National Center on Elder Abuse E-News

Volume 11 Number 3 October 2008

In This Issue:

1.  Prestigious Beeson Award Granted for Research in Elder Self-Neglect

2.  State News -- Initiatives, Programs, and Legislation:

    a.  Michigan: Calhoun County Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition

    b.  Delaware: Senior Protection Initiative

    c.  New York: The Eddy Haven for Abused Elderly

    d.  California: Sacramento County Unveils "Stop. Listen.Care."
        Campaign

3.  On-line Resources

    a.  NCEA Webcast Now Online: *"Elder Abuse Research"*

    b.  Audio Programs: 2008 Equal Justice Conference

    c.  NCEA Fact Sheets: Durable Power of Attorney Abuse: It's a Crime,
        Too

4.  Academy on Violence and Abuse Call for Presentations

5.  Funding Announcements

6.  Senior Legal Hotlines Meetings in Conjunction with National Aging
    and Law Conference

7.  Crime Victims' Service Awards Nominations

8.  NCEA E-News is Changing Its Look

9.  Calendar of Events

10. Credits

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1.  Prestigious Beeson Award Granted for Research in Elder Self-Neglect

For the second time since 1995, a Paul B. Beeson Career Development
Award in Aging Research was granted to a physician and researcher
specializing in the area of elder abuse.

In July 2008, Dr. XinQi Dong, M.D., of the Rush Institute on Healthy
Aging, Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, was named as one of
thirteen recipients of the esteemed award. Dr. Dong was granted \$745,
000 over four years to continue and expand his research: "Consequences
of Self-Neglect in a Biracial Population of Older People." Specifically,
the research is intended to investigate the continuum of self-neglect
severity and its association with important health outcomes.

As Dr. Dong notes, there is a great paucity in our current understanding
about the full spectrum of elder self-neglect to adverse health
outcomes, and even less is known about racial/ethnic differences in a
representative population. "One of the questions we battle with all the
time is 'what are the potential adverse health outcomes of milder forms
of self-neglect?'"

The study will investigate self-neglect severity in relationship to the
health services utilization (physician and home health agency visits;
emergency room visits and hospitalizations; admissions to skilled
nursing facilities and long-term nursing home placements) and the
overall risk of mortality. Health services utilization data will be
obtained through the Medicare dataset and mortality data will be from
the National Death Index. The research will also try to elucidate the
potential differences in these associations among blacks and whites in
the same communities.

The investigation will be carried out within the context of the Chicago
Health and Aging Project, a longitudinal epidemiologic study funded by
the National Institute on Aging in 1993 to determine risk factors for
Alzheimer's disease. Thus far, the study population consists of
approximately 11,000 participants in a geographically defined, biracial
community on the south side of Chicago. Dr. Dong notes that these are
very racially/ethnically and socioeconomically diverse communities,
which will further enhance our ability to quantify the racial/ethnic
differences in the adverse health outcomes of elder self-neglect.

"One of the important factors for this study is that it is a
population-based approach as opposed to clinically-based. The Chicago
Health and Aging Project study is a rigorously designed longitudinal
epidemiological study with strong community support. It has achieved
higher participation rates both at baseline (78.6 percent) and during
follow-up (85 percent) than most recent epidemiological studies of this
size and scope, which also reduces bias. In addition, the study's cohort
has been very well characterized, with up to 15 years (1993-2008) of
detailed information on many relevant background variables. This feature
will allow us to examine in-depth the potential confounders for our
proposed study in this biracial population."

The project will serve as the cornerstone for future studies and policy
development. The long-term goals are to develop strategies to identify
older adults at risk for self-neglect in order to develop prevention
strategies and targeted, early interventions to reduce or avert
morbidity and mortality.

Dr. Dong serves as the principal investigator of the project and is
grateful for the continued support of the institute and department of
medicine at Rush University. Dr. Dennis Evans, the principal
investigator of the Chicago Health and Aging Project study, and Dr.
Terry Fulmer, Dean of the College of Nursing at New York University, are
key advisors collaborating on the research.

