National Center on Elder Abuse E-News

Volume 10 Number 7 May 2008

In This Issue:

NCEA Student Arts Competition (page 1)

Updating the NCEA Promising Practices Clearinghouse (page 4)

National Elder Abuse Training Survey Under Development (page 5)

Missourians Stopping Adult Financial Exploitation Unveils New Video on
Financial Exploitation (page 6)

Question of the Month and Answers to April\'s Question of the Month
(page 6)

NCEA Webcast on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Now Archived Online
(page 7)

State News: Delaware Celebrates 25 Years of Adult Protective Services
(page 8)

Funding Opportunities (page 10)

Scholarship Opportunity: National Center for Victims of Crime 2008
Conference (page 11)

National Association of State Units on Aging and National Association of
Area Agencies on Aging Collaborate to Develop Project 2020 (page 11)

Federal Legislative Update (page 12)

Elder Abuse Literature (page 14)

Calendar of Events (page 16)

Credits (page 17)

The 2008 NCEA Student Arts Competition: "Why Should I Care about Elder
Abuse?"

"Art is the struggle to understand." Audrey Foris

On Thursday, April 24^th^, the 2008 NCEA Student Arts Competition
culminated in an intergenerational celebration as the University of
Delaware hosted a reception for participating teen artists, their
families, and friends. Despite the sobering subject matter, the mood was
affirmative as the NCEA featured the efforts of the talented students in
a Café of the Arts format that included poetry readings, a multimedia
slide presentation, and a premier of an original dance depicting elder
neglect.

Dr. Havidan Rodriquez, the University's Vice Provost of Academic Affairs
and International Programs, presided over the evening\'s activities,
which included another premier: NCEA's public service announcement
featuring national spokesperson elder abuse, neglect, and exploitation
awareness, William Mapother.

Mr. Mapother had said earlier of the competition, "This contest offers a
rare and valuable intersection of creativity, communication, and
community services. When the aim is to help those in need, participating
is winning."

In all, 94 high school students from the Cab Calloway School of the Arts
entered the competition. Although ten of the entries were in the
visual/multimedia category, most students, who were also permitted to
enter as teams, submitted poetry, essays, and short stories. All
participants were invited to the reception along with their guests and
given individual recognition for their involvement.

\"We felt that it was important to recognize each student who entered,
because a major goal of the competition was to start younger people
talking and thinking about elder abuse,\" said NCEA Director of Social
Marketing and Public Outreach, Carolyn Petrak. Ms. Petrak, who
coordinated the reception, was also responsible for involving the
broader community by generating sponsorship from locally-based
businesses and organizations.

NCEA also gave each contestant a commemorative tee-shirt. The shirt,
gray trimmed in blue, simply read on the front, \"Why Should I Care?\"
The back read, \"NCEA Student Arts Competition\" and included the
school\'s name.

Delaware Attorney General, Joseph "Beau" Biden, III, presented the grand
prize in the written category to senior Elizabeth Nicholls, for her
journalistic poem, \"Min Woo.\" The narrative described the experience
of a teenage girl, who upon visiting her grandmother in a nursing home,
strikes an acquaintance with an older Korean man. She later suspects,
and then observes, that he is being abused and faces the dilemma of what
to do.

When accepting her award (a \$100 Visa gift card from Peninsula United
Methodist Homes), Ms. Nicholls said that before the NCEA came into the
classrooms to introduce the competition, she had never heard of elder
abuse. When she began to think that her own \"Gran,\" could be
victimized it first shocked then outraged her.

Ms. Nicholls allowed excerpts from the poem to be read by NCEA\'s Dr.
Karen Stein, who also read another award winning poem, \"Black Leather
Bag\" by senior Taylor Elizabeth Stayton.

Internationally acclaimed graphic artist, Collette Gaiter, presented the
grand prize award in the multimedia category to senior Meagan Santangelo
for her poster, \"Elder Abuse: Why Should I Care?\" The photographic
poster depicted the vulnerabilities of growing older, and urged everyone
to become alert and to report their concerns. Ms. Santangelo received a
\$100 Visa gift card from PNC Bank.

Ms. Gaiter, who is also an Associate Professor of the University\'s
Department of Art, spoke of art as a medium for provoking thought and
catalyzing change. She urged the students to continue to explore
significant themes through their work.

A major highlight of the event was the video premier of \"A Rose for an
Elder,\" an interpretive dance choreographed and performed by seniors
Lauren Brown and Devon Gregg. The dance depicted a younger woman taking
notice of a neglected elder, and making the decision to become involved
in her life.

In addition to the commemorative tee-shirts, fifteen students received
gold honoree status for exemplary works. Another fourteen students were
awarded silver honoree status. Gold and silver honorees also received
gift certificates from sponsoring businesses.

