14th Annual

William J. Neff Sr.

Symposium on the Prevention of

Crimes Against Older Adults

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.

 Agenda:

8:30 to 9:00 Registration and Continental Breakfast                                         

9:00 to 9:15 Welcome and Introductions

9:15 to 10:00 Keynote: Elder Abuse and Dementia

Presenter: 

Laura Mosqueda, MD, Professor of Family Medicine and Geriatrics, Keck School of Medicine of USC, Director, National Center on Elder Abuse

The hallmark of aging is heterogeneity: the older we get, the more different we become! With age, however, can come changes that make us more vulnerable to abuse and neglect. The first part of the Keynote session will discuss why mistreatment may be masked or mimicked by normal age-related changes.  Physiologic changes make bruising more likely; functional changes create fall risks; social changes can cause isolation. All of these issues can make it difficult to detect abuse and neglect. 

10:00-10:15 Break

10:15-11:00 Keynote Part II: Elder Abuse and Dementia

The second part of the Keynote will review terminology related to dementia and why people with dementia are particularly susceptible to mistreatment. A framework for preventing and solving abusive situations will be discussed as well.

11:15-12:15 Breakout  Sessions 1

A. Cyber Seniors "Click With Caution"

Presenter: David P. Shallcross, Acting Director of Education and Outreach, Pennsylvania Office of Attorney General, Education and Outreach Section

This interactive presentation will increase the skills of staff in working with "cyber seniors" through the dangers of the internet and how to navigate them safely. 

B. Area Agency on Aging Services, Mandated Reporting and the Elder Abuse Law in PA

Presenter: Chuck Danfield, Supervisor, Older Adult Protective Serivces, Bucks County Area Agency on Aging

Employees of “facilities” in Pennsylvania are required to report suspicions of abuse, neglect, exploitation and abandonment to the Area Agency on Aging. Hear answers to questions about mandatory reporting and Agency follow up. Learn how to fulfill your legal requirement to refer suspected cases facing vulnerable adults.  

C. Hearing Voices That are Distressiong (a 2-part learning expereince)- Part I

Presenter: Philip Braun, PhD, Associate Executive Director for Rehabilitative Services, Lenape Valley Foundation

Part I: This learning opportunity will give participants the opportunity to learn about the voice hearing experience from a mental health professional with her own lived experience of paranoid schizophrenia. Dr. Pat Deegan describes her own and others experience of auditory hallucinations in an engaging and research supported video presentation. She describes the development of her own illness and discusses research focused on coping with the voice hearing experience. *You may attend Part I without attending Part II.

12:15 to 1:00 Complimentary Luncheon 

1:00 to 2:15 Breakout Session 2 

A. Hearing Voices That are Distressiong (a 2-part learning expereince)- Part II

Presenter: Philip Braun, PhD, Associate Executive Director for Rehabilitative Services, Lenape Valley Foundation

Part 2: Participants will have the opportunity to "be in the world" while having a voice hearing experience. Headphones and individual recordings will provide each participant the opportunity to function while experiencing voices. Participants will engage in cognitive, interpersonal, and paper-and­ pencil tasks while hearing voices. The experience is designed to be consciousness raising. *You must attend Part I to attend Part II.  Part II is very limited in registration numbers.  First come first serve.

B. Respected and Whole: Preventing Anti-LGBT Bias between Constituents, Staff, and Across Aging Services

Presenter: Terri Clark, Coordinator of Prevention Services at ActionAIDS in Philadelphia.

This training will present eight specific suggestions to prevent bias and help to create inclusive services for seniors. The training will discuss concrete programming ideas and policies to ensure staff and constituents feel respected and safe. Training participants will learn how an inclusive environment can improve the health and happiness of both staff and constituents.

C. Domestic Violence in Later Life

Presenter: Rachele Daniels, Community Educator with the Prevention Project at A Woman’s Place (AWP)

Domestic Violence is a community issue that does not discriminate. It affects people of all genders, races, religions, incomes, and even ages. More than one in ten women over 50 suffers from physical, sexual, or verbal abuse perpetrated by an intimate partner. This workshop will provide participants with knowledge on what domestic violence looks like in later life as well as how to help someone who may be experiencing an abusive relationship.

