NYS Office for the Aging, State Officials, the Courts, Victim Advocates Mark World Elder Abuse Awareness Day on June 15

Approximately 260,000 older adults in New York State are victims of elder abuse each year, though estimates suggest the toll is higher, due to underreporting 

Social isolation during the pandemic has increased the risk of elder abuse 

This year’s theme is “Building Strong Supports for Elders” 

State officials, the courts, and victim advocates stand united on World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD) June 15, offering information for the public to identify and report abuse, along with resources to help victims.

“Approximately 260,000 older adults are victims of elder abuse each year in New York State,” said New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA) Director Greg Olsen. “For every reported case, 23 cases go unreported, making it vital for the public to recognize signs of abuse and act.” The statistics come from a statewide Elder Abuse Prevalence Study by Lifespan of Greater Rochester, Inc., Weill Cornell Medical Center of Cornell University, and the New York City Department for the Aging. 

“Across the state, our local departments of social services’ adult protective units continue to work tirelessly to investigate, address and mitigate allegations of abuse, neglect and financial exploitation,” said New York State Office of Children and Family Services (OCFS) Commissioner Sheila J. Poole. “We know that our most senior New Yorkers are more at risk of becoming victimized due to the aging process, increased medical needs and social isolation, certainly worsened by the consequences of COVID-19. It is more important today than ever for all community members to understand the risks facing our elderly population and to recognize and report possible signs of abuse.”

Forms of Abuse

Abuse takes several forms: physical, emotional, and sexual abuse; financial exploitation; and neglect (including self-neglect). Abuse is not always easily recognized. Older adults who are socially isolated are at increased risk for elder abuse, and COVID-19 has increased the risk. In fact, a study in the American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry suggests that 1 in 5 older people has experienced elder abuse during the pandemic – an increase of nearly 84 percent over pre-pandemic levels.

Reporting Abuse

For law enforcement to intervene and pursue any criminal charges, suspected abuse must be reported and properly investigated.

• To report abuse, individuals should call the Adult Protective Services (APS) helpline at 1-844-697-3505.

• For emergencies that require immediate attention, call 9-1-1.

• For non-emergency assistance, individuals can call the helpline for concerned individuals who might be worried about a friend or loved at 1-844-746-6905.

Identifying Abuse

To identify possible abuse, individuals should look for the following signs, including if a person:

• Seems depressed, confused, or withdrawn. 

• Is isolated from friends and family.

• Has unexplained bruises, burns, or scars.

• Exhibits poor hygiene or appears underfed, dehydrated, overmedicated or undermedicated, or is not receiving needed care for medical problems.

• Has bed sores or other preventable conditions.

• Exhibits recent changes in banking or spending patterns.

Elder Abuse Response

New York is responding to elder abuse in a variety of ways across multiple state agencies.

OCFS oversees Adult Protective Services in every county. It received more than $10 million in federal funding to support, improve, and enhance services, including addressing unsanitary conditions in the home, purchasing personal protective equipment for COVID-19 safety precautions, and upgrading technology in ways that have improved access to investigatory resources and service referrals from the field. Through these resources, APS clients have been able to remain in the community with housing, heating, basic needs, and transportation assistance.

OCFS also participated in a national public awareness campaign with nine other states. In this national partnership, OCFS contributed to the development of universal public education materials and public service announcements to be distributed throughout New York State. OCFS continues to support an Adult Protective Services reporting line at the Human Services Call Center (HSCC) (1-844-697-3505) weekdays until 8 p.m. 

NYSOFA, in partnership with Lifespan of Greater Rochester and its contractors, provides a statewide Elder Abuse Education and Outreach Program (EAEOP) for older adults, their families and caregivers. NYSOFA has also pioneered the Elder Abuse Enhanced Multidisciplinary Team (E-MDT) program. E-MDTs, now in every region of the state, convene local agencies in individual counties working together to help address cases of elder abuse.

E-MDTs often include the local Office for the Aging and other aging service providers, Adult Protective Services, mental health professionals, health care providers, social workers, human services providers, banking/financial institutions, civil legal services, district attorney’s offices, law enforcement agencies, and access to forensic accountants. From 2014 to 2021, E-MDT interventions led to a reported $2.2 million in restitution in financial exploitation cases. Of this, $763,000 was reported returned to the victims.