To feature the visual art submitted, NCEA created a slide show of the
gold honoree and grand prize entries. The loop was projected while
guests talked and enjoyed refreshments before the presentation began.
The original visual art will be displayed at the high school.

Showcasing the exemplary written entries \"live\" was a bit more
challenging, so Ms. Petrak compiled a commemorative book as a souvenir
for all guests. The book included reproductions of entries awarded gold
honoree and grand prize status.

According to Attorney General Biden, the competition provided an
opportunity to look forward to preventing mistreatment among future
generations. "Just as domestic violence was, elder abuse is a dirty
little secret that continues to hide behind closed doors. We know that
we can prosecute cases of elder abuse, but we need to do a better job of
identifying these cases." The AG has identified elder abuse prosecution
as a priority of his office\'s Family Division.

Throughout the evening, students were applauded for considering the
relevance of the issue, which on the surface seems very remote from
their daily experiences. But their entries suggest that once asked teens
personalize the issue by thinking of older relatives, and their own
future lives. Predominantly, students wrote about abuse occurring in
nursing homes, and emotional neglect. Many students, however, touched
poignantly on the concept that aging makes one invisible, somehow less
of a person.

In her closing remarks, NCEA\'s Sharon Merriman-Nai urged the students
to see this as not the end of the competition, but the beginning of
lifelong advocacy, and invited their future participation in NCEA
activities. Ms. Petrak reports that if their exiting comments are any
indication, many students will do just that.

NCEA plans to incorporate elements of the art created into its national
public awareness campaign. Later this year, replication guidelines will
be published on the NCEA website, including lessons learned from this
pilot competition. Exemplary entries will also be posted on public
awareness pages of the website in the future.

First National Center on Elder Abuse Student Arts Competition Honorees

Grand Prize Winner -- Written Category:

Elizabeth Nicholls (senior), \"Min Woo\"

Grand Prize Winner -- Multimedia Category:

Meagan Santangelo (senior) -- \"Elder Abuse: Why Should I Care?\"

Gold Honorees: Written Category (in alphabetical order):

Rachel Cox (senior) -- \"Letter from Nan\"

Dia Davis (junior) -- \"Wisdom Walkers: The Pathway\"

Kasey Fredericks (senior) -- \"These Wrinkles\"

Elisa Gill (senior) -- \"Why Should I Care?\"

Alisha Mulhern & Angelica Pagogna (juniors) -- \"Death of a Lost Soul\"

Dawn Payne (junior) -- \"Silent Cry\"

Taylor Elizabeth Stayton (senior) -- \"Black Leather Bag\"

Kadeem Thomas (junior) -- \"Untitled\"

Melanie Woosley (junior) -- \"I Love You, Mother\"

Gold Honorees: Multimedia Category (in alphabetical order):

Lauren Brown & Devon Gregg (seniors) - \"A Rose for an Elder\"

Adrian Poole (senior) -- \"Age in Pattern\"

Alim Smith (senior) -- \"Untitled\"

Amanda Stout (sophomore) -- \"Why Should I Care?\"

The NCEA would like to thank Cab Calloway School of the Arts for their
participation in this inaugural event. We would especially like to thank
Dean Rumschlag, Lisa Coburn, and Richard Hanel, whose cooperation,
assistance, and warm enthusiasm were invaluable.

Cab Calloway School of the Arts of Wilmington, Delaware, is a public
middle and high school in the Red Clay School District named in honor of
the legendary Delaware bandleader.

The NCEA would also like to thank the following businesses and
organizations for their generous support. Their donations allowed us to
individually recognize the contributions made by each participant:

PNC Bank

Peninsula United Methodist Homes

Paradigm Fitness

Harry\'s Savoy Grill

Best Buy

Five Below

The Frame Shoppe & Gallery

Christiana Mall

Wilmington Blue Rocks

WJBR

Commerce Bank

Newark Cinema Center

Season\'s Pizza

Updating the NCEA Promising Practices Clearinghouse

In its role as a collaborator of the NCEA, the National Committee for
the Prevention of Elder Abuse is updating information contained in the
Promising Practices Clearinghouse. The function of the Promising
Practices Clearinghouse is to encourage evidence-based practices and the
replication of innovative programs. All entries in the Clearinghouse are
being verified to make sure that information is current and accurate.
New evidence-based data are being incorporated.

Information to be updated includes the following: name of the program;
program summary and goals; funding source(s); materials/products
disseminated; program start date; and relevant contact(s). The new
evidence-based data requested include the target population and its
size; behavior changes attempted; theoretical foundation of the program;
program costs; participation in research; and lessons learned.

The information provided should be incorporated into the NCEA Promising
Practices Database by fall 2008. The University of Kentucky is
participating in the collection of this information.

