The 12^th Annual

 William J. Neff Sr. Symposium on the Prevention of Crimes Against Older Adults

2015 

 

The Purpose

In September 2000, William J. Neff, Sr., an 83 year old man with Alzheimer's, residing at a  local personal care home, died as a result of five broken ribs and a punctured lung.  Following a two-year criminal investigation, a health care provider was charged with Murder and Neglect of a Care-Dependent Person.  In addition, the Administrator of the facility, the Director of Nursing, another resident assistant and a hospice nurse were criminally charged.

In 2003, all of the health care professionals were convicted of criminal  offenses stemming from Mr. Neff’s death.  As a result of the criminal case, the Bucks County Crimes Against Older Adults Task Force sponsors this annual symposium to bring together law enforcement officers, health care and social service                  professionals to provide education, heighten awareness and facilitate communication. 

THIS IS A FREE EVENT.  REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO 300 PEOPLE.

8:30 to 9:00                 Registration and Continental Breakfast                                          

9:00 to 9:15                 Welcome and Introductions 

9:15 to 10:00               Keynote Part I: Making Progress on Elder Justice: Successes and Next                                       Steps

 Presenter: Robert Blancato, President of Matz Blancato and Associates and National Coordinator of the Elder Justice Coalition

This session will provide a policy and advocacy update on elder justice initiatives and programs. Topics will include the Elder Justice Act, its history and its future; the federal appropriations process and the Elder Justice Initiative; the work of the Elder Justice Coordinating Council; and other opportunities for advocacy to address and prevent elder abuse, fraud, and exploitation.

10:15 to 10:30            Break and Networking                                                          

10:30-11:45                Keynote Part II: Lighten Up! They who Laugh, Last

Presenter: Paul McGhee, PhD, President, The Laughter Remedy

This entertaining program is guaranteed to get you laughing as it shows you the importance of keeping your sense of humor in your work with seniors.   Special attention is given to how humor boosts emotional resilience, helping to sustain a frame of mind conducive to consistently providing the quality of support and service you want to provide to seniors.

11:45 to 12:45             Complimentary Luncheon

 12:45 to 2:15              Breakout Trainings 1                                                       

1. Seniors and Sex….Let’s Talk!  Presenter: Terri Clark, MPH, CHES, Action Aids

Despite the cultural stereotype that seniors are sexless, they do have sexuality related needs and desires. Unfortunately, older adults are faced with many challenges including not having access to information and lack of understanding from medical professionals.  This workshop will discuss the importance of addressing sexuality and aging. 

 2 .World Elder Abuse Awareness Day  Presenter: Kathy Bennett, MSW/LSW, Associate Director, Network of Victim Assistance (NOVA), Bucks County Crimes Against Older Adults Task Force

The United Nations (UN) has designated June 15 as World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD). World Elder Abuse Awareness Day brings together senior citizens, their caregivers, and governments to combat the problem of elder abuse. The day aims to focus global attention on the problem of physical, emotional, and financial abuse of elders. It also seeks to understand the challenges and opportunities presented by an ageing population, and brings together senior citizens, and their caregivers, national and local government, academics, and the private sector to exchange ideas about how best to reduce incidents of violence towards elders, increase reporting of such abuse, and to develop elder friendly policies.  This workshop will highlight WEAAD and foster a creative environment for planning for WEAAD activities and events by participants.

3. Attorney-In-Fact duties under the new Power of Attorney Law Presenter: Donald Petrille, Jr., Esquire, Register of Wills & Clerk of Orphans' Court

This workshop will present information that is essential for all professionals working with older adults to understand about financial power of attorney including: the definition of wills and power of attorney; types of power of attorney; and who can make a power of attorney. In July, 2014, Pennsylvania enacted new provisions in its power of attorney law, changing the standards for attorneys-in-fact.  Review the new forms and the new duties.

2:15 to 2:30                 Break 

2:30 to 4:00                 Breakout Trainings 2

1.  Financial Fraud and Exploitation of Older Adults: It’s a Crime!  Presenter: Ronald Long, Senior Vice President, Director of Regulatory Affairs & Elder Client Initiatives at Wells Fargo Advisors, LLC

This program will address the problem of financial crimes against the elderly. It begins by describing the problem and reviewing risk factors. It then identifies a series of questions to help you analyze your local problem. Finally, it reviews responses to the problem and describes the conditions under which they are most effective.

Financial crimes against the elderly fall under two general categories: fraud committed by strangers, and financial exploitation by relatives and caregivers. These categories sometimes overlap in terms of target selection and the means used to commit the crime. However, the differences in the offender-victim relationships suggest different methods for analyzing and responding to the problem.

 2. Substance Abuse and Iatrogenic Addiction in the Elderly  Presenter: David Fialko, Prevention Specialist at The Council of Southeast PA

The growing needs of the elderly and the scope of substance disorders and iatrogenic addiction will be explored. The complexity of continuity of care between multiple providers and the typical amount of medications prescribed to elderly patients is highlighted and related to more effective practices

of care. Participants will engage in an open forum wherein the strategies useful to detecting underlying conditions or disorders during the assessment process are discussed.

 3. PTSD in Veterans and Older Adults and Services for Veterans in Bucks County  Presenter: Jeffrey P. Hoerger, LPC, Team Leader, Bucks County Vet Center 

Risk factors for PTSD include the type of trauma, degree of exposure and any prior history of trauma.  In most cases, there is a direct physical impact.  Proximity in witnessing violent, life-threatening events also makes a difference. This workshop will explore PTSD in veterans as well as provide an overview of the services available to veterans in Bucks County.

4:15                   Basket Raffle in Auditorium

 

THIS IS A FREE EVENT.  

REGISTRATION IS LIMITED TO 300 PEOPLE.

Approval for Continuing Education Credits: 

5.0 CE credits pending through NAB Nursing Home Admininistrators 

5.0 CE credits pending for Personal Care 

 5.0 CE credits pending through Pennsylvania State Board of Social Work, Marriage and Family Therapists and Professional Licensed Counselors.

 

5.0 CE credits pending through Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing.

 

Thank You to Our 2015 Host and Sponsors:

Bucks County Community College

Bucks County Area Agency on Aging

HCR ManorCare

Life St. Mary

Register Now!