Saturday, February 9, 2013

The Forgotten Ones: Compassion for the Elderly



"Sometimes I just have to cry in my bed at night. You know, so nobody knows. I try to keep up a brave face, but sometimes I just have to cry." ~ A nursing home resident



Please call your local nursing home and volunteer to visit a lonely and forgotten resident. Your love may be the only love they receive. ♥

Source:
The Forgotten Ones: Compassion for the Elderly

Woman sentenced for financial exploitation of elder

RENO, Nev. (KRNV & MyNews4.com) -- Nevada Attorney General Catherine Cortez Masto announced that Carol Nanas, 62, of Reno, was sentenced today in a case of financial exploitation of an elder.

Masto says the investigation showed that Nanas withdrew money from the resident’s account, gambled some of the money and sent some of the money to a sick relative in the Philippines.

Full Article & Source:
Woman sentenced for financial exploitation of elder

Friday, February 8, 2013

The Elderly are Neglected and Forgotten

The elderly are neglected and “forgotten” by society because people don’t want to be reminded of their own mortality, the comedian Ricky Gervais has said.

Gervais, whose most recent comedy series is set in an old people’s home, says public figures and Hollywood stars should speak out for the elderly.
“No one cares. They're forgotten, bewildered, and I don't think it's because people are cruel or don't care. It's because you don't want to think about your own mortality.

“I think people don't talk about it enough. There's a strange arrogance. Sometimes being old is used as an insult, which is bizarre because, if you're lucky, that's literally going to happen to you,” he told the Observer.

Full Article and Source:
Rickey Gervais: The Elderly Are Neglected and Forgotten

Thursday, February 7, 2013

Lawless America: Sharyn Eklund





Source:
Lawless America: Sharon Eklund

Escondido Attorney Agrees to be Disbarred

An atttorney in Escondido recently admitted to stealing $275,000 from an elderly client's inheritance and has agreed to be disbarred.

Sydney Claire Kirkland drained all but $10,000 from a trust account that an 80-year-old client set up. That client put the money in a client trust account with Kirkland, who had previously done legal work for him. In June 2011, the county's adult protective services got a complaint from a bank manager and intervened. When APS questioned Kirkland, she lied to the agency. In addition to being disbarred, Sydney Claire Kirkland faces criminal charges of grand theft and stealing from an elderly adult. Kirkland became ineligible to practice law on January 19.

Full Article & Source:
Escondido Attorney Agrees to be Disbarred

LETTER: State physician-assisted-suicide law dangerous

Our state government is considering a bill (S.B. No. 48) to make physician-assisted suicide legal.

This bill, introduced by Sen. Edward Meyer, is a dangerous precedent of the codification of state sanctioned euthanasia. Albeit it is self-inflicted, it is euthanasia nonetheless.

To give this power to the government is to surrender an inalienable right that should only be held by the individual.

I do not claim that those suffering from a painful and incurable disease should not be allowed the dignity of a peaceful and painless passing. However, I do deny the need of our state government, or any government, to make such a law. Such issues of life and of death are the sole purview of the individual.

Many people are weary of the “slippery slope” argument because of its misuse in the debates on gay marriage. But, if this bill is passed then we would be taking that first step toward state sanctioned euthanasia.

Sure, one could argue that cooler heads would prevail and that the brakes would firmly be applied before we hit such a grotesque landmark.

However, consider Belgium, which is now considering an expansion of a physician-assisted suicide law to include the mentally impaired and children. Belgium, a post-industrial, modern society, secular and liberal, entertains the idea that it would be acceptable to make the most vulnerable members of their society candidates for euthanasia.

Full Article & Source:
LETTER: State physician-assisted-suicide law dangerous

Wednesday, February 6, 2013

Lawless America: Diane Wilson


Source:
YouTube: Lawless America: Diane Wilson
See Also:
NASGA: Dorothy Wilson, New York Victim

Fake Attorney Indicted for Repeatedly Practiciing Law Without a License

Mannhattan District Attorney Cyrus R. Vance, Jr., today announced the indictment of TERENCE KINDLON, JR., 42, for practicing law without a license and filing false documents while unlawfully representing a criminal defendant. KINDLON was charged in New York State Supreme Court with three counts of Offering a False Instrument for Filing in the First Degree and two counts of Unauthorized Practice of Law.

“Simply put, it is a crime to practice law without a license,” said District Attorney Vance. “The rules governing lawyers exist to protect those in need of competent representation before our courts. This defendant was an imposter who abused the trust of his purported clients for his own financial gain.”

Full Article and Source:
Press Release:  Fake Attorney Indicted for Repeatedly Practicing Law Without a License

Tuesday, February 5, 2013

Editorial: Exposing Guardian Devils - NJ Supreme Tightens Watch of Guardians

Too many times the courts have entrusted the well-being of dependent individuals to guardians who promise protection, then steadily swindle them for the rest of their lives.

