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.
2014
The 11th Annual William J. Neff Sr.
Bucks County Symposium on the Prevention of Crimes Against Older Adults
8:30-9:00 Registration and Complimentary Breakfast
9:00-9:30 Welcome and Introductions
9:30-10:15 The Charles A. Kane Keynote:
Film Screening:
Safeguarding the Golden Generation: "Last Will and Embezzlement"
"Last Will and Embezzlement" is a documentary which examines the financial exploitation of older adults. Its creation was inspired by the recent, true-life events in the family of Executive Producer and Starjack Entertainment partner, Pamela S. K. Glasner, and although the film does touch upon the events in Ms. Glasner's family, its focus is much more universal than that, because the problem is, without question, universal.
Last Will and Embezzlement features disturbing, first-hand accounts from real-life victims, including Hollywood icon Mickey Rooney, as well as in-depth interviews with experts who discuss such key issues as victim profiles, the perpetrators’ modus operandi, reasons for vulnerability, as well as potential solutions to this ever-increasing worldwide problem.
10:15-10:30 Break and Networking in Lobby
10:30-11:45 Keynote Panel of Experts: Financial Exploitation of Older Adults
Panel Members:
1. David Bonacquisti, Detective, Warminster Township Police Department
2. Chuck Danfield, Bucks County Area Agency on Aging
3. Marc Furber, Chief of Economic Crimes Division, Bucks County Deputy District Attorney
4. Pamela Glasner, Movie Producer
5. Dennis Houser CPA, Forensic Accountant
6. John Monaghan, Detective, Bensalem Township Police Department
7. Richard L. Newman, Esq., Newman Elder Law
11:45-12:45 Complimentary Lunch
12:45-2:15 Workshops
1. Senior Crime Prevention University– Top 7 Financial Scam Concerns
Presenter: Dave Shallcross, Senior Community Outreach Officer , Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General
2. Late Life Hoarding- Lenape Valley Foundation
Presenter: Sharon Curran, Associate Executive Director for Clinical Services, Lenape Valley Foundation
3. The Silver Rainbow: Cultural Competency when Working with LGBTQ Older Adults
Presenter: Terri Clark, MPH, CHES, The LGBT Elder Initiative
2:15-2:30 Break
2:30-4:00 Workshops II
4. Competence with Compassion: Ethics and Aging
Presenters: Diane Menio, Executive Director, The Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly (CARIE) and Michelle Mathes, Development Coordinator, CARIE
5. Walk in Our Shoes: Working with Older Survivors of Abuse
Presenter: Kathy Bennett, LSW, Associate Director, Network of Victim Assistance
6. FRAUD ALERT!
Presenter: Mike Bannon, Director, Bucks County Consumer Protection
4:15 Basket Raffle in the Auditorium
Approal for Continuing Education Credits:
4.5 CE credits pending approval for Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and
Professional Counselors
4.5 credits pending for Nursing Home Administrators
4.5 CE credits pending approval from the Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
4.5 Personal Care CE credits pending
Thank You to Our 2014 Host and Sponsors:
Bucks County Area Agency on Aging
Bucks County Community College
HCR ManorCare
Life St. Mary