Dr. Dong also sees the study as a vital opportunity to give back to the
community. "I think that as physicians we are privileged to care for our
patients. But I also deeply believe that we have broader
responsibilities to society, especially for the vulnerable populations,
not only through clinical care, but also through rigorous research,
advocacy and fostering inter-disciplinary collaborations."

This philosophy was greatly influenced by his family history. The
grandson of a village physician in rural China, he witnessed his
grandfather imprisoned for championing human rights and religious
freedom. As a University of Chicago undergraduate, Dr. Dong worked with
community leaders and Amnesty International on human rights issues and
other issues facing Chinese Americans. As a Rush University medical
student he and his wife, Melissa Simon, M.D., M.P.H. (an
obstetrician-gynecologist and health services researcher at Northwestern
Medical Center), started the school's first chapter of Physicians for
Social Responsibility. The group focused on education initiatives for
Chicago medical students on the issues of domestic violence and gun
violence. During his medical residency and geriatric fellowship at Yale
University, Dr. Dong worked closely with Connecticut Social Services
Agency on the issue of elder abuse. Since he moved back to Chicago, he
continues to work extensively in elder abuse prevention, not only as a
researcher, but as a clinician, and an activist in collaboration with a
number of city, state, and national organizations.

*Note: The deadline for 2009 Beeson Awards Request of Applications is
November 3rd, 2008. Letters of intent to apply are requested by October
3rd, 2008. For more information, visit:
<http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-09-012.html>.*

*As quoted from the program's web site: "Since 1995, the Paul B. Beeson
Career Development Awards in Aging Research Program (formerly the Beeson
Physician Faculty Scholars Program) has supported 139 Beeson Scholars
from 39 of the nation\'s top medical schools and research institutions.
Today, the Beeson program continues to foster the independent research
careers of clinically trained investigators --- a growing cadre of
talented physician-scientists --- whose research and leadership are
enhancing the health and quality of life of Americans, particularly
older people." The National Institute on Aging and the American
Federation for Aging Research currently share administrative
responsibilities for the program. Other funding partners include the
John A. Hartford Foundation, the Star Foundation, and the Atlantic
Philanthropies. Dr. Mark S Lachs ,M.D., M.P.H. of the Weill Medical
College of Cornell University was named an inaugural Beeson Scholar in
1995 for his research project: "Depression And Self-Neglect In
Community-Dwelling Elders.*

2.  State News -- A Quarterly Highlight of State Initiatives, Programs,
    and Legislation

    a.  Michigan: Calhoun County Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition

Just over a year ago, when Karla Fales (now Executive Director of Region
IIIB Area Agency on Aging in Michigan) was developing program goals, she
was struck by the region's lack of a coordinated elder abuse public
awareness and outreach effort. She called representatives from various
county aging and human services agencies to explore possible approaches.
To her surprise, approximately 25 people responded. Participants of this
ad hoc meeting told similar stories of increased reports of recent
scams, particularly household contracting scams. The group responded by
forming the Calhoun County Elder Abuse Prevention Coalition, adopting
the initial goal of promoting awareness and education among
professionals and the public. The coalition is tri-chaired by Ms. Fales,
John Hallacy, the county's prosecuting attorney, and elder law attorney
Stacey Lott, a private practitioner.

"We felt that there was a particular lack of public awareness of
financial abuse and scams, including 'affinity fraud,' where
perpetrators befriend the elder and have them turn over assets or invest
in scams."

The initial alliance involved only senior services providers, but a
unique feature of this coalition is its growing involvement of community
gatekeepers, people who have routine and frequent contact with seniors
but may not work in traditional aging services arenas. The coalition
currently includes: a home heating contractor, a funeral director, a
durable medical equipment provider, and herbal product distributor, the
editor of a senior community newspaper, along with home health care
providers and other representatives from APS, the criminal justice
system, the long-term care ombudsman program, and others.

"Every month we worried that this would be the meeting when no one would
show up. We thought if we stopped serving refreshments, we'd really be
in trouble!" Ms. Fales joked.

