS, to shine the light on what one interviewee called a “dark mark on our humanity.” (Note: copy from The Hub blog, by Kelly Matheson, of Witness)

Please go to SOURCE to view the Video ELDER FINANCIAL PROTECTION NETWORK ‘THE REPORTER’

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Elder Abuse Is Not Limited Just To rich Like Brooke Astor (USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:48:00 +0000

Elder abuse is not limited just to rich like Brooke Astor

By Patriot-News Op-Ed

November 04, 2009

An Associated Press story in The Patriot-News, “Case highlights elder abuse,” (Oct. 18) discussed how aging and wealthy New York socialite Brooke Astor was exploited by her son, Anthony Marshall.

In October, Marshall was convicted of defrauding his mother and stealing millions of dollars from her $200 million fortune as she suffered from Alzheimer’s disease. This case is a reminder that seniors are at risk for exploitation and abuse and might be vulnerable to the very people in whom they place their trust.

This risk is not limited to wealthy socialites. The physical, emotional and financial abuse of our elders is a state and national concern.

With two million residents over age 65, Pennsylvania ranks third in the country in senior population. We need our seniors, and we must exert attention and vigilance to protect this highly valued generation.

How can we prevent elder abuse? Fortunately, many resources provide protection for our older loved ones besides relatives, friends and neighbors serving as the eyes and ears on the front line of defense.

You might notice signs of malnutrition and physical harm or evidence of financial changes or estate manipulation. The state Department of Aging and the 52 area Agencies on Aging will investigate these reports.

The Pennsylvania attorney general’s elder abuse hot line is 1-866-623-2137, and the unit will prosecute those who cheat, deceive or abuse older Pennsylvanians. You also might e-mail elderabuse@attorneygeneral.gov to fill out an elderly abuse complaint form. Always notify police if a crime against a senior is reasonably suspected.

Abridged

SOURCE: PennLive.Com

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Rogersville Teenager Arrested For Beating Up His Grandmother (TN. USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 00:44:00 +0000

Rogersville teenager arrested for beating up his grandmother

19 year old Johnny Skeens is charged with willful elder abuse for allegedly assaulting his 60 year old grandmother.

By DAVID MCAVOY

Digital Journalist/ WJHL
November 4, 2009

A Rogersville teenager has been charged with willful elder abuse after police say he assaulted his 60 year old grandmother. Police say 19 year old Johnny Skeens, 309 Western Heights Drive, Rogersville, assaulted his 60 year old grandmother, Kathy Lawson. The victim’s brother, Charles Jarvis, told police the abuse by Skeens had been an ongoing problem for the last year. Jarvis also told the Hawkins County Sheriff’s Department that his sister would not ask for help from anyone. Officers went to speak with Kathy Lawson at her home, at which time an officer noticed several obvious bruises on her arms and face. Mrs. Lawson also stated that she had a large bruise on her left leg. She told the officers that her grandson, Johnny Skeens, was responsible for the bruises.

Abridged
SOURCE: TriCities.Com
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California Watchdog Worries Elder Abuse Underreported (CA. USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:48:00 +0000

November 3, 2009

A state watchdog group says elder abuse may be underreported, in part because of budget cuts to ombudsman programs.

The California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes says the number of complaints from ombudsmen are down more than 40 percent since budget cuts were enacted last year.

The report's authors fear the decline in reports means abuse is going unreported in the state's elder care facilities.

Last October, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger cut all state funding for the ombudsman program, dropping the budget to $4 million in federal funds for fiscal year 2009, down from $7.9 million the previous year.

In many parts of the state, budget cuts have resulted in staffing cuts, and fewer facilities are being checked for problems.

SOURCE: SFGATE.COM
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Nigeria: Is It Sunset For the Extended Family (AFRICA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 22:44:00 +0000

Nigeria: Is It Sunset For the Extended Family?

By Nathaniel Jonah

1 November 2009

Abuja — The family structure as we know it in Africa has been distorted as a result of a storm of economic and social factors. People today are becoming more individualistic, and the old sense of brotherhood which held society together is vanishing.

If the emerging trend in the contemporary Nigerian society is anything to go by, then the good old extended family system might as well be falling into the dust bin of history.

It is strange that many elders have become street beggars in Nigeria. You may ask: where are the children of these elderly beggars? Obviously,the extended family system is fast disappearing leaving selfishness as a virtue.

Abridged
SOURCE: All Africa.Com

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"High-Return" Investiment Schemes Target Affluent Seniors (USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Mon, 02 Nov 2009 07:06:00 +0000

November 2, 2009

An attractive brochure express-mailed by the International Banking Group to seniors living in affluent areas claims the company's certificates of deposit (CD’s) earn above average interest rates.

IBG lists 12 U.S. banks and several international institutions as the banks that supposedly issue the high-interest CDs, and claims that since its retail division was founded in 2008, the company has serviced over 35,000 new accounts worldwide.