2:15 to 2:30 Break 

2:30 to 4:00 Breakout Session 3 

A. Individuals with Disabilities and Crime Victimization- Bucks County’s Response: Special Victim’s Investigation Program (SVI)

Presenters:

Kristin McElroy, Deputy District Attorney, Bucks County District Attorney’s Office                                                       Kim Foster, Family Advocacte, Bucks County Children’s Advocacy Center                                                               Deborah Nugent, Sexual Assault Nurse Examiner and Speical Project Corodintaor, NOVA

The risk of being a victim of crime, especially a victim of sexual assault, is four to ten times greater for adults with disabilities, including elderly individuals with diminished cognitive or physical capacities. Communication barriers may be experienced by individuals with disabilities, often resulting in cases not going through the criminal justice system. This workshop will describe a new program in Bucks County, called the ‘Special Victims Investigation Program” which provides a multidisciplinary approach to the investigation of crimes against vulnerable adults utilizing trained forensic interviewers.  The workshop will explain this innovative program and how it can be a resource to law enforcement, protective service workers, and to agencies that support these populations.  

B. Combating Harassment and Bullying in Senior Communities: A Three Tiered Approach

Presenter: Mariel Lorenz, Line Supervisor, Center for Advocacy for the Rights and Interests of the Elderly

There has been a growing concern of bullying and harassment in communities of older adults. This workshop discusses the various forms of bullying and the characteristics of adults who bully and those targeted. A multi-level approach including interventions for victims and education for staff will be presented to help aging professionals combat bullying in a variety of settings.

C. Fraud Alert!  Scams, Cons and Other Consumer Issues.

Presenter: Mike Bannon, Director, Bucks County Consumer Protection

With an increase in local law enforcement resources designated to address financial fraud and scams, this workshop will provide current information on the latest scams.  Learn how the Consumer Protection Office can be of assistance in investigation and prevention of frauds.

4:00 Basket Raffles in Auditorium

Approval for Continuing Education Credits: 

5.0 CE credits SUBMITTED to the PA State Board of Social Workers, Marriage and Family Therapists, and Professional Counselors

5.0 CE credits SUBMITTED to the PA State Board of Nursing

 

5.0 CLEE hours SUBMITTED to the Municipal Police Officers' Education & Training Commission

 

5.0 CE credits SUBMITTED to The National Continuing Education Review Service (NCERS) of the National Association of Long Term Care Administrator Boards (NAB)

 

5.0 CE credtis SUBMITTED to PA DHS for Personal Care Home Administrators

 

  

                                          

Thank You to Our 2017 Sponsors* and Host:

Bucks County Community College

Bucks County Area Agency on Aging

HCR ManorCare

Christ's Home

                                                                                                               *as of 4/4/17

 

 

Sponsorship Opportunities are still available! 

Greatest Generation     $3,000             Acknowledgement on the Symposium invitation and prominent placement on donor form in participant folders; full page logo on scrolling donor screen prior to the welcome address; formal acknowledgement during the welcome address; company name and logo on give-away item and “Greatest Generation Sponsor” on dining tables in the Gallagher Room. Vendor table in the lobby.

Silent Generation         $2,000             Acknowledgement on the Symposium invitation and donor form in participant folders; company name with logo on donor screen prior to welcome address; recognized during welcome address and an afternoon workshop; “Silent Generation Sponsor” on dessert table in Gallagher Room. Vendor table in the lobby.

Baby Boomers             $1,500             Acknowledgement on the Symposium invitation and donor form in participant folders; company name on scrolling donor screen prior to welcome address, acknowledgement during welcome address and an afternoon workshop. Vendor table in the lobby.

Generation X               $1,000             Acknowledgement on the Symposium invitation and donor form in participant folders; company name on scrolling donor screen, and recognized during welcome address.  Vendor table in the lobby.

Generation Y               $600                Acknowledgement on the Symposium invitation and donor form in participant folders; company name on scrolling donor screen, and mention during welcome address. Vendor table in the lobby.

Gen Tech                     $ 300               Acknowledgement on donor form in participant materials and company name listed on scrolling donor screen.  Vendor table in the lobby.

Friend of Neff               $150              Acknowledgment on donor form in participant materials.

 

Disclaimer: Sponsorship is under agreement and acknowledgment that the 14th Annual William J. Neff Sr Symposium on the Prevention of Crimes Against Older Adults for May 23, 2017 at Bucks County Community College is for educational purposes and not for the purpose of promoting any products or entities.  The educational activity will be free of commercial bias for or against products or entities.

To arrange a sponsorship or for additional information, please contact Mandy Mundy, Network of Victim Assistance at mandy@novaubcks.org. 

Thank you.

Register Now!