That has not been the case. Group meetings have drawn as many as 42
participants. They recently drafted a Fraud Fighter prevention plan
similar to Kentucky's program (featured in the November 2007 NCEA
E-News), incorporating additional input from Oregon's model. The program
involves providing seniors with a one page form to give to door-to-door
contractors offering services. The contractor is asked to complete the
form which is pre-addressed to the county attorney for a background
check, a strategy that sends fraudulent contractors retreating. Building
on this program, the senior community newspaper now requires that
advertising contractors include their license number in print ads. (To
learn more about Kentucky Fraud Fighters, go to:
[http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/Resources/Newsletter/2007/NCEA%20Newsletter-%20November2007.pdf](http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/Resources/Newsletter/2007/NCEA Newsletter- November2007.pdf).)

The response from seniors in this rural county has been very positive.
One resident requested a stack of Fraud Fighter forms that she not only
hands out to contractors but to other door-to-door solicitors,
particularly magazine vendors. "We are sponsoring a lot of outreach
programs for seniors, and we are hearing that politeness is one of the
greatest obstacles in fending off scam artists. Seniors like the idea of
handing them a form rather than having to say 'no' or to confront them,"
Ms. Fales reported.

One of the coalition members recently received an \$8,200 grant from the
Battle Creek Community Foundation to launch a public awareness campaign
throughout the county. The initiative, which will focus on financial
exploitation, will include a brochure, billboards, and other outreach
materials. The initiative will rely heavily on consumer-based businesses
(grocers, hair salons, etc.) for dissemination.

Ms. Fales points out, "The aging services people across the country are
very generous and have been very willing to share their ideas and
resources." For example, the Calhoun coalition has been assisted by
nearby Kalamazoo County, which recently received funding from Blue Cross
and Blue Shield for its own campaign. In turn, both the Kalamazoo and
Calhoun coalitions have obtained permission to use materials from San
Diego's successful "Silence Isn't Golden" campaign.

"At this point, we have more ideas than energy -- for example, we want
to create a FAST team, and we want to create training for home health
care workers and others. We are looking for a model of a community
advocate, a vetted volunteer, who could be present when a senior who
does not have a support person needs to make an important decision."

Ms. Fales worries about the impact of increased service demands that
would no doubt accompany a successful public awareness campaign. Until
six months ago, the county had only one investigator for elder abuse
cases; it now has two. Along with the other members, she realizes that
this is all the more reason to strengthen and continue the prevention
efforts of the coalition.

b.  Delaware: Senior Protection Initiative

State Attorney General Joseph R. "Beau" Biden, III recently announced
new measures to enhance the prevention of senior victimization and to
enhance the prosecution of crimes committed against older Delaware
residents.

"Through the Senior Protection Initiative, the Delaware Department of
Justice is redoubling its efforts to prosecute those who have committed
senior abuse, encourage victims to come forward and bring together state
agencies, law enforcement and advocates to tackle these issues," said
Biden.

Veteran prosecutor Marsha White was named Senior Protection Deputy, and
will lead a new multidisciplinary team of prosecutors, law enforcement,
and advocates involved in elder abuse prevention and response. The team
will begin meeting monthly in October to staff and respond to cases
involving senior abuse.

In addition to the newly created multidisciplinary team, the initiative
will include public outreach efforts and increased training in detecting
abuse for local law enforcement.

c.  New York: The Eddy Haven for Abused Elderly

The Eddy, part of the Northeast Health network in upper state New York,
has recently initiated The Eddy Haven for Abused Elderly. The program
will target elder abuse prevention and intervention through a wide range
of services.

The Eddy Haven will serve individuals aged 60 and older who reside in
Albany and Rensselaer counties. The program will provide a comprehensive
umbrella of coordinated community resources and services for victimized
elders who may need to leave their homes. Services range from temporary
shelter at an undisclosed location, nursing care, home care, counseling
and/or legal support, case management, and referral for additional
services.

Since law enforcement are often first responders to victims of abuse,
The Eddy Haven program will collaborate with law enforcement to create
and deliver training. The program will also engage health care and other
professions who provide care for seniors, and will reach out to seniors
themselves to raise awareness.

d.  California: Sacramento County Unveils "Stop. Listen.Care." Campaign

Eight years ago, the Sacramento County Adult & Aging Commission was
charged with developing a plan for senior protection. The resulting
recommendations called for a comprehensive public awareness campaign
which has resulted in a new program: "Stop.Listen.Care." The central
theme of the campaign is that any individual in the community can make a
vital difference in the life of a vulnerable senior.

