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February 13, 2012
Binyamin Rose: Back to the Bunker: How a life-risking act by a Christian family during the Holocaust saved a family and built a thriving community a world away
Menachem Wecker: Business Schools Teach Real Estate Despite Troubled Housing Market
February 10, 2012
Lisa M. Krieger: Man with defibrillator demands access to his own heart's information
David G. Savage: Why activists may not be in a hurry to have High Court rule on alternative marriage
February 9, 2012
Laura McMullen: 10 Least Expensive Public Schools for Out-of-State Students
Kimberly Palmer: How to actually enjoy -- relaxing, financially -- your vacation
February 8, 2012
Warren Richey: Why momentous Prop. 8 ruling might not satisfy gay-rights groups
Menachem Wecker: Though Controversial, LL.M.'s Can Lead to Specialized Legal Jobs
The Kosher Gourmet byDana Velden: Going to the bother of making soup? You know it better be good. This CREAM OF TOMATO SOUP certainly is! And it's a cinch to make, too (Includes techinques and serving secrets)
February 7, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney, Jr.: Caught off-guard? President's Super Bowl interview with Matt Lauer gives those who need a reason not to vote for him, a darn good one
Suzanne Bohan: Leaping lizards! Tiny reptiles advancing robot design
February 6, 2012
Jonathan Tobin: Iran Threatens Israel With Destruction, But the New York Times Doesn't Hear It
Jeffrey Fleishman: In newly democratic Egypt, tens of democracy activists jailed, to stand trial; their groups are 'threatening the stability of the homeland'
Julie Deardorff : Researchers say antioxidants may not be that effective and could do more harm than good
Mark Clayton: How did Anonymous hackers eavesdrop on FBI and Scotland Yard?
February 3, 2012
Edmund Sanders : Israeli official says Iran is creating missile that could reach East Coast of US
Victoria Kim: Immigrant-smuggling ring used black drivers to avoid racial profiling
February 2, 2012
Jim Carney: Wrong number call may have saved her life
Reza Kahlili : Ex-CIA spy in Iran's Revolutionary Guard: What Obama doesn't grasp about striking deals with Tehran
Tina Susman: For woodchuck rescuer, every day is Groundhog Day
February 1, 2012
Brian Bennett: US officials see increasing threat of domestic attack from Iran
Emily Brandon: How to Take Advantage of New 401(k) Fee Disclosures
January 31, 2012
January 30, 2012
Paul Richter and Ramin Mostaghim: Misreading Teheran's limits -- deadly and economically devastating as they may be -- is a risk administration, Europe seem willing to take
Suzanne Bohan: Warning: Nap-deprived tots missing more than sleep, study finds
Meg Handley: Banks Revamping Rewards Programs to Woo Customers
January 27, 2012
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Yochonon Donn: In liberal New York City, fervently-Orthodox Jews may soon be getting a district to call their own
Jeannine Stein: An inflated ego and thinking you're 'all that' doesn't just make others sick of you, it can make you ill
Katy Hopkins: New budget rules may affect how much money you get for college
January 26, 2012
Ed Koch: To the New York Times, calling for the murder of Jews by those capable of having their incitement taken seriously isn't news
Jeannine Stein: Mental illness struck one in five U.S. adults in 2010: Report
January 25, 2012
Richard Simon: House passes two bills endorsing the use of religious symbols at military memorials
Fred Weir: Putin: Multiethnic Russia cannot survive as a US-style 'melting pot'; must find its own way
Susan Johnston: 5 Sneaky Coupon Strategies Consumers Should Watch Out For
January 24, 2012
Carol Clark: The price of your soul: How your brain decides whether to 'sell out'
Caroline B. Glick: America lost most in 'Arab Spring'. Sadly, many voters still don't grasp the extent
Warren Richey: Drug criminal scores win in GPS ruling from conservative-leaning high court
Erika Bolstad: Black conservatives gather to talk about gaining strength
January 23, 2012
Melissa Dribben: Jewish voters to play a key role in Florida's Republican primary
Jordan Rau: In quest to grow, Catholic hospital system will announce this morning its break from church
Ali Safi: U.S. envoy gives Taliban terms for peace talks
January 19, 2012
January 18, 2012
January 17, 2012
Frank J. Gaffney Jr.: No-kidding red lines: U.S. response to an Iranian nuke may be bluster, but Israel's won't be
David G. Savage: They sued their principals after slandering them online --- now the cases are headed to the Supreme Court
David Francis: Where to Invest in 2012: With stocks expected to rebound, opportunity abounds for investors
January 13, 2012
Ben Lynfield: Israeli lawmakers move to annex Jewish Judea, one museum at a time
Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz: Thriving through touch: Gentle massage helps older people with low mobility improve in mind and body
January 12, 2012
Warren Richey: Landmark Supreme Court ruling a 'resounding win' for religious groups
Warren Richey: Supreme Court says no to new rule on eyewitness testimony
John Fauber : Statins found to raise diabetes risk in postmenopausal women
Katy Hopkins : Consider This Before You Pay for an Online Degree
The Kosher Gourmet by Joseph Erdos: This mushroom and barley soup has an intense -- almost nutty -- flavor that mixes robust with Middle East. It has creaminess without cream
January 11, 2012
Shari Roan: Millions of atrial fibrillation sufferers at risk for devastating, but preventable, stroke
Tom Hussain: Pakistan -- recipient of more than $21 billion in civilian and military aid -- speeds pursuit of Iranian pipeline, defying US
David G. Savage: High court signals it won't be loosening TV's 'indecency' rules
Stephen Ceasar: Oklahoma's Islamic law amendment can't go into effect, court rules
January 10, 2012
Reza Kahlili: From an ex-CIA spy: US must exploit new split in Iran's Revolutionary Guard
Karen Kaplan: Study: Nicotine replacement products ineffective when used in real-life situations
January 9, 2012
Michael Doyle: Put through legal hell over dream home, couple fought back hard --- all the way to Supreme Court
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Jewish World Review
August 14, 2006
/ 20 Menachem-Av, 5766
Stopping the growing problem of elder abuse
By
Jan L. Warner & Jan Collins
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com |
TO OUR READERS: The recent allegation that 104-year-old Brooke Astor (a multimillionaire who, for decades, was one of New York's foremost socialites and philanthropists) was living in squalor made for juicy media headlines. But few reporters went beyond the headlines to focus on the bigger story: The growing elder-abuse crisis in the United States. Here are some of the facts:
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As many as 5 million elderly Americans are injured, exploited or mistreated every year by someone on whom they depend for care or protection, according to the U.S. Senate Special Committee on Aging.