Financial exploitation is the most common form of elder abuse. Statewide, for every reported case of financial exploitation, 43.9 cases go unreported. The Fiscal Year 2023 State Budget also includes $750,000 in funding to expand bill-payer programs in up to 10 counties, helping older adults manage their finances independently and identify red flags signaling possible exploitation.

Other Resources

• Caregiver stress is a major risk factor for abuse. Office for Aging programs include caregiver support groups and respite services, which provide temporary relief for caregivers. For caregiver assistance, call NY Connects at 1-800-342-9871.

• For concerns about older adults living in facilities, the Long Term Care Ombudsman Program is available in every region to help residents understand and exercise their rights to quality care. The statewide helpline is 1-855-582-6769.

• The Division of Consumer Protection can help victims of scams and frauds. It also offers consumer prevention and education information. For more information call 1-800-697-1220.

• The New York State Office of Victim Services may be able to help crime victims with medical bills, counseling expenses, lost wages, and other types of assistance.

• The New York State Coalition Against Domestic Violence provides a directory of programs that includes residential services and/or assistance, information, referral, counseling, advocacy, community education and outreach services.

These and other resources can be found at https://aging.ny.gov/elder-abuse.

Judge Deborah Kaplan, Deputy Chief Administrative Judge for the New York City Courts and Chair of the New York State Judicial Committee on Elder Justice, said: “While today is World Elder Abuse Awareness Day, every day we are cognizant of the fact that elder mistreatment, an often-hidden problem, may be an underlying factor in legal matters involving older persons. My goal as chair of the New York State Judicial Committee on Elder Justice is to work with stakeholders in an effort to raise awareness about what constitutes elder mistreatment, how it can be identified, cultural and other factors which impact on reporting abuse and accessing services, relevant state laws, and other support available to assist older adults. Moreover, we are constantly striving to ensure that all older adults are able to participate in court proceedings to the fullest extent possible.”

New York State Division of Criminal Justice Services (DCJS) Commissioner Rossana Rosado said: “Our staff at DCJS works hard to prevent elder abuse by supporting the work of the Committee for the Coordination of Police Services to the Elderly, which develops training to improve law enforcement response to elder abuse. We are thankful for our partnership with NYSOFA and OVS and join them to observe World Elder Abuse Awareness Day so we can draw attention to this important issue.”

New York State Office of Victim Services (OVS) Director Elizabeth Cronin said: “It’s far too common that vulnerable adults fall prey to those who abuse, neglect, or financially exploit them, and shining a light on this issue can help encourage more reporting. We at OVS are proud of our role working with our partners at the Office for the Aging to develop and expand our first-in-the-nation Enhanced Multidisciplinary Teams Initiative. We have been able to provide millions of dollars in Victims of Crime Act (VOCA) funding to help adults 60 and older who are at risk due to physical limitations, cognitive impairment or dementia, and social isolation, while expanding access to forensic accountants, mental health professionals, and civil legal services.”

Ann Marie Cook, President and CEO of Lifespan of Greater Rochester, said: “Elder abuse is a hidden problem that thrives in silence. It is underrecognized, underreported, and under-prosecuted. At Lifespan, we are thrilled to work with the New York State Office for the Aging and the New York State Office of Children and Family Services to shine light on this issue so that all older New Yorkers live free of abuse, mistreatment, and exploitation.”

U.S. Attorney Charges Nurse Practitioner In $10.5 Million Disability Loan Fraud Scheme

 

Catherine Seemer Arrested for Orchestrating $10.5 Million Loan Fraud Scheme That Included Stealing Physician Identities and Falsifying Disabilities

 Damian Williams, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, Michael J. Driscoll, Assistant Director-in-Charge of the New York Office of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (“FBI”), and Terry Harris, Special Agent-in-Charge of the Eastern Regional Office of the U.S. Department of Education Office of Inspector General (“ED-OIG”), announced today the unsealing of a criminal complaint charging CATHERINE SEEMER with wire fraud, federal financial aid fraud, and aggravated identity theft in connection with a scheme that resulted in the fraudulent discharge of over $10.5 million worth of student loans on the basis of falsified medical certifications of permanent disabilities.  SEEMER was arrested this morning and will be presented before United States Magistrate Judge Andrew E. Krause.