"We want to engage people at a proactive level rather than a reactive
level," states Committee Chair Peggy Forseth-Andrews.

The program was designed to help community members understand how they
can become involved before a crisis sets in to help decrease isolation,
a risk factor for elder abuse, neglect, and self-neglect. The approach
emphasizes practical suggestions for recognizing the subtler warning
signs of mistreatment. It also promotes awareness of major county
resources and services.

*"Keeping Your Distance is Overrated,"* is the tagline for brochures,
posters, and letters designed for the public as well as professionals. A
campaign web site is under development. Dissemination of campaign
literature is ongoing, and an important strategy will be the
distribution of information referral cards through a retail grocery
chain.

Ms. Forseth-Andrews, a volunteer working with the Commission since its
inception, notes that a key element of the campaign launch was a
roll-out breakfast attended by approximately 30 aging and social
services professionals and advocates. Attendees were urged to commit to
the effort, in writing, in various ways: where and how they could assist
in distributing the literature; they were invited to join the speaker's
bureau; and, most importantly, they were asked what doors they could
open to expand the initiative's reach. Phase two of the roll-out will
include a similar breakfast event for professionals in the business
community and collaboration with city councils.

Campaign development and launch has cost approximately \$14,000 dollars,
and the Commission is seeking additional funding to continue to support
outreach efforts. In an effort to measure the project's impact, they
will track incoming requests on the county's 211 line, and also monitor
requests to the speaker's bureau.

For more information on the "Stop.Listen.Care." campaign, contact Nancy
Yavrom, program coordinator of Sacramento County Adult and Aging
Commission by email at nyavrom@communitycouncil.org or by telephone
916-447-7063.

Share your state news on programs, initiatives, and legislation: email:
<ncea-info@aoa.hhs.gov>.

Editorial note: The Federal Legislative Update, Elder Abuse Research and
Literature, and State News are quarterly postings. Up Next: November -
The Federal Legislative Update; December - Elder Abuse Research and
Literature; January -- State News.

3.  Online Resources

    a.  NCEA Webcast Now Online: "Elder Abuse Research"

The June 26, 2008 NCEA webcast, "Elder Abuse Research" which highlighted
the

New York State Incidence and Prevalence Study now underway and other
current projects, is available online.

Dr. Mark Lachs, esteemed researcher, geriatrician, and professor at the
Weill Cornell Medical College and Director of Geriatrics for the New
York Presbyterian Health System, and Art Mason, Director of Lifespan's
Elder Abuse Prevention Program in Rochester, New York, were the featured
presenters. The webcast was hosted by the National Adult Protective
Services Association, the NCEA grantee responsible for carrying out the
Center's training initiative.

The webcast can now be accessed from the NCEA website's Event Archives
at:

http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEARoot/Main_Site/Library/Events_Webcast/Events_Arc

hive.aspx

or from the webcast provider site at:

<http://playback.telspan.com/cr2?replaycode=24840828> .

b.  Audio Programs: 2008 Equal Justice Conference

Two new audio programs from the 2008 Equal Justice Conference on legal
issues impacting seniors are now online. The audio segments are
accessible from the American Bar Association web site at:

<http://www.abanet.org/cle/clenow/home.html>.

"You Can't Stay Young Forever: Addressing Problems in Senior Housing and
Long-Term Care," presented by Eric Carlson and Aisha Bierma, focuses on
challenges with senior care and fair housing laws.

"Fair Housing Laws and Seniors with Disabilities," presented by Aisha
Bierma, highlights the Fair Housing Act, Americans with Disabilities
Act, Rehabilitation Act.

c.  NCEA Fact Sheets: Durable Power of Attorney Abuse: It's A Crime, Too

The NCEA has recently posted two new fact sheets that discuss both the
criminal justice and civil justice systems' respective responses to
victims of durable power of attorney abuse. The fact sheets were
produced for the NCEA by the American Bar Association Commission on Law
Aging.