But five of the seven banks contacted by ConsumerAffairs.com said they have never heard of IBG and at least one of them is in the process of seeking legal action because they claim that IBG uses their logo without permission. And state officials in California, where the company claims to have a Beverly Hills office, opened an inquiry after ConsumerAffairs.com asked questions about the registration requirements for corporations operating in the state.

“It looks like they [IBG] should be registered and that would make them in violation of the law,” said Mark Leyes, a spokesman for the California Department of Corporations. “Because we are aware of it, we are looking into the matter.”

Consumers in California and Florida have complained that IBG staff is making cold calls to seniors living in exclusive retirement communities, making sales pitches on the phone before mailing its brochure overnight.

Disappearing act

IBG denies any wrongdoing but recently took down its Web site.

Seniors at risk

In a volatile economy, small investors, including seniors, are more likely to fall victims to risky investments, financial scams and unscrupulous financial brokers, experts say. Elder financial abuse cost older Americans more than $2.6 billion annually, according to a 2009 report by Metlife Mature Market Institute.

Abridged
SOURCE: Consumers Affairs.Com

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Crimes Against Aging Parents Rise As Economy Falters (USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 23:46:00 +0000

Exploiting their elders: Crimes against aging parents rise as economy falters

BY KYM KLASS

NOVEMBER 1, 2009

Officials say the downturn in the economy has led to far greater exploitation of the elderly as younger family members prey upon older relatives.

More and more, adult children are moving in with aging parents because of the tough economic times and then victimizing them. What can start as using some of their parents' money for gas can escalate into totally wiping out their parents' assets, according to area officials.

What Is Adult Exploitation?

The simple definition of adult exploitation is the improper use of an elderly person's funds, property or assets. This includes cashing a check without permission, forging a signature, or misusing or stealing an elderly person's money or possessions.

How The Elderly Are Tricked

Some say it is not that hard to trick some elderly people because they are trusting and grew up in a time when they kept their doors unlocked. They gave money to their neighbors, friends, even strangers, without question.

Education

The AARP provides information on consumer fraud, identity protection and on Thursday will offer everyone a chance to shred personal documents.

"The biggest issues for fraud these days are affinity fraud, and that is fraud that is perpetrated by people you know -- family, friends, church people," Carter said.

Abridged
SOURCE: The Montgomery Advertiser
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Nurses Want Early Action To Fix Aged Care (AUSTRALIA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:45:00 +0000

Nurses want early action to fix aged care

(Media Release
30 October, 2009

120 nurses from around Australia will today urge Federal Health Minister, Nicola Roxon to take action and address major challenges facing the aged care sector in the next decade.

Ged Kearney, Federal Secretary of the Australian Nursing Federation (ANF) said that Ms Roxon will address the Biennial Australian Nursing Federation Conference in Manly this morning on the challenges facing health systems across Australia, in particular the challenge of the ageing population.

“We will urge the Federal Government to address the workforce issues that threaten to undermine the future of the aged care sector in Australia.

“At the top of the list will be assistance from the Federal Government to address the massive pay gap between aged care nursing staff and their colleagues in the public health system, which is up to $15,000 per year.

“The ANF has a four point plan to address these issues and ensure Australia continues to have a high quality aged care sector.

“Firstly, we need to halt the exodus of Registered and Enrolled nurses from aged care and ensure our nursing homes have the right mix of staff to get the job done by introducing a minimum staffing ratio.

“Secondly, we need to lift skill levels across the board, from nurses to personal carers by ensuring there is a minimum qualification requirement and a well structured career path for nurses and personal carers.

“Thirdly, to get more people into the industry and to hold onto the excellent staff we already have, we need to increase pay.

“And finally, we need make sure that any extra funding from the Federal Government flows through to aged care staff so they can deliver the best care possible - that means proper acquittal processes for aged care funding,” Ms Kearney said.

Abridged

SOURCE: The Australian Nursing Federation

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Stop, Theft! Identity Tips Aid Seniors (USA)

noreply@blogger.com (Andrew) — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 00:41:00 +0000

Stop, thief! Identity theft tips aid seniors, others

October 30, 2009

By JIM MERRITT

Special to Newsday

What is a consumer to do when a Social Security number, address and personal information have been stolen.

It was a nasty trick, and no treat. Last month, Ms. H, who lives on the South Shore, received a letter from her drug benefits administrator, alerting her to a potential financial nightmare.

Ms. H, 81, learned that she was among the victims of a massive identity theft, which had occurred the year before, but was discovered only recently.

Her Social Security number, home address and other personal information were in the hands of a thief, who was threatening to disclose the information to extort money from the company. (The case is now being investigated by the FBI.)

How they steal
Some steal your wallet or mail to obtain your Social Security number. But more sophisticated identity thieves collect personal data through the Internet, deceptive phone calls to their targets and ID card "skimming."

The information can be used to obtain financing on an automobile, or even to apply for a mortgage on a home, using personal information gathered without your consent -- or even knowledge -- from private records.

(Worth going to SOURCE for full-text)

Abridged

SOURCE: NewsDay.Com

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