These guardians come with the highest credentials — attorneys, professionals and, in one Ocean County case, a minister who was also a licensed social worker. With nothing in their reputations or resumes to suggest they are other than upstanding citizens, these scoundrels gain control of the bank accounts and legal affairs of their wards.

Soon, however, the guardians will have guards watching for signs of this most despicable crime.

Last week, New Jersey Supreme Court Chief Justice Stuart Rabner Announced that teams of volunteer watchdogs  will monitor the legal guardians for tens of thousands disabled and elderly people. They’ll be on the lookout for theft or abuse of power.

The Volunteer Guardianship Monitoring Program will train people to scan the annual expense reports all legal guardians are required to file with the county and look for any “red flags” that suggest possible mismanagement, as The Star-Ledger’s Susan Livio reported last week.

While the vast majority of court-appointed guardians are caring and responsible, the audacity of those who prey on the powerless is breathtaking. An Ocean County lawyer, for instance, stole millions from his physically and mentally handicapped clients who had no heirs or next of kin.

For each high-profile case, there could be hundreds of other smaller swindles.

The innovative statewide program, set to launch soon in Mercer, includes a database that will facilitate tracking and investigation. The most important resource, however, will be the volunteers.

It is, as the chief justice says, a noble aim to shield those depending on guardians from larceny.

A federal measure in the works would complement New Jersey’s vigilance on legal guardians. Sen. Bob Casey of Pennsylvania is calling for better screening of the 5.6 million representative payees who annually handle $61 billion in Social Security payments for 7.6 million beneficiaries.

The push stems from a Philadelphia case in which a woman allegedly kept disabled captives drugged and wounded in a filthy basement after tricking them into signing over their benefits to her. She was able to collect those checks even though she’d served time for starving a man to death.

During a five-state test of Casey’s measure, dozens of people convicted of fraud and violence were prevented from becoming the managers of another individual’s Social Security payments.

Implemented on a national level, this safeguard would work in tandem with the guardian-monitoring program to protect some of New Jersey’s most vulnerable residents.

Source:
Editorial:  Exposing Guardian Devils - NJ Supreme Court Tightens Watch of Guardians

See Also:
Good News for New Jersey: Guardianships Get a Safety Net

Radio show host and attorney Warren Ballentine indicted

An attorney out of Chicago and national radio show host for the Radio One Network has been indicted after being accused of defrauding lenders out of more than $10 million. The indictment has been announced by the US Attorney's Office, where Ballentine is being accused of working with others to secure mortgages that were later deemed to be fraudulent.

The indictment includes six counts, including bank and wire fraud. Each count with a maximum prison term of 30 years. He could also be fined up to $10 million dollars on every count. He is set to be arraigned on February 5.

Prosecutors claim that Ballentine owns a law firm in suburban Country Club Hills, but he lives in Durham, North Carolina right now.

Dr. Boyce Watkins, a Finance Professor who has appeared on Ballentine's show, says that people shouldn't judge until the evidence is presented.

Full Article & Source:
Radio show host and attorney Warren Ballentine indicted

Aging America: Elder Abuse, Use of Shelters Rising

She raises her hands to her snow-white hair in a gesture of frustrated bewilderment, then slowly lowers them to cover eyes filling with tears. The woman, in her 70s, is trying to explain how she wound up in a shelter that could well be where she spends the rest of her life.

While the woman was living with a close family member, officials at the Shalom Center say, her money was being drained away by people overcharging for her grocery shopping, while her body and spirit were sapped by physical neglect and emotional torment. She says she was usually ordered to "go to bed," where she lay in a dark room, upset, unable to sleep.

"She just yelled at me all the time. Screamed at me, cussed me out," the woman says of a family member. "I don't know what happened. She just got tired of me, I guess."

The Shalom Center offers shelter, along with medical, psychological and legal help, to elderly abuse victims in this northern Cincinnati suburb. It is among a handful in the country that provide sanctuary from such treatment, a problem experts say is growing along with the age of the nation's population.

The number of Americans 65 and over is projected to nearly double by 2030 because of the 74 million baby boomers born in 1946-64, and the number of people 85 and over is increasing at an even faster rate. The number of seniors being abused, exploited or neglected every year is often estimated at about 2 million, judging by available statistics and surveys, but experts say the number could be much higher. Some research indicates that 1 in 10 seniors have suffered some form of abuse at least once.

Full Article and Source:
Aging America:  Elder Abuse, Use of Shelters Rising

Monday, February 4, 2013

N.J. Courts Offer More Protections for Incapacitated

New Jersey is launching a volunteer program to monitor legal guardians across the state.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Rabner says the new program will help ensure that those being cared for by a legal guardian are treated properly.

Rabner says the increased oversight is needed as the population ages and more legal guardians will be appointed to serve.