As of early May 2008, the Committee has emailed surveys to 28 states
requesting updated information and details regarding the use of
evidence-based practices. To date, 26 programs have responded. We ask
that program contacts respond as soon as possible to the request, in
order to promote promising practices related to elder abuse prevention
and intervention throughout the country.

If you would like to share or update information about your program,
please email: <ncpea@verizon.net>.

Special thanks to Wangmo Tenzin of the University of Kentucky and Pamela
Teaster, President of the National Committee for the Prevention of Elder
Abuse, for contributing this article.

National Elder Abuse Training Survey Under Development

One of the three current priorities of the NCEA is the development and
dissemination of training for key stakeholders involved in prevention
and intervention of elder abuse. As a collaborator in the Center, the
National Adult Protective Services Association is inventorying existing
training, and assessing the needs of professionals across disciplines.

A preliminary inventory survey of state contacts and selected key
informants from five professions (aging services, healthcare, criminal
justice, financial services, and adult protective services) has been
completed. The information collected will inform a more extensive survey
currently being designed by the Association. A scientifically valid
sample of persons and organizations throughout the country will be
surveyed to identify what training exists, and what training is needed,
in these key disciplines that interface with older individuals.

The national survey results will be compiled and analyzed, and the data
gleaned will be used to help the NCEA develop a strategic plan to guide
it in targeting future elder abuse training initiatives.

Special thanks to Kathleen Quinn, Executive Director of National Adult
Protective Services Association, for contributing this article.

National Public Service Announcements Debut in Communities, Ready for
National Dissemination

National public service announcements promoting elder abuse awareness
featuring actor and spokesperson William Mapother have officially
debuted.

On Thursday, April 24^th^, the NCEA previewed the announcement as part
of its multimedia reception for the Student Arts Competition in Clayton
Hall at the University of Delaware. On April 28^th^, Mr. Mapother
accompanied the series\' executive producer, Kimberly Baker, to a
meeting of the Elder Maltreatment Alliance in northern Kentucky, where
the announcement was viewed by approximately 40 members of the local
coordinating council on elder abuse. Mr. Mapother, a native Kentuckian,
discussed his personal commitment to the cause, and learned of the
council\'s ongoing advocacy efforts. Ms. Baker is a policy analyst and
elder abuse specialist for Kentucky\'s Cabinet for Health and Family
Services.

The public service announcement series, a collaborative project by the
State of Kentucky and the NCEA, is ready for national dissemination. A
master copy has been sent to the National Association of Broadcasters
for inclusion in the monthly web feed of public service announcements.
Interested broadcasters from around the country can view and download
the series for future airing. In addition, the National Association of
Area Agencies on Aging has also viewed the announcements, and will be
posting them on its web site. Members of the aging services fields are
asked to reach out to regional media contacts to encourage air play,
particularly as we approach June 15^th^, World Elder Abuse Awareness
Day.

Missourians Stopping Adult Financial Exploitation Unveils New Video on
Financial Exploitation

Missouri's comprehensive campaign on financial exploitation, Missourians
Stopping Adult Financial Exploitation, educates financial institutions
and consumers on how to stop attempted or ongoing financial exploitation
before a senior or disabled adult's funds are depleted. Missourians
Stopping Adult Financial Exploitation has a new fast moving video,
featuring Emmy Award-winning actress Doris Roberts, best known for her
role as nosy Marie Barone in TV's Everybody Loves Raymond. She provides
the narration on how to prevent this fast-growing crime. The video,
brochure, and informative slide show will help the general public and
professionals learn how to recognize and report financial exploitation.
All the materials can be viewed and/or downloaded from this site:
<http://www.dhss.mo.gov/MOSAFE/>.

Missourians Stopping Adult Financial Exploitation also provides a
training kit to financial institutions and their employees on how to
recognize and report this crime. The kit includes a video, brochure,
PowerPoint presentation, resource manual and eight articles, which can
also be viewed and/or downloaded from their site.

For more information, please call the Department of Health and Senior
Services\' toll-free Information and Referral line, 1-800-235-5503.

Special thanks to Kathleen Quinn, Executive Director of the National
Adult Protective Services Association, for contributing this article.

Question of the Month:

June 15th is fast approaching, but there is still time to share your
strategies for commemorating World Elder Abuse Awareness Day. What is
your community planning? The NCEA would like to share your ideas for
raising public awareness. We will publish readers' submissions in the
June newsletter. Your initiative may inspire another community to take
action. We welcome your thoughts. Email: <NCEA-INFO@aoa.hhs.gov>.