U.S. Attorney Damian Williams said:  “The Total and Permanent Disability Discharge Program is designed to help ease the financial burden of those who suffer from permanent physical or mental disabilities, including military veterans who endure service-related disabilities, by relieving them of their student loan obligations.  As alleged, the defendant defrauded this program for her own benefit.  She stole the identities of more than a dozen medical doctors and falsified the disabilities of more than 100 borrowers in order to profit from the multi-year scheme, which resulted in the fraudulent discharge of over $10.5 million in loans.  This Office, along with our law enforcement partners, will continue to vigilantly protect the integrity of critical programs that exist to help those who are most in need.” 

FBI Assistant Director-in-Charge Michael J. Driscoll said:  “As alleged, Ms. Seemer fraudulently orchestrated the discharge of student loans in excess of $10 million on behalf of more than 100 borrowers she led to believe were eligible for various forms of student-loan relief.  She ultimately reaped more than $1 million in ill-gotten gains by charging borrowers fees in exchange for her “services.”  The action we have taken today is yet another example of the FBI’s commitment to protecting government programs from fraudsters who seek to undermine them for their own selfish purposes.”

ED-OIG Special Agent-in-Charge Terry Harris said:  “Tracking down those who cheat the Federal student aid programs is a priority of our office.  The OIG is committed to fighting student aid fraud in all its forms and we will continue to pursue anyone who participates in these types of crimes.”

As alleged in the Complaint filed today in White Plains federal court:[1]

From June 2017 through March 2022, SEEMER orchestrated a scheme to cause the fraudulent discharge of millions of dollars’ worth of student loans for borrowers who did not qualify for relief under the federal Total and Permanent Disability Discharge Program and its private analogue.  As part of the scheme, SEEMER deceived over 100 borrowers into believing they qualified for various forms of student loan relief and charged them fees—often between 10% and 20% of the loan amount—to facilitate their loan discharge process.  She then used the personal identifying information of the unsuspecting borrowers to submit fraudulent applications for student loan discharge on the basis of non-existent permanent physical and mental disabilities.  In support of these applications, SEEMER used the stolen identities, medical license numbers, and forged signatures of over a dozen medical doctors to falsify medical diagnoses and disability certifications.  The scheme resulted in the wrongful discharge of over approximately $10.5 million in loans under the disability-based relief programs.  It is estimated that SEEMER earned at least approximately $1 million as a result of the scheme.   

CATHERINE SEEMER, 42, of Elmsford, New York, is charged with one count of wire fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of 20 years in prison; one count of federal financial aid fraud, which carries a maximum sentence of five years in prison; and one count of aggravated identity theft, which carries a mandatory consecutive sentence of two years in prison.  

The maximum potential sentences in this case are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant will be determined by a judge.

Mr. Williams praised the outstanding investigative work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General.  Mr. Williams noted that the investigation is ongoing.

The charges contained in the Complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

[1] As the introductory phrase signifies, the entirety of the text of the Complaint, and the description of the Complaint set forth herein, constitutes only allegations, and every fact described therein should be treated as an allegation.

Governor Hochul Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress Combating COVID-19 - JUNE 15, 2022

Statewide 7-Day Average Case Rate Down Approximately 20% Compared to Prior Week

Case Rates Down Across All Regions Compared to Prior Week

Statewide Hospitalizations Continue to Decline

7 Statewide Deaths Reported Yesterday

 NOTE: Updates to the CDC's cumulative death data files were paused starting June 6, 2022, while the CDC upgrades its system. Reporting is expected to resume on June 21, 2022. Any questions about this should be directed to the CDC. During this time, total deaths and new daily deaths reported through HERDS will continue as normal.

Governor Kathy Hochul today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combating COVID-19.