"Durable Power of Attorney Fact Sheet: Consumers" is online at:

<http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/ncearoot/main_site/pdf/publication/DurablePowerOfAttorneyAbuseFactSheet_Consumers.pdf>

"Durable Power of Attorney Fact Sheet: Criminal Justice Professionals"
is online at:

<http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/ncearoot/main_site/pdf/publication/DurablePowerOfAttorneyAbuseFactSheet_CriminalJusticeProfessionals.pdf>

The links above access the fact sheets through the NCEA website. They
are also accessible from the Commission's website at:
<http://www.abanet.org/aging/elderabuse.shtml>.

4.  Academy on Violence and Abuse: Call for Presentations Deadline
    Extended Until October 10th

The Academy on Violence and Abuse will host its Scientific Conference
"Sowing Seeds of Academic Change, Nurturing New Paradigms" April 24-25,
2009, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

The Academy has extended the deadline of its call for presentations
until October 10^th^. The conference provides an opportunity to increase
awareness of elder abuse in the health care arena.

In particular, the Academy is interested in presentations that highlight
"evidence-based research, ideas and concepts for promoting education for
health care professionals and improving the lives of patients who have
been exposed to violence or abuse...." Suggested topics include (but are
not limited to):

-   Health consequences of abuse (long-term, short-term, mental health,
    physical health, risk behaviors)

-   New findings in neuroscience of abuse

-   Cost of health care related to abuse (demand for services,
    hospitalization rates, surgical rates, medication usage)

-   Curriculum issues (integration in core curricula, cross-curricula,
    engagement of faculty leaders)

-   Faculty and core competency development

-   Clinical approaches to dealing with all abuse issues and health care
    response (holistic model)

-   Evidence-based education

For more information on the conference, and on submitting a presentation
abstract, visit the Academy's home page at: <http://www.avahealth.org/>.
Those interested can also download the following publication: "Building
Academic Capacity and Expertise in the Health Effects of Violence and
Abuse, a Blueprint for Advancing Professional Health Education" from the
web site.

5.  Funding Announcements

The following funding opportunities are now available:

Helping Outreach Programs to Expand Grants

Application deadline: Open, dependent upon available funding.

Helping Outreach Programs to Expand awards grants to improve outreach
to, and services for, crime victims. Grassroots, nonprofit,
community-based, and faith-based victim services organizations are among
those eligible to apply.

For more information, visit:
<http://www.ovc.gov/fund/expandingoutreach/welcome.html>.

Paul B. Beeson Career Development Awards in Aging Research Program

Application deadline: November 3, 2008

The Beeson program fosters "the independent research careers of
clinically trained investigators --- a growing cadre of talented
physician-scientists --- whose research and leadership are enhancing the
health and quality of life of Americans, particularly older people." The
National Institute on Aging, the American Federation for Aging Research,
the John A. Hartford Foundation, the Star Foundation, and the Atlantic
Philanthropies are partners in sponsorship.

For more information, visit:
<http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-AG-09-012.html>.

6.  Senior Legal Hotlines Meetings Planned in Conjunction with the
    National Aging and Law Conference

The National Association of Senior Legal Hotlines is coordinating a
number of meetings around the National Aging and Law Conference, which
will be held December 3 - 6 in Arlington, Virginia. Representatives from
states that do not have a senior legal hotline/helpline but would like
to are encouraged to attend, along with managers, staff and/or
volunteers from the organization's member groups.

Anyone who can is encouraged to arrive by Wednesday, December 3, for a 4
p.m. meeting at the conference hotel (Double Tree Hotel) for an in-depth
discussion of the state of the Association, the current challenges of
starting and sustaining statewide senior legal hotlines, and of relevant
legislative developments. The official business meeting will be held at
the conference hotel on Friday, December 5, 5 p.m., and will be devoted
to the election of new officers and the discussion of proposed by-law
amendments. One proposed amendment would create a new category of
membership for nonprofit legal aid programs interested in developing
senior legal hotlines in states that do not currently have them. The
National Aging and Law Conference is presenting a workshop on the
20-year evolution of senior legal hotlines.

For more details, please email: <dmandel@lsnc.net>.