April\'s Question of the Month: \"What is Your Community Planning to
Commemorate World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, June 15^th^, 2008?\"

The NCEA would like to thank Dr. Elizabeth Podnieks of Ryerson
University, Canada, one of the founders of the International Network for
the Prevention of Elder Abuse, for submitting information on the \"World
Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2008: Building Knowledge and Networks to
Address Elder Abuse: Pathways to Human Rights.\" This workshop,
organized by the International and the Canadian Networks for the
Prevention of Elder Abuse, will take place on June 16^th^ and 17^th^
2008 at the Government Conference Centre in Ottawa, Ontario. Canadian
strategies and global innovations will be highlighted. In addition to
workshops, the conference will also host a student poster competition.
For more information, visit the Network\'s website at:
[www.inpea.net](http://www.inpea.net/).

The NCEA would also like to thank Mara Schecter, Queens District
Director of Elder Abuse Programs from Rego Park, New York, for
submitting the following update:

\"The 3rd annual elder abuse conference titled \'Elder Abuse and the
Family: Not a Private Matter\' is to be held on June 18, 2008 8:30 AM-
2:30 PM at the New School University, 66 West 12th Street in New York
City.

\"The conference is a collaboration between Jewish Association for
Services of the Aged, Department for the Aging, Human Resources
Administration, Hebrew Home for the Aged at Riverdale, New School
University, Fordham University, and the Carter Burden Center.

\"Following Professor Evan Stark as the key note speaker there will be
workshops on interdisciplinary topics such as: working with elder
abusers; legal aspects; prevention work with families via legal and
money management; social service prevention frameworks; clergy and elder
abuse; interviewing skills as part of the risk assessment within the
family context; the impact of changing family structure and elder abuse:
Lesbian Gay Bi-sexual Transsexual, grandparenting, the non-documented
senior victims.\"

For more information on this multidisciplinary conference, please
contact Ms. Schecter via email at: <mschecter@jasa.org> or via phone at:
718-286-1540.

NCEA Webcast on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Now Archived Online

On April 15^th^, National Adult Protective Services Association hosted
the NCEA webcast entitled: World Elder Abuse Awareness Day: What Can
Your Community Do to Raise Awareness? The webcast was held during
National Crime Victims Rights Week in order to emphasize that older
abuse victims must also be recognized. Three national experts shared
their ideas and informed participants on how to locate resources,
including toolkits, press releases, posters, and ideas for activities:
Betty Malks of the International Network for the Prevention of Elder
Abuse; Carolyn Petrak, NCEA Social Marketing and Public Outreach
Director, University of Delaware; and Trudy Gregorie, Senior Director of
Justice Solutions.

If you missed the live webcast, you can now access it online at:
http://www.ganconference.com/napsa.html. (Note: you must have the
current Windows Media Player to hear and see the webcast, and you may
need to click the firewall bar that appears at the top of the page to
allow the download. If you have problems, please contact Scott Harris
via email at sharris@ganconference.com or via phone at 312-432-5376.)

The International Network\'s World Elder Abuse Awareness Day Community
Resource Toolkit is freely available online (visit
[www.inpea.net](http://www.inpea.net/) and click on WEAAD in the left
column). The Office of Victims of Crime 2008 National Crime Victims
Rights Week Resource Guide is also online, and features pages devoted to
elder victimization (go to
<http://ovc.ncjrs.gov/ncvrw2008/welcome.html>).

Special thanks to Kathleen Quinn, Executive Director of National Adult
Protective Services Association, for contributing this article.

State News:

Delaware Celebrates 25 Years of Adult Protective Services

On Tuesday, April 29^th^, the Delaware Division of Services for Aging
and Adults with Physical Disabilities hosted an anniversary
commemorating of a quarter century of protecting vulnerable adults. The
conference was attended by over a hundred participants representing 23
agencies throughout the state, including sister agencies of the Delaware
Health and Social Services Department as well as members of the state
Attorney General\'s office, senior volunteers, and other organizations.
The theme of the conference was: \"Renewed, Refreshed, and Reaffirmed:
Staying the Course in Social Services.\"

Pamela Williams, the Administrator of the state\'s adult protective
services program, coordinated the event and served as moderator for the
days activities. The welcoming remarks delivered by Director Guy
Perrotti were followed by a brief video depicting the dynamics of elder
abuse in the family. Patricia Days-Wilmer, adult protective services
professional from the Milford office, provided a legislative chronology
of the development of adult protective services since 1983. She also
introduced the program\'s ten staff members and two supervisors, the
team responsible for covering all three counties.

NCEA participated in the event as well. Sharon Merriman-Nai provided a
national perspective on elder abuse, and highlighted the three
priorities of the NCEA: to encourage multidisciplinary, evidence-based
approaches to prevention and intervention; to address training needs of
involved professionals; and to generate sustained, national public
attention regarding the problem of elder abuse. She also urged
participants to remember that all older individuals could become
vulnerable to victimization when faced with certain life challenges,
losses, and other transitions.