"I urge all New Yorkers remain vigilant as we continue to navigate through the pandemic," Governor Hochul said. "Be sure to take a test before traveling and stay home if you feel unwell, and by keeping up to date with vaccinations and booster doses, we can keep our families and loved ones safe. Let's continue to use the tools we have available to us in order to mitigate future potential surges."    

Today's data is summarized briefly below:      

•          Cases Per 100k - 27.01
•          7-Day Average Cases Per 100k - 25.66
•          Test Results Reported - 93,581
•          Total Positive - 5,279
•          Percent Positive - 5.29%**
•          7-Day Average Percent Positive - 5.38%**
•          Patient Hospitalization -  1,907 (-31)  
•          Patients Newly Admitted - 322
•          Patients in ICU - 207 (+9)
•          Patients in ICU with Intubation - 74 (+1)    
•          Total Discharges - 311,913 (+317) 
•          New deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 7
•          Total deaths reported by healthcare facilities through HERDS - 56,352

** Due to the test reporting policy change by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and several other factors, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.   

The Health Electronic Response Data System is a NYS DOH data source that collects confirmed daily death data as reported by hospitals, nursing homes and adult care facilities only.     

Important Note: Effective Monday, April 4, the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is no longer requiring testing facilities that use COVID-19 rapid antigen tests to report negative results. As a result, New York State's percent positive metric will be computed using only lab-reported PCR results. Positive antigen tests will still be reported to New York State and reporting of new daily cases and cases per 100k will continue to include both PCR and antigen tests. Due to this change and other factors, including changes in testing practices, the most reliable metric to measure virus impact on a community is the case per 100,000 data -- not percent positivity.   

•          Total deaths reported to and compiled by the CDC - 71,670   

This daily COVID-19 provisional death certificate data reported by NYS DOH and NYC to the CDC includes those who died in any location, including hospitals, nursing homes, adult care facilities, at home, in hospice and other settings.      

• Total vaccine doses administered - 39,153,677           
•          Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 14,749
•          Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 130,949
•          Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose - 92.7%   
•          Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series - 84.1%   
•          Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 95.0%   
•          Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 87.6%   
•          Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 83.9%   
•          Percent of New Yorkers ages 12-17 with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 73.8%   
•          Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 82.3%   
•          Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 74.6%   
•          Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 90.8%   
•          Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 77.6%   

Each New York City borough's 7-day average percentage of positive test results reported over the last three days is as follows **:       

Borough	Sunday, June 12, 2022	Monday, June 13, 2022	Tuesday, June 14, 2022
Bronx	3.88%	3.83%	3.85%
Kings	4.41%	4.50%	4.58%
New York	6.06%	6.06%	5.39%
Queens	5.91%	5.86%	5.82%
Richmond	5.55%	5.48%	6.02%

MAYOR ADAMS, HUNTS POINT COMMUNITY LEADERS RELEASE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN TO CREATE ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITY, IMPROVE QUALITY OF LIFE IN HUNTS POINT

 

Backed by a $40 Million Commitment From Mayor Adams, ‘Hunts Point Forward’ Outlines Vision Shared by City and Community With Over 70 Short- and Long-Term Recommendations

 

Plan Delivers on Commitment in Mayor Adams’ Blueprint for NYC’s Economic Recovery

New York City Mayor Eric Adams and Hunts Point community leaders today released ‘Hunts Point Forward,’ a comprehensive plan to create economic opportunity and improve quality of life for New Yorkers in the Hunts Point neighborhood of the South Bronx. Backed by an initial $40 million commitment from Mayor Adams, the plan outlines a 15-year vision shared by the city and the community with more than 70 short- and long-term recommendations for creating family-sustaining jobs, improving public safety, enhancing community health and access to healthy food, promoting environmental justice, and delivering upgrades to open space, transportation, and other key community infrastructure.

 

“My vision for the city’s economic comeback starts right here in Hunts Point, in a community that kept the entire city fed during the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Mayor Adams. “This plan delivers immediate support and a long-term vision to make sure Hunts Point residents have the public safety, health care access, and green space that all New Yorkers deserve. I want to thank Councilmember Salamanca for his leadership in this process and all of the community organizations and residents who took time to build this plan with us from the ground up; I look forward to working with all of them to continue to ‘Get Stuff Done.’”