[]{.mark}

[]{.mark}

7.  Deadline Approaching for Crime Victims' Service Awards Nominations

The Office of Victims of Crime is currently accepting nominations for
the 2009 National Crime Victims' Service Awards. The awards recognize
individuals and organizations for exemplary support for victims and
victim services. Award honorees will be announced in conjunction with
National Crime Victims' Rights Week, which will be observed from April
26 - May 2, 2009.

Deadline: October 10, 2008

For more information or to submit a nomination, visit:
https://ovcncvrw.ncjrs.gov/awards/default.html.

8.  NCEA E-News is Changing Its Look

In the next few months, the NCEA will roll out a new look for the NCEA
E-News. These changes are intended to make the information presented in
the E-News more accessible to all users.

In 1998, Congress amended the Rehabilitation Act and enacted Section 508
to eliminate barriers in information technology. The law applies to all
Federal agencies when they develop, procure, maintain, or use electronic
and information technology. Because the NCEA operates as a "virtual"
resource center supported by federal funding, with all materials made
available via the NCEA website, we are working to make sure all the
products we develop for posting to the NCEA website are compliant with
Section 508, incluidng the newsletter.

We hope you will like the new look and, as always, we welcome your
feedback and suggestions on ways we can improve the E-News.

9.  Calendar of Events

October 21 - 23, 2008

Three-Day Elder Mediation Training

Conflict Resolution and Mediation Services of CVVC

Pittsburgh, PA 15206

Contact: Ellen DeBenedetti at 412-482-3240, ext. 300

October 28 -- 30, 2008

Aging is Changing: 2008 Conference on Aging

Water's Edge Resort & Spa

Westbrook, Connecticut

Website: http://www.seniorresourcesec.org/news/conference.html

November 4 - 7, 2008

25th Annual Adult Protective Services Conference

Holiday Inn Select

San Antonio, Texas

Email: APSConference@dfps.state.tx.us

Website: [www.apsconference.org](http://www.apsconference.org/)

November 13 -- 15, 2008

Canadian Conference on Elder Law/International Guardianship Network:

Aging Citizens, Evolving Practices

Sheraton Vancouver Wall Centre

Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada

Website: http://www.ccels.ca/

December 2 -- 5, 2008

California District Attorney Association Elder Abuse Symposium

Hyatt Regency Fisherman's Wharf

San Francisco, California

Telephone: 916-443-2017

Website: http://www.cdaa.org/training/regonline.asp

December 3 -- 6, 2008

8th Annual National Aging and Law Conference

Double Tree Hotel

Arlington, Virginia

Email: mgouge@aarp.org

Telephone: 202-434-2197

Website:
<http://aarpnltp.grovesite.com/page.asp?o=aarpnltp&s=NLTP&p=257256>

April 24-25, 2009

Academy on Violence and Abuse 2009 Scientific Conference : Sowing Seeds
of Academic Change, Nurturing New Paradigms

Holiday Inn Select & Suites Minneapolis International Airport-Mall Of
America

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Website: http://www.stfm.org/ava/

10. Credits and Contact Information

National Center on Elder Abuse E-News

To subscribe, go to:
http://www.ncea.aoa.gov/NCEAroot/Main_Site/Resources/Newsletter/Newsletter_Subscribe.aspx

To learn more or to contact us, you may visit our website, write, email,
or call:

National Center on Elder Abuse/University of Delaware

Center for Community Research and Service at the University of Delaware

297 Graham Hall

Newark, Delaware 19716

Website: www.ncea.aoa.gov

Email: ncea-info@aoa.hhs.gov

Telephone: 302-831-3525

National Center on Elder Abuse Grantees:

-   Clearinghouse on Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly (website:
    www.cane.udel.edu )

-   National Adult Protective Services Association (website:
    www.apsnetwork.org )

-   National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (website:
    www.preventelderabuse.org)

Federal Disclaimer:

The National Center on Elder Abuse E-News is published monthly by the
Clearinghouse on Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly (CANE) of the
University of Delaware, and edited by Sharon Merriman-Nai. The National
Center on Elder Abuse newsletter is supported in part by a grant (Number
90AM3146) from the Administration on Aging, U.S. Department of Health
and Human Services. Grantees undertaking projects under government
sponsorship are encouraged to express freely their findings and
conclusions. Therefore, points of view or opinions do not necessarily
represent official Administration on Aging policy.