Deputy Attorney General Susan Purcell and prosecutor Susan Barchi
described legislative characteristics that enable the Delaware
Department of Justice to more effectively prosecute cases of elder
abuse. Ms. Barchi spoke of the issues surrounding competency evaluation
that complicate investigation and prosecution, and offered guidance for
participants involved in documenting cases of suspected abuse and
exploitation. In particular, she cautioned professionals to choose their
written words carefully when describing their perceptions about a
vulnerable adult\'s capacity to make decisions.

State Attorney General Joseph \"Beau\" Biden, III also spoke,
emphasizing the need for collaboration among key stakeholders, and for
raising public awareness. He described elder abuse as an invisible
problem, akin to domestic violence nearly twenty years ago, and
applauded the efforts of the students of Cab Calloway School of the Arts
for their involvement in raising awareness. The Attorney General has
identified elder abuse prosecution as a priority of his office\'s Family
Division, and staff members are examining ways to centralize services to
senior victims.

\"I know that we can do a good job prosecuting elder abuse and
exploitation. But we need to do a much better job of identifying the
victims, and in preventing abuse.\"

Dr. Lee Nutter, an individual familiar to adult protective services
through presentations at the National Adult Protective Services
conferences, led an upbeat, at times provocative discussion entitled,
\"Renewing the Spirit Within.\" Dr. Nutter is a consultant with
extensive experience working with victims of violence and spiritual
healing. He urged participants to ask self-neglecting clients about the
role of trauma in their lives, particularly during childhood. In the
afternoon, Dr. Nutter also presented a workshop on \"Customer Service
through Teamwork,\" which emphasized the need to understand and
accommodate different organizational personalities as key to effective
collaboration. He stressed the need for organizational support to
frontline workers not only through opportunities for training and
education, but structured time for debriefing and supervision.

Psychologist Dr. David Mandelbaum also described the need to support
adult protective services professionals as they deal with emotionally
draining work in his presentation, \"Coping with Other\'s Trauma.\"
Drawing upon his own experiences in working with clients of all ages who
had been traumatized and, in some cases, repeatedly victimized, Dr.
Mandelbaum spoke of the differences between \"burnout\" and vicarious or
secondary traumatization. Secondary traumatization occurs when
professionals (or volunteers) are deeply and excessively affected by
their work with others who have been traumatized. This can be marked by
anxiety, depression, and problems with personal interactions and
relationships on the part of the professional. Like Dr. Nutter, he
encouraged organizational support for frontline professionals, and also
encouraged them to take care of themselves by maintaining a good support
system, getting exercise and good nutrition, and taking time to do what
they find enjoyable. An important aspect of dealing with secondary
traumatization is to realize that it is an occupational hazard, and to
be alert to its potential.

Ms. Williams concluded the day\'s activities by inviting participants to
join in a new statewide multidisciplinary effort entitled, PEACE
Delaware \-- Preventing Elder Abuse through Community Education. Quite
simply, the group\'s mission is to create opportunities for raising
public awareness throughout the state and across the generations. One
initiative under consideration is \"Seniors 2 Seniors,\" a project that
would involve pairing supervised high school students with older
individuals who need assistance. Those of you in Delaware interested in
becoming involved in PEACE can email Ms. Williams at:
<Pamela.williams@state.de.us>.

Special thanks to WSFS Bank, a longstanding Delaware business with a
history of community involvement, for donating door prizes to the NCEA
that were awarded as part of the day\'s festivities.

Congratulations to the DSAAPD Staff!

Is Your State Planning an Anniversary Celebration?

Because various state protective services programs developed at
approximately the same time, many states may be planning similar
commemorations. To share news of your state and local events, contact
<NCEA-INFO@aoa.hhs.gov>.

Funding Opportunities

The following funding opportunities are now available:

1\. Helping Outreach Programs to Expand Grants

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.

Application deadline: Open, dependent upon available funding.

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

2\. Fiscal Year 2008 National Field-Generated Training, Technical
Assistance, and Demonstration Projects Grants

These Office of Victim\'s of Crime awards are designed to support the
development of national initiatives that expand the capacity of service
providers to address the needs of crime victims. Elder abuse is one of
the program's areas of focus.

Application deadline: May 29, 2008

For more information, visit:
[www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/fund/pdftxt/FY08_fieldtraining.pdf](http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/ovc/fund/pdftxt/FY08_fieldtraining.pdf).

3\. Paul Coverdell Grant

The Paul Coverdell Forensic Science Improvement Grants Program awards
grants to states and units of local government to help improve the
quality and timeliness of forensic science and medical examiner
services. Funds may be used to eliminate backlogs in the analysis of
forensic evidence and to train and employ additional forensic laboratory
personnel.