 

“Today, the Adams administration is doubling down on our commitment to Hunts Point and to the families, small businesses, community-based organizations, and local stakeholders who make the neighborhood so unique,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic and Workforce Development Maria Torres-Springer. “I applaud this comprehensive and community-driven plan and believe that these investments will power a more equitable recovery and a better future for Hunts Point.”

 

“‘Hunts Point Forward’ is a plan for the community, made by the community,” said New York City Economic Development Corporation CEO and President Andrew Kimball. “We thank all who were part of the planning process. Together, we share a vision for a better tomorrow and look forward to improving quality of life and spurring equitable economic development in Hunts Point.”

 

“Building a more equitable city starts with listening to and funding those communities that have traditionally been underserved,” said New York City Councilmember Rafael Salamanca. “With the historic announcement of $40 million for the Hunts Point community, the Adams administration is providing a platform for the local community to weigh in on how a significant infusion of city funds will be used in their neighborhood. When we launched the ‘Hunts Point Forward’ plan several years ago, we envisioned a thorough and transparent process that gave the residents of Hunts Point a seat at the table. Today’s announcement is the result of that community-driven initiative. I thank Mayor Adams, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and all of my constituents who made this day possible.”

 

Building on the city’s previous work in Hunts Points and shared goals of centralized coordination and accountability, ‘Hunts Point Forward’ offers 73 short- and long-term recommendations shaped by extensive community input. Last year, NYCEDC and several city agencies, Councilmember Salamanca, the Pratt Center for Community Development, and the Hunts Point-Longwood Community Coalition (HPLWCC) led extensive outreach to hear from residents and community-based organizations about the community’s needs and priorities. Engagement included remote and in-person public events, community board briefings, a community survey that received more than 400 responses, three public workshops, and focus group meetings conducted in English and Spanish.

 

‘Hunts Point Forward’ delivers on a key commitment that Mayor Adams made in his Blueprint for New York City’s Economic Recovery to invest $140 million in Hunts Point infrastructure and community priorities, including $40 million in city capital funding that Mayor Adams has allocated for investments in local open space and infrastructure. As part of the plan, the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation will upgrade Barretto Point Park — providing more park space for visitors, restoring a portion of shoreline, and making the park more resilient.

 

In addition, the New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) will address the history of crashes on Hunts Point Avenue involving pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers by redesigning the roadway to make it safer for pedestrians to cross the street and encourage drivers to slow down. DOT will also close a gap in the Hunts Point Avenue bike lane between East Bay Avenue and Randall Avenue and complete a survey to inform improvements that will be made to street lighting.

 

Key recommendations in the plan include:

 

• Making the neighborhood safer by improving street lighting and redesigning key streets and intersections for street safety;
• Connecting Hunts Point residents to local industrial jobs through a variety of workforce development strategies, including a partnership between the New York City Department of Small Business Services (SBS) and Food Distribution Center tenants to broaden access to open positions;
• Increasing access to affordable fresh produce through youth-run farm stands and a new grocery store in The Peninsula redevelopment;
• Expanding health care access through pop-up health clinics and screenings, as well as a permanent health care facility in The Peninsula redevelopment project;
• Making the neighborhood a model of industrial sustainability and resiliency, while addressing decades of environmental injustices, by continuing to invest in facilities within the Food Distribution Center that are vulnerable to climate change, identifying the next phase of resiliency investments, and continuing to advocate for funding to redevelop the produce market into a modern facility;
• Closing the Vernon C. Bain Correctional Center, an 800-bed jail barge, and starting a community engagement process to repurpose the adjoining city-owned parking lot; and
• Expanding open space and enhancing area parks and green spaces, including expanding access to Barretto Point Park.

 

As the relevant city agencies partner on the capital projects and key programmatic initiatives in ‘Hunts Point Forward,’ the city will continue advocating for state and federal funding to help address the community’s and the city’s most pressing needs.

 

“Through the ‘Hunts Point Forward’ plan, we are thrilled to work with our elected officials and our sister agencies to make this community better