Finding illustrates need to report suspected problems, expert says

First Posted Posted August 4, 2009.

By Serena Gordon
HealthDay Reporter

TUESDAY, Aug. 4 (HealthDay News) — When seniors stop taking proper care of themselves, their risk for death increases nearly sixfold, a new study shows.

In addition, elderly people who are abused physically, emotionally, financially or through withdrawal of care don’t fare much better. Their risk for dying more than doubles, the researchers report.

“Elder self-neglect and abuse really have severe consequences,” said study author Dr. XinQi Dong, an associate professor of medicine at Rush University Medical Center in Chicago.  Read more... (725 words, 2 images, estimated 2:54 mins reading time)

Advocate Advises How To Protect Loved Ones.

(CBS) Investigating physical abuse and outright neglect of patients, CBS News has been exposing the horrors inside some of this country’s nursing homes.

If you’re wondering what the government is doing about this, CBS News Correspondent Vince Gonzales reports the answer is: not nearly enough.A distress call came from a frightened family.

“I was told you could be helpful to me, and I’m really anxious to talk to you,” said a voice on Ila Swan’s answering machine.

It’s a call to action for Swan of the Association for Protection of the Elderly.  Read more... (608 words, 3 images, estimated 2:26 mins reading time)

A Caregiver Berates an Elderly Man in a Public Park; Will Passers-By Take Action? Would you?

What do you do when faced with a difficult decision?

Would you react differently if you knew someone was watching?

What if your dinner out was ruined by kids running wild and out of control while an oblivious parent ignored the chaos?

What do you do when faced with a difficult decision?

Would you react differently if you knew someone was watching?

What if your dinner out was ruined by kids running wild and out of control while an oblivious parent ignored the chaos?  Read more... (585 words, 3 images, estimated 2:20 mins reading time)

A 73-year-old former Edmonton man convicted of tying his mother to a chair and threatening to throw her off a balcony was today placed on 12 months probation.

However, the judge in the case told the wheelchair-bound Clifford Morin if he had been younger, healthier or without reasons for his behaviour toward his now-deceased mother, he would have sent him off to a penitentiary.

“I would not have had the slightest hesitation in sending you to jail,” said Justice Jack Watson, noting the elderly members of society must be protected by the law.  Read more... (588 words, 3 images, estimated 2:21 mins reading time)

t is a tale of two towns that speaks volumes about the state of Britain’s health.

In the affluent Moreton Hall area of Bury St Edmunds in Suffolk, average life expectancy is 93.4 years – the highest in the country.

But in the deprived Middlehaven district in Middlesbrough, it’s 67.8 – the lowest.

That is a difference of almost 26 years, a startling statistic revealed in a report into heart disease and stroke by the health watchdog, the Care Quality Commission.

Its study highlights the postcode lottery of care in the Health Service and exposes massive variations in the quality of services for sufferers of cardiovascular disease (CVD).  Read more... (626 words, 3 images, estimated 2:30 mins reading time)

The number of people who have reached the age of 100 has broken the 10,000 barrier for the first time, figures showed yesterday.

Analysts have put the booming figures of the very elderly down to major improvements over past decades in medical treatment, hygiene, sanitation, nutrition, housing and living standards.

Data from the Office for National Statistics puts the count of centenarians in England and Wales last year at 9,640, a level far ahead of any recorded in the past.

The rate of increase of numbers of very old people is now such that the total is certain to have passed 10,000.  Read more... (397 words, 3 images, estimated 1:35 mins reading time)

There can be few crusaders as selfless in their pursuit of justice on behalf of the helpless as lawyer Yvonne Hossack.

Her campaign has consumed her life for seven years. It has also brought her to the brink of bankruptcy, jeopardised her health and exerted such intolerable pressure on her personal life that it has ended her 23-year marriage.

She has lost her home, her car, her peace of mind and every penny of her savings. She has worked tirelessly and without remuneration on behalf of clients who would otherwise not have a voice.  Read more... (2238 words, 3 images, estimated 8:57 mins reading time)

Yvonne Hossack has dedicated her life to helping the elderly and disabled. She saved 80 care homes from closure. Yesterday, after a witch hunt by council leaders, she was allowed to continue with her crusade.

By Robert Verkaik, Law editor

First Published 19th September 2009

A solicitor who devoted herself to improving the lives of hundreds of disabled and elderly care-home residents has won a historic battle which had threatened to end her career.

Yvonne Hossack, 53, was yesterday cleared of professional misconduct after local councils, angered by her successful campaigns to stop the closure of care homes, mounted a “witch- hunt” to get her removed from the solicitors‘ roll.  Read more... (1129 words, 2 images, estimated 4:31 mins reading time)

A campaigning solicitor has called for an end to the “killer” closures of care homes and for a drastic rethink of elderly care.

Yvonne Hossack spoke out after she was cleared last week over career-threatening allegations of serious professional misconduct.

She said the nationwide closures of homes by local councils – often because they are on valuable building sites – could not be justified if they cost lives.

In an interview with The Sunday Telegraph, Miss Hossack said: “My bottom line is: ‘You don’t kill old ladies and gentlemen’. It’s very simple and it should be a self-evident truth.  Read more... (1403 words, 3 images, estimated 5:37 mins reading time)

Cherie Blair is likely to front a legal action by care homes to get councils around the country to pay more for elderly care.

The wife of the former Prime Minister has provided advice for a coalition of private care home firms, charities and housing associations who run residential and nursing care accommodation across England.

She may also argue on their behalf in the High Court that the care providers should receive more money than they currently do from local authorities for looking after pensioners and disabled people.  Read more... (459 words, 3 images, estimated 1:50 mins reading time)