IN THIS ISSUE:
- SPOTLIGHT: Celebrate with CARIE on April 20th!
- UPDATE: Two Extraordinary Advocates Receive the Spirit of CARIE Award
- FOCUS ON: CARIE’s PAVE Program
- MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Supporting Elder Victims Through the Criminal Process
- MEET CARIE’S BOARD: Carolyn Cristofalo, MSW, Chair
SPOTLIGHT: Come Join Us for CARIE’s Annual Auction and Benefit Reception – April 20, 2016
From generation to generation (English) Ghlúin go glúin(Irish) Generación en generación (Spanish) Thế hệ này sang thế hệ(Vietnamese) מדור לדור (Hebrew) De génération en génération(French) З покоління в покоління (Ukrainian) جيل إلى جيل(Arabic) Από γενιά σε γενιά (Greek) Di generazione in generazione (Italian)
“From generation to generation,” words that resound in every culture throughout the world. This year, CARIE’s annual benefit reception celebrates our grandparents and parents and the wonderful traditions shared across the generations of our families. We have a place on our event website where we hope you’ll share a favorite tradition from your family.
It’s going to be a wonderful evening of fun, good company, food and drink while supporting CARIE’s elder advocacy. Be part of the excitement of both live and silent auctions that include getaways from Cape May to Europe and Africa, nights on the town, indulgences of all kinds (food, wine, spa experiences, beauty treatments), cultural and sports events, jewelry, art, and much, much more!
Purchase tickets, be an event sponsor, and get all the latest event information at our event website. Mark you calendar for April 20th to join us for a great evening!
UPDATE: Two Extraordinary Advocates To Be Honored with the 2016 Spirit of CARIE Award
CARIE is thrilled to be honoring two remarkable individuals with the 2016Spirit of CARIE award at its April 20 event. Guests will have the opportunity to meet and talk with these two outstanding advocates whose efforts have made a crucial difference in the lives of vulnerable older persons.
Philip Marshall, BA, MS
Philip Marshall brought national and international focus to the issue of elder abuse through his advocacy on behalf of his grandmother, Brooke Astor. Following his grandmother’s death, Mr. Marshall has committed himself to promoting issues of elder justice and to increasing awareness and prevention of elder abuse, neglect and financial exploitation. In recognizing that the struggle for the safety, rights and dignity of his grandmother is a struggle faced by elders and family members regardless of circumstances, and in lending his voice, his time and his effort to advocating for protections on behalf of all older adults, Mr. Marshall personifies the Spirit of CARIIE.
Beryl Goldman, PhD, MS, RN, NHA
For almost thirty years, Beryl Goldman has advocated for the development, adoption and expansion of safe, restraint-free long term care environments. As a leading voice in the field of restraint reduction she has provided testimony before Congress on the Untie the Elderly initiative and has overseen the Pennsylvania Restraint Reduction Initiative, served as outreach leader of the national Hospital Bed Safety Workgroup and directed the implementation portion of the Pennsylvania Department of Health’s Best Practices Project. Her work contributed to a sea change in attitudes toward the use of restraints in long term care settings. Currently serving as the Director of Kendal Outreach, LLC, Mrs. Goldman’s vision and persistent efforts to realize safe and compassionate restraint-free care for our most vulnerable elders reflects the true Spirit of CARIE.
FOCUS ON: CARIE’S PAVE (Providing Advocacy for Victimized Elders) Program
For an older person who already has been the victim of a crime, contending with the complex criminal justice system with its security measures, crowded hallways, unfamiliar settings and strange procedures can be daunting. The prospect of testifying against the perpetrator adds yet another level of anxiety. CARIE’s PAVE program (Providing Advocacy for Victimized Elderly) assists older adult crime victims to navigate this process, offering to accompany them to court, assist them in filing for Crime Victim Compensation, and helping to develop a victim impact statement.
Victim Advocates Bill McNeill and Keeley Frank also assist older adults seeking Stay Away orders or enforcement of Protection from Abuse orders against family or household members who threaten their safety. In such emotionally fraught circumstances, the presence and support of an Advocate can make a crucial difference in whether the elder is able to go through with the hearing and obtain the order that will keep the perpetrator out of the home.
Challenges such as physical disability, language barriers, and mental health issues, all of which contribute to an elder’s being more vulnerable to crime, also can make the criminal justice process seem even more overwhelming. CARIE’s Victim Advocates will advise court personnel of the special needs of an elder victim and help secure the supports needed to enable the older person to attend and effectively participate in a hearing. The Victim Advocate is in the courtroom with an elder each time they need to appear. As the Victim Advocate gets to know the elder victim, the Advocate is able to make referrals to address other needs the victim may have.
MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Supporting Elder Victims Through the Criminal Process
Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence (not their real name) were in their Philadelphia home when an intruder forced his way through the front door. The intruder assaulted Mr. Lawrence, a 70 year old man, in the living room and then forced his way into the upstairs bedroom where Mrs. Lawrence, 74 years of age, was sleeping. When Mr. Lawrence yelled that he was calling the police, the intruder ran out of the house.
As a result of the crime, Mr. Lawrence sustained physical injuries while Mrs. Lawrence continues to suffer from the emotional distress caused by the break-in. When the case came to trial, Mrs. Lawrence’s anxiety was heightened when she faced the prospect of having to testify in court against the perpetrator. The Victim Advocate was present with Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence at each court proceeding, explaining the purpose of the proceeding and what Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence might expect to happen. Education about how the criminal justice system worked helped to ease Mrs. Lawrence’s anxiety about appearing as a witness in court. The Advocate also helped the Lawrences file for Victims Compensation for the medical expenses they incurred as a result of the assault and battery on Mr. Lawrence.
Much to their relief, with their testimony the perpetrator was sentenced to a combined eleven years jail time and probation and was ordered to pay restitution and do community service. Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence were grateful for the Victim Advocate’s support as they persevered through the process and relieved to know that the perpetrator was no longer able to hurt them.
Meet CARIE’s Board: Carolyn Cristofalo, MSW, Chair
My interest in older adults can be traced to my father, Vincent Cristofalo, PhD, a researcher in cellular aging and the founder of Penn’s Center for the Study of Aging (now the Institute on Aging). I learned from my father how important it is for young people to care about the issues affecting older adults and to follow careers in the field of aging. It was natural, therefore, that while earning my Master of Social Work degree at Penn that I focused my studies on issues of aging.
I joined the CARIE Board nine years ago, at the suggestion of a friend who knew of my interest in working with older adults. I transitioned to the role of Board Chair three years ago after several years serving as Board Secretary. I was asked to consider assuming the role of Board Chair by my predecessor, Donna Hill, Esq., one of the most passionate advocates for older adults that I have ever encountered.
It has been a wonderful experience to work with the members of CARIE’s Board, each of whom is so committed to fulfilling the mission of the organization and to ensuring the dignity, independence and quality of life of older persons. As I begin my fourth year as Chair, I am grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such an amazing organization and realize what a privilege it has been to serve on the CARIE board.
THE CENTER FOR ADVOCACY FOR THE RIGHTS AND INTERESTS OF THE ELDERLY (CARIE)
CARIE is a Philadelphia-based 501(c)(3) non-profit organization whose mission is to improve the well-being, rights and autonomy of older adults through advocacy, education and action. CARIE operates on two levels, providing advocacy and assistance to individual elders and their caregivers to help ensure the highest quality of life and greatest independence possible. Information about gaps and barriers to accessing needed services and supports gained through our work with individual clients informs our policy advocacy in behalf of older adults throughout the region and across Pennsylvania and beyond. Please support CARIE!