Application deadline: May 30, 2008

For more information, visit:
<http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/sl000839.pdf>.

Scholarship Opportunity: National Center for Victims of Crime 2008
Conference

The National Center for Victims of Crimes is pleased to announce the
availability of a limited number of Law Enforcement Scholarships for
personnel who have been in the field at least one year to attend its
upcoming national conference. \"Responses, Rights, and Resources for
Crime Victims,\" will be held June 2 - 4, 2008, in Portland, Oregon.
Application forms are accessible online (visit:
[www.ncvc.org/education](http://www.ncvc.org/education), and click on
the 2008 National Conference). Applications will be accepted until May
20, 2008.

The conference features more than 130 leading experts and 80
skill-building workshops on a wide range of issues for those supporting
victims of crime. A sample of those include: Crimes against the Elderly:
Investigating Abuse and Financial Exploitation; and Understanding Scams
and Consumer Fraud.

For more information on these and other workshops, plenary speakers, and
registration, visit our conference web page at
[www.ncvc.org/education](http://www.ncvc.org/education).

Special thanks to Mary Lou Leary, Executive Director of the National
Center for Victims of Crime, for contributing this information.

National Association of State Units on Aging and the National
Association of Area Agencies on Aging Collaborate to Develop Project
2020

The National Association of State Units on Aging and the National
Association of Area Agencies on Aging have proposed Project 2020:
Fulfilling the Promise of the Older Americans Act. The proposal is
intended to encourage evidence-based best practices in community-based
long-term care to reduce the need for institutional care and prevent
\"spend down\" to Medicaid for elderly and disabled adults. Key features
of the plan include person-centered access to information;
evidence-based disease management and health promotion; and enhanced
nursing home diversion services

Funding would be administered by the Administration on Aging through
performance-based grants. The approach seeks to enhance and expand the
current aging network systems and programs; and to empower elderly and
disabled adults to make informed decisions and efficiently utilize and
customize community-based resources.

Federal Legislative Update: A Monthly Look at Federal Legislation and
Activity that May Impact the Lives of Older Americans

The Keeping Seniors Safe From Falls Act of 2007 (Senate bill 845 / House
Resolution 3701) was signed into law on April 23, 2008. Originally
introduced in the Senate by Michael Enzi (Republican - Wyoming) in March
2007 and in the House by Frank Pallone, Jr. (Democrat, New Jersey - 6)
in September 2007, the law directs "the Secretary of Health and Human
Services to expand and intensify programs with respect to research and
related activities concerning elder falls."

The Elder Abuse Victims Act of 2008 (House Resolution 5352), introduced
by Joe Sestak (Democrat, Pennsylvania - 7) in February to "protect
seniors in the U.S. from elder abuse by establishing specialized elder
abuse prosecution and research programs and activities to aid victims of
elder abuse, to provide training to prosecutors and other law
enforcement related to elder abuse prevention and protection," gained
additional support in April from Representatives John Conyers, Jr.
(Democrat, Michigan - 14) and Robert Scott (Democrat, Virginia - 3),
bringing the total number of cosponsors to 2 in the House.

House Resolution 5352
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h5352ih.txt.pdf>

The Elder Justice Act (Senate Bill 1070 / House Resolution 1783) gained
the support of Senators Richard Durbin (Democrat - Illinois) and Jeff
Bingaman (Democrat - New Mexico) and Representatives Barbara Lee
(Democrat, California - 9), Artur Davis (Democrat, Alabama - 7), Michael
Honda (Democrat, California - 15), John Conyers, Jr. (Democrat,
Michigan - 14) and Robert Scott (Democrat, Virginia - 3) in April,
bringing the total to 26 co-sponsors in the Senate and 108 co-sponsors
in the House of Representatives.

Senate bill1070
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:s1070is.txt.pdf>

House Resolution 1783
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h1783ih.txt.pdf>

The Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act of 2008 (Senate
Bill 2736 / House Resolution 2930), which seeks to "amend section 202 of
the Housing Act of 1959 to improve the program under such section for
supportive housing for the elderly," gained the support of Senators John
Kerry (Democrat - Massachusetts) and Carl Levin (Democrat - Michigan),
bringing the total number of co-sponsors to 5 in the Senate and 15 in
the House.