He says most, but not all, are caring and responsible.

Legal guardians are appointed by the courts to make decisions for an incapacitated person about personal and medical care, residence, transportation and finances.

The volunteer monitors will review guardian files and annual written reports that legal guardians are required to file.

The Judiciary has also developed a statewide database to track guardianships.

Full Article and Source:
N.J. Courts Offer More Protections for incapacitated

See Also:
Good News for New Jersey: Guardianships Get a Safety Net

YouTube Video Alleging Elder Abuse Probed

A YouTube video purporting to show elder abuse at the University Town Center in Irvine gained attention online last week and sparked a police investigation.

In the clip, the unseen videographer confronts a man who has wheeled an elderly woman to the passenger-side door of a Toyota Prius.

"Is this your mom? Why do you exploit her?" he asks.

However, Irvine police say they've been aware of the video since a few days after it was posted Dec. 5.

"None of this is news to us. We were a month into this investigation before anyone was talking about it," Irvine police spokeswoman Lt. Julia Engen said.

Both Adult Protective Services and Irvine police have spoken to the woman and man shown in the video as part of a cooperative investigation, the lieutenant said.

Police are still digging but Engen said they've so far found no indication of foul play.

Despite the dramatic exchanges, "What you see on that video, there's no evidentiary value there," Engen said.

Source:
YouTube Video Alleging Elder Abuse Probed by Irvine Police

Watch the YouTube Video

Lawyer Who Had Relationship With Judge Won't Face Discipline

The State Bar of Nevada has declined to discipline a former prosecutor who had a relationship with embattled Family Court Judge Steven Jones while appearing before him.

The relationship between former Deputy District Attorney Lisa Willardson and Jones led to a Nevada Commission on Judicial Discipline complaint last month against the judge, who also is facing a federal indictment in what authorities allege was an unrelated $3 million investment fraud scheme.

Bar Counsel David Clark said  that his organization, which regulates lawyers, told Willardson that it won't sanction her over her relationship with Jones, which began in late 2011.

Clark said he reviewed videotapes of the judge's courtroom and found that Willardson appeared before Jones only during the relationship in uncontested matters that did not harm the integrity of the legal system.

Full Article and Source:
Lawyer Who Had Relationship With Judge Won't Face Discipline

Sunday, February 3, 2013

Tonight on T.S. Radio: Hastening End of Life






Join Marti Oakley and Beverly Newman for a discussion this evening on the "hastening of end of life" In addition we will be discussing the Baker Act of Florida.

5:00 PST … 6:00 MST … 7:00 CST … 8:00 EST

T.S. Radio:  Hastening End of Life

Lawless America: "Meet Me in DC" February 5th

Meet Me in DC looks like it will be Standing Room Only.

As RSVP's continue to come in, I realize that we have a very real problem in that the hotel ballroom only holds 290 people.

It now appears that we will have far more. Please understand that I always felt 200 was a realistic expectation based upon the solid RSVP's we had as of a month ago. So, we just do the best we can with what we have.

There is nothing quite as impressive as a packed house. Looks like we will have one or two or three....

We have 500 capacity in the Capitol theaters the night of the 6th. So, if you want a seat, we suggest that you come early for the 2-5 pm event in the Ballroom on the 6th and/or the 5:30-8:30 pm event at the Capitol on the 6th. There are now 78 scheduled speakers with many more speaking from the audience at the session from 2 - 5 pm on February 6.

Source and For More Information:
LawlessAmerica.com

Current Women’s Equality Issues Public Policy Conference




CANHR's Executive Director Patricia McGinnis will be a speaker at the Current Women’s Equality Issues Public Policy Conference on Saturday February 9, 2013 at the Ontario Airport Hotel in Ontario, CA.

For More Information

Editorial: CO Should Make Reporting of Elder Abuse Mandatory

The Denver Post editorial board laid out a plan for how to improve the state in five easy (legislative) steps.

I'd like to suggest a sixth step is needed: mandatory reporting of elder abuse.

Colorado is one of only three states that does not have a law specifically protecting our elder population from physical, sexual, caretaker and financial harm by requiring those in a position of awareness to report suspected abuse.

Last year, our legislature created a task force to study the issue. It recommended a system of mandatory reporting for the mistreatment and exploitation of at-risk persons over 70 years of age.
Gov. John Hickenlooper has dedicated $5 million to put into place the policies and procedures needed for adult protective services to be resourced appropriately to be effective. It is now time to move from studying the issue to acting on it by passing the upcoming legislation sponsored by state Sen. Evie Hudak, D-Westminster, state Rep. Sue Schafer, D-Wheat Ridge, and Rep. Amy Stephens, R-Monument. Their efforts would commit the resources that Colorado's seniors need to help protect them from harm.

Full Editorial and Source:
Colorado Should Make Reporting of Elder Abuse Mandatory, Suthers Says