Reno Woman Facing Elder Abuse and Concealed Weapon Charges (NV. USA)

BY JACLYN O'MALLEY

NOVEMBER 12, 2009

A 35-year-old former Washoe County legal guardian jailed last week for bringing an unloaded gun into a Reno court was booked additionally for possessing prescription drugs after deputies found them during a search of her jail cell.

Angela Cheri Dottei was arrested Nov. 3 on suspicion of carrying a concealed weapon into Reno Justice Court. An unloaded firearm was allegedly found in her belongings as she went through the court’s metal detector. Authorities said she had gone to the court for a scheduled hearing. She was arrested on-site and later ordered jailed in lieu of $25,000 cash bail.

Dottei is also under investigation by Reno police for allegedly financially exploiting her elderly wards. A Washoe Family Court investigation revealed she was allegedly stealing money from her wards while in her role as a legal guardian through her company, Assurity Guardian Resources. A judge in September placed sanctions upon her, fined her hundreds of thousands of dollars and suspended her license to work as a guardian.

Abridged
SOURCE:     RGJ.COM

___________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Centre to Study Abuse of Elderly (IRELAND)

November 11 2009

Abuse of the elderly in Ireland will come under the spotlight at a new national research centre.

The UCD-based facility will bring together experts from nursing, medicine, economics and social science to investigate the extent of the problem.

Health Minister Mary Harney insisted progress had been made tackling such abuse but added the new National Research Centre for the Protection of Older People (NRCPOP) will build on that.

"While there is more work to be done in this area, we have a good foundation in place from which the service can be developed further," she said.

One of the first tasks for the centre will be to calculate the exact scale of elderly abuse in Ireland. There are no scientific statistics available yet, but UCD said international research - showing between 1% and 4% of over-65s are affected - would mean between 5,000 and 21,000 older Irish people are being abused.

Family members are the most common perpetrators and victims are mainly older women or older people unable to care for themselves.

Dr Jonathan Drennan, co-director of the NRCPOP, said the abuse comes in many forms, including psychological, physical, financial, neglect as well as sexual abuse.

"There is a lack understanding as to what actually constitutes elder abuse but this is an issue which affects each and every one of us, either directly or indirectly, through our family, our friends and our local community," he said.

"We need to identify how, when and where elder abuse takes place. We need to offer older people a voice to be heard and we must introduce standards and interventions to prevent this form of abuse."

SOURCE:   ARGUS.IE

___________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Chemical Restraints Killing Dementia Patients (UK)

Nearly 2,000 elderly patients are killed each year by unnecessary anti-psychotic medication, report finds

By Owen Bowcott

guardian.co.uk,  

12 November 2009

As many as many as 144,000 people suffering from dementia are being given anti-psychotic drugs unnecessarily, according to a review ordered by the Department of Health.

Excessive use of the medication causes an estimated 1,800 deaths and almost as many strokes among older people every year, the study revealed.

The care services minister, Phil Hope, accepted all the recommendations in the review and promised a fundamental change in the treatment of those suffering from dementia.

The numbers being given "chemical restraints" will be reduced, extra training will be given to nursing home staff, more psychological therapies are to be made available and a national clinical director for dementia will be appointed.

The author of the study, Sube Banerjee, professor of mental health and ageing at the institute of psychiatry at King's College London, said that as few as 36,000 patients were benefiting from the use of anti-psychotic drugs, but their use was widespread and usually unquestioned.

Anti-psychotic medicines are used to manage the behaviourial and psychological difficulties experienced by many dementia patients such as agitation, aggression, wandering, shouting, repeated questioning and sleep disturbance.

Abridged
SOURCE:   The Guardian, UK


___________________________________
Other countries who are doing the same thing to their seniors should take notice of this report.  However, the sad thing is that other politicians would just call for another "Inquiry or Report" before they act. 


It is a fact that many anti-psychotic drugs are used in nursing homes to keep the residents "restrained"; but the authorities just would not accept the findings from other countries. They got to have their own "Inquiry" ; the euphermism of passing the buck.

...................... Andrew

_________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

New Centre to Study Elder Abuse (Ireland)

11/11/2009

Abuse of the elderly in Ireland will come under the spotlight at a new national research centre launched today.

The UCD-based facility will bring together experts from nursing, medicine, economics and social science to investigate the extent of the problem.

Health Minister Mary Harney insisted progress had been made tackling such abuse but added the new National Research Centre for the Protection of Older People (NRCPOP) will build on that.

“While there is more work to be done in this area, we have a good foundation in place from which the service can be developed further,” she said.

One of the first tasks for the centre will be to calculate the exact scale of elderly abuse in Ireland.

There are no scientific statistics available yet, but UCD said international research – showing between 1% and 4% of over-65s are affected – would mean between 5,000 and 21,000 older Irish people are being abused.

Family members are the most common perpetrators and victims are mainly older women or older people unable to care for themselves.

Dr Jonathan Drennan, co-director of the NRCPOP, said the abuse comes in many forms, including psychological, physical, financial, neglect as well as sexual abuse.

“There is a lack understanding as to what actually constitutes elder abuse but this is an issue which affects each and every one of us, either directly or indirectly, through our family, our friends and our local community,” he said.

“We need to identify how, when and where elder abuse takes place. We need to offer older people a voice to be heard and we must introduce standards and interventions to prevent this form of abuse.”

SOURCE:    Ireland Online
____________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Police Investigating Investment Scam Against Seniors (CA. USA)

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

__________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

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

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
__________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Felony Charge Dropped in Elder Abuse Case (USA)

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
_____________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Arizona AG To Host Crime and Fraud Prevention Forum (USA)

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

__________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Man Was Perfect Fraud Victim (LAS VEGAS, USA)

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
__________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources

Man Arrested On Suspicion of Elder Abuse (USA)

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
_________________________________________

Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources