REPORT: Detecting, Addressing and Preventing Elder Abuse in Residential Care   A U.S. Department of Justice-funded study by Hawes and Kimbell examined state processes for detecting, investigating, resolving and preventing elder abuse in Residential Care Facilities.  They found a lack of adequate resources in all states and all agencies, as well as deeply flawed processes. The report highlights smart practices by Ombudsmen and identifies policy suggestions, training needs, and research recommendations.  http://www.ncjrs.gov/pdffiles1/nij/grants/229299.pdf

TOOLS: LTCFocUS.org website from Brown University maps and tabulates nursing home care data (such as facility characteristics, resident characteristics, staffing, and state LTC policies) by county, provider, and state.  http://ltcfocus.org

POLICY: Community Living Assistance Services and Supports (CLASS) Act    Projections indicate that nearly 2/3 of older Americans will need long-term care. Established by the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the CLASS program is a new federally administered voluntary insurance program to help individuals pay for long-term care services and supports. National Health Policy Forum explains the major legislative provisions of the CLASS program. http://www.nhpf.org/library/the-basics/Basics_CLASSAct_06-09-10.pdf

REPORT: California’s Elder Abuse Investigators: Ombudsmen Shackled by Conflicting Laws and Duties   California is one of four states relying on long-term care ombudsmen to investigate elder abuse and neglect in facilities. An investigation by the California Senate Office of Oversight and Outcomes found that ombudsmen intending to report mistreatment to other agencies are hampered by a requirement in the federal law to obtain consent from residents before releasing their names or forwarding their complaints. With funding cuts, ombudsmen say nearly all their resources are dedicated to investigations, drastically decreasing time for unannounced visits and other responsibilities. Several recommendations are made to improve the reporting process and enhance the ability of ombudsmen to act as an independent voice for the elderly.  http://www.centeronelderabuse.org/files/CA_EA_Inv_Ombudsman_2009.pdf

TOOLS:  World Institute on Disabilities’ Curriculum on Abuse Prevention and Empowerment (CAPE)   Abuse of people with disabilities creates a significant barrier to independent living and full integration into the community. WID has created a comprehensive training curriculum in English and Spanish, exploring fundamental issues of abuse, best-practices training approaches, and personal stories of resisting and recovering from abuse. CAPE focuses particularly on preventing abuse by anyone in a “helping role,” including informal or paid assistants, family members, and services providers. http://www.wid.org/publications/curriculum-on-abuse-prevention-and-empowerment-cape

RESEARCH:  Staff Perceptions of Elder Abuse   The aims of this Irish study were to ascertain perceptions of elder abuse among nurses and care assistants who worked in long-term care settings and whether staff had been educated on elder abuse. Thirty nine (59 per cent) nurses and 25 (52 per cent) care assistants were confident about recognizing elder abuse. Nevertheless, there was a high level of uncertainty about what constituted elder abuse. Nurses and care staff working with older people must be able to identify abusive situations and be confident that managers will support them to address the uncertainty surrounding this complex phenomenon.  Daly J, Coffey A. Nurs Older People. 2010 May;22(4):33-7. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20503678

ELDER ABUSE IN THE NEWS: Abuse by Medications   A review of state and federal reports found that inappropriate psychotropic drugs were given to thousands of Illinois nursing home residents since 2001. Part of the Chicago Tribune Watchdog series on Nursing Homes  http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/watchdog/nursinghomes/

REPORT: Costs of Home Care, Adult Day Health Care, Assisted Living and Nursing Homes   According to a national survey of nearly 13,000 providers, Genworth Financial found that over the past five years, the cost of care among facility-based providers has steadily increased while home care rates have stayed flat overall. The report shows past, current and projected costs for different types of care by state and by metropolitan regions nationwide.  http://genworth.com/costofcare   

FEATURED CONFERENCE: NAPSA - National Adult Protective Services Association Annual Conference--San Diego, California, Nov. 8-10, 2010  This annual conference provides expanded programs for APS line staff and administrators, LTC Ombudsmen, law enforcement, prosecutors and health care professionals. Presented by NAPSA, California District Attorneys Association, and UC Irvine’s Center of Excellence on Elder Abuse & Neglect. For program, registration, and hotel information visit www.apsnetwork.org/Training/conference2010.htm 

GERIATRIC POCKET DOC  Ever wish there was an easy-to-use reference for basic questions about geriatrics and elder abuse? UC Irvine Program in Geriatrics offers a portable guide which has been helpful for law enforcement, prosecutors, court personnel, social services workers, caregivers, and other non-physicians. For more information visit www.centeronelderabuse.org/page.cfm?pgid=58

PLEASE ADD centeronelderabuse@uci.edu to your address book!  

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