In this 60 Minutes special report from October 23, reporter Leslie Stahl discusses the communication advances in autistic children who use tablet computers. This technology has become paramount for many Special Needs Trust clients who find communicating in a regular manner difficult or impossible.
Seniors Need More Safe Havens from Abuse
Excerpt from Mike King
President/CEO, Volunteers of America
Published: 10/4/11 | Huffington Post
Published: 10/4/11 | Huffington Post
At one point, “Emma” considered living on the streets rather than remaining in a family environment she found threatening. The 70-year-old spent her life caring for others, including a husband who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and became increasingly abusive. Her home life became even more stressful when her daughter experienced financial difficulties and moved in. Emma found herself being treated as the child by her daughter, with threats of conservatorship frequently voiced…
While we all would agree that elder abuse is dreadful and should be stopped, we have failed to dedicate the necessary resources to actually combat it in an effective way. In March 2010, Congress passed the first comprehensive federal elder abuse prevention law. This was an important victory for those of us advocating on behalf of seniors, but more than a year later, the law is now pointless because no money has been dedicated to enforce it.
To this day, elder abuse remains the only form of family violence for which the federal government provides virtually no resources. What resources are dedicated come from cash-strapped cities and states. Abused dogs and cats in our society receive more attention and money.
Read Mike King’s full article here.
Santa Rosa man accused of stealing $100,000 from wife’s grandfather
UPDATE: Sept 30, 2011
The Santa Rosa man charged with defrauding his 97 year-old grandfather-in-law rejected a plea bargain that would have offered him five years in county jail and a single count of elder financial abuse. He is also charged with impersonating a Marine Corps combat veteran.
Paul Tart, 29, did not accept the prosecution’s deal and will be heading to trail. His charges consist of five felonies including forgery and a misdemeanor for falsely representing a military veteran.
Tart will appear for his next hearing on Monday. If convicted he could face six years in state prison.
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The Press Democrat reports today that Santa Rosa resident Paul Tart, 29, has been arrested for stealing more than $100,000 from his wife’s 97 year-old grandfather. Presumably an act of fraud, the grandfather reported two weeks ago to the Sheriff’s Office that his checking account had been mysteriously overdrawn.
After an initial investigation, detectives served Tart with a warrant, then arrested him at his home after finding forged documents and canceled checks. Apparently, Tart had secured a Power of Attorney over the grandfather’s assets and emptied the elderly man’s bank account to support his prescription drug habit.
In today’s digital age it is imperative the elderly take great caution in securing their finances with trusted individuals. Working with a professional fiduciary, by setting up a trust or asset management agreement, can save families the burden of dealing with senior fraud by professional scammers or, heaven forbid, nefarious family members.
JITTERBUG J: Best cell phone for seniors
Jitterbug J Cell Phone
Digital media dominates all levels of communication today. Cell phones along with televisions, stereos, and computers have gotten smaller and smaller with many complicated features that make even the most simplistic devices difficult to use. In terms of cell phones, the most important features are often lost amongst options for text messaging, ring tones and downloads from the internet.
What most seniors need is an inexpensive cell phone that is easy to use and offers only the necessary features to connect with friends and family.
Good news though from the company that brought consumers the easy-to-use Jitterbug J cell phone. Greatcall.com recently announced their win for the 2011 Best Cell Phone from About.com Reader’s Choice Awards. The Jitterbug J phone is simple to use with bigger buttons and a more powerful speakerphone, both features that make using a mobile phone easier for elderly people. Additional features include easy menu navigation, access to options with simple “YES” and “NO” questions, and the assurance of a live operator by dailing “0″ anytime, day or night.
When working with elderly clients, especially those with a need for fiduciary services such as power of attorney and conservatorship, Jitterbug phones make communication safe and easy for both the you and your clients.
Visit their site for plans and more details.
ECOFUNERALS
Ecofuneral Video 
Environmentally conscious people in the United States are opting for what are known as “ecofunerals”. The conventional US funeral is expensive and environmentally unfriendly so “green” funerals, which are cheaper than a traditional burial, are appealing to the budget conscious.
A “green” burial is one where the decedent is buried without toxic embalming, an outer burial container, concrete liner or metal vault, in a 100 per cent biodegradable container.