Senate Bill 2736
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:s2736is.txt.pdf>

House Resolution 2930
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h2930rfs.txt.pdf>

The Community Choice Act (Senate Bill 799 / House Resolution 1621) seeks
to "amend title XIX of the Social Security Act to provide individuals
with disabilities and older Americans with equal access to
community-based attendant services and supports, and for other
purposes." The bill gained additional support from Representatives Lois
Capps (Democrat, California - 23), Nick Rahall (Democrat, West
Virginia - 3), Jason Altmire (Democrat, Pennsylvania - 4), Bob Filner
(Democrat, California - 51) and Charles Gonzalez (Democrat, Texas - 20),
bringing the total number of co-sponsors to 89 in the House of
Representatives and 20 in the Senate.

Senate Bill 799
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:s799is.txt.pdf>

House Resolution1621
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h1621ih.txt.pdf>

The Alzheimer\'s Treatment and Caregiver Support Act (House Resolution
1032) gained additional support in April from Representatives Dale
Kildee (Democrat, Michigan - 5), G.K. Butterfield (Democrat, North
Carolina - 1), Doris Matsui (Democrat, California - 5), James McGovern
(Democrat, Massachusetts - 3), Emanuel Cleaver (Democrat, Missouri - 5)
and Tammy Baldwin (Democrat, Wisconsin - 2), bringing the total number
of co-sponsors to 77 in the House. The bill, which has been referred to
the House Subcommittee on Health, seeks to "amend the Public Health
Service Act to authorize grants for treatment and support services for
Alzheimer\'s patients and their families."

House Resolution 1032
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h1032ih.txt.pdf>

The Patient Safety and Abuse Prevention Act of 2007 (Senate Bill 1577
/House Resolution 3078), which aims to "amend the Social Security Act to
require screening of direct patient access employees of nursing
facilities, and other long-term care facilities and providers," gained
additional support from Representative Andre Carson (Democrat, Indiana -
7) in April, bring the total number of co-sponsors to 6 in the House and
15 in the Senate.

Senate Bill 1577
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:s1577is.txt.pdf>

House Resolution 3078
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h3078ih.txt.pdf>

The Senior Investor Protection Act of 2008 (S.2794) was introduced by
Senator Herb Kohl (Democrat - Wisconsin) on April 1, 2008. The bill
seeks to "protect older Americans from misleading and fraudulent
marketing practices, with the goal of increasing retirement security."

Senate Bill 2794
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:s2794is.txt.pdf>

The Elderly Care Tax Act of 2008 (House Resolution 703) was introduced
by Representative John Lewis (Democrat, Georgia - 5) on April 3, 2008.
The bill seeks to "amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to provide
that elderly and disabled individuals receiving in-home care under
certain government programs are not liable for the payment of employment
taxes with respect to the providers of such care, and for other
purposes." Representative Jim Ramstad (Republican, Minnesota - 3) has
also endorsed the bill.

House Resolution 5703
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h5703ih.txt.pdf>

The Senior Citizenship Act of 2008 (House Resolution 5750) was
introduced on April 9, 2008 by Representative Jerrold Nadler (Democrat,
New York - 8), "to amend the Immigration and Nationality Act to exempt
certain elderly persons from demonstrating an understanding of the
English language and the history, principles, and form of government of
the United States as a requirement for naturalization, and to permit
certain other elderly persons to take the history and government
examination in a language of their choice." The bill which also gained
the support of Representative James Moran (Democrat, Virginia - 8), has
been referred to the House Committee on the Judiciary.

House Resolution 5750
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:h5750ih.txt.pdf>

Senate Bill 2490 Reverse Mortgage Proceeds Protection Act is a bill
intended to prohibit authorized lenders of home equity conversion
mortgages from requiring seniors to purchase an annuity with the
proceeds of a reverse mortgage, and to provide other consumer
protections to reverse mortgage borrowers. The bill was sponsored by
Senator Claire McCaskill (Democrat -- Missouri) in December, 2007, and
co-sponsored by Senator Thomas Carper (Democrat -- Delaware) and Senator
Herb Kohl (Democrat -- Wisconsin). The bill was referred to the
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs in December.

Senate Bill 2490
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:s2490is.txt.pdf>

Senate Bill 2915, Safeguarding Social Security Numbers Act, was
introduced by Charles Schumer (Democrat -- New York) on April 24, 2008.
The bill would require uniform standards for truncating Social Security
account numbers to prevent fraud or identity theft. The bill has been
referred to the Committee on the Judiciary.

Senate Bill 2915
<http://frwebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi?dbname=110_cong_bills&docid=f:s2915is.txt.pdf>

Special thanks to Liz Kowalczyk of the University of Delaware Center for
Community Research and Service for compiling this update.

Elder Abuse Research

The Clearinghouse on Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly maintains an
annotated catalog of peer-reviewed literature on elder mistreatment and
related issues. The following are highlights of recently identified
publications. To search for additional references, visit
<http://www.cane.udel.edu/> . Special thanks to Liz Kowalczyk for
compiling this update.

Donohue, W., Dibble, J. & Schiamberg, L.