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For every one case of abuse reported to authorities, about five go unreported, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse (www.elderabusecenter.org).
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Family members are more often the abusers than any other group, with adult children and spouses being the most common perpetrators.
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Forty percent of states with guardianship programs don't have a protocol in place to make regular visits to the elderly with whose care they are charged, leaving them open to physical, emotional and financial abuse, according to the AARP.
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The elder abuse crisis will grow as that large cohort of Americans known as the baby boomers ages. The oldest boomers are now 60 years old.
Elder abuse is usually divided into the following categories: physical abuse; sexual abuse; domestic violence; psychological abuse; financial abuse; neglect; and abandonment. Financial abuse the illegal or improper use of an older person's funds, property or resources is the most frequent type of elder abuse, according to Patricia Drea, a registered nurse and vice president of Visiting Angels Assisted Living Services, a Pennsylvania-based firm that provides care for older people in their homes so that they can live independently for as long as possible.
In an interview with NextSteps, Drea had some good advice for seniors on how they can avoid becoming victims of elder abuse, and on what families, friends and neighbors can do to protect their loved ones from abuse.
For starters, if an elderly person is being abused, "the most important thing is for them to tell at least one other person a doctor, a friend, a family member," says Drea. (Of course, if the situation is serious, the senior or a friend or neighbor should call 911, the police or a nearby hospital.) There are other national resources, too, that will help seniors and their families and friends find services in their community:
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The Eldercare Locator (800-677-1116) directs callers to local programs and services, including legal assistance, support services, adult day care programs and many others.
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INFOLINK (800-FYI-CALL) directs callers to the closest, most appropriate services for victims of crime, including crisis intervention, assistance with the criminal justice process, counseling and support groups.
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The National Domestic Violence Hotline (800-799-SAFE) links callers to domestic violence shelters, legal advocacy and assistance programs, and social service programs.
Seniors need to know, says Drea, that "they don't have to stand for this (abuse), and that there are resources out there that can prevent further abuse and, in most cases, still maintain the relationship with the loved one who is doing this."
The warning signs of physical, emotional and sexual abuse are many, including bruises, pressure marks, broken bones, abrasions and burns, according to the National Center on Elder Abuse. Bedsores, unattended medical needs, poor hygiene and unusual weight loss are indicators of possible neglect. Unexplained withdrawal from normal activities, unusual depression or strained/tense relationships between the caregiver and the elderly person are also possible signs of abuse.
Some indicators of financial abuse? Drea says to look for unpaid bills, bank withdrawals and transfers that the older person doesn't know about, bank statements and canceled checks that no longer come to the senior's house, a new person taking unexplained interest in an older person, and new legal documents suddenly appearing that the older person doesn't understand or doesn't remember signing.
In terms of preventing financial abuse, seniors can protect themselves by having financial arrangements in place before they get into a situation of not being able to manage their own affairs.
"People think that day is never going to come," says Drea, "but it often does. People need expert advice before a crisis occurs."
We second that. As we have been telling our readers for years, it is vitally important to have updated wills, durable financial powers of attorney and health care documents in place. It is also imperative to engage someone (an elder-law attorney and/or certified public accountant) to review assets and ensure that the necessary steps have been taken to protect resources for your care before there is a crisis.
Every weekday JewishWorldReview.com publishes what many in in the media and Washington consider "must-reading". Sign up for the daily JWR update. It's free. Just click here.
JAN L. WARNER received his A.B. and J.D. degrees from the University of South Carolina and earned a Master of Legal Letters (L.L.M.) in Taxation from the Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia. He is a frequent lecturer at legal education and public information programs throughout the United States. His articles have been published in national and state legal publications. Jan Collins began co-authoring Flying SoloŽ in 1989. She has more than 27 years of experience as a journalist, writer, and editor. To comment or ask a question, please click here.
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