A Social Capital Approach to the Prevention of Elder Mistreatment

Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect; Volume 20 (1), pages 1-23; 2008.

Journal article (scholarship)

This paper explores the relationship between social capital and elder
mistreatment and explains how building social capital may actually help
to prevent elder abuse. The term "social capital" describes levels of
trust and cooperation between individuals and groups and can be
categorized as either bonding or bridging. Bonding social capital refers
to levels of trust and cooperation that exist between individuals while
bridging social capital refers to levels of trust and cooperation that
exist between groups. The authors hypothesize that increasing social
capital will increase caregivers' capacity to cope with stress, in turn
decreasing the likelihood that they will engage in elder mistreatment.
Special attention is paid to how social capital affects adult children
caring for an elderly parent, as research has shown that adult offspring
are the most common abusers of the elderly.

Alves, L. & Wilson, S.

The Effects of Loneliness on Telemarketing Fraud Vulnerability among
Older Adults

Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect; Vol. 20 (1), pages 63-85; 2008.

Journal article (research)

This study explored the link between loneliness and telemarketing fraud
victimization among elderly adults. Research has indicated that adults
aged 65 and older and are victimized by telemarketing fraud at much
higher rates than the rest of the population. Loneliness, which is
commonly experienced by older adults, has been identified as a risk
factor for telemarketing fraud. Elderly adults have been shown to be
more trusting and eager to socialize, often substituting interaction
with telemarketers for traditional social interaction, to cope with
loneliness. A sample of 28 adults, aged 60 and older, who had been
victims of telemarketing fraud, completed a survey which collected data
on demographic characteristics and assessed their perceived levels of
loneliness. Results of the survey indicated that victims were most
commonly single, college-educated men between the ages of 60 and 70.

Spensley, C.

The Role of Social Isolation of Elders in Recidivism of Self-Neglect
Cases at San Francisco Adult Protective Services

Journal of Elder Abuse & Neglect; Vol. 20 (1), pages 43-61; 2008.

Journal article (research)

This study assessed the impact of four risk factors -- social isolation,
mental health issues, cognitive impairment and substance abuse -- on
recidivism of elderly self-neglect cases. It was hypothesized that all
four risk factors would be positively associated with recurrence of
self-neglect. The charts of over 700 San Francisco adult protective
services clients, aged 65 and older, with documented self-neglect cases,
were examined. While cognitive impairment and substance abuse were found
to be positively associated with self-neglect recidivism, surprisingly
no significant relationship was found to exist between social isolation
or mental health concerns and self-neglect recidivism. Policy
implications and future research needs are discussed.

Calendar of Events

May 7-9, 2008

2008 Equal Justice Conference

Pursuing Justice: Balancing Challenges and Opportunities

Hilton Minneapolis

Minneapolis, MN

Website: <http://www.abanet.org/legalservices/ejc/>

Telephone: 312-988-5766

June 2-4, 2008

National Center for Victims of Crime 2008 Conference:

Responses, Rights, and Resources for Crime Victims

Hilton Portland & Executive Tower

Portland, OR

Website:
<http://www.ncvc.org/ncvc/main.aspx?dbID=DB_Training_Institute1160>

Telephone: 202-467-8725

June 15, 2008

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day

A Global Commemoration

For more information, visit the International Committee for the
Prevention of Elder Abuse online at:
[http://www.inpea.net](http://www.inpea.net/)

June 16- 17, 2008

World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2008:

Building Knowledge and Networks to Address Elder Abuse: Pathways to
Human Rights

Government Conference Centre

Ottawa, Ontario

For more information, visit the International Committee for the
Prevention of Elder Abuse at
[http://www.inpea.net](http://www.inpea.net/)

July 20 - 23, 2008

National Association of Area Agencies on Aging 33rd Annual Conference &
Tradeshow

Renaissance Nashville Hotel and the Nashville Convention Center
Nashville, TN

Website: <http://www.n4a.org/2008conf/nashville2008.cfm>

Telephone: 202-872-0888

August 26 - 29, 2008

The 19th Annual National Adult Protective Services Association
Conference

Adult Protective Services: Advocating, Protecting and Serving Vulnerable
Adults

Sheraton Chicago Hotel & Towers

Chicago, IL

Website: <http://www.apsnetwork.org/Training/conference.htm>

Telephone: 720-565-0906

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](../%20http://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:

1\. Clearinghouse on Abuse and Neglect of the Elderly (website:
[www.cane.udel.edu](http://www.cane.udel.edu/) )

2\. National Adult Protective Services Association (website:
[www.apsnetwork.org](http://www.apsnetwork.org/) )

3\. National Committee for the Prevention of Elder Abuse (website:
[www.preventelderabuse.org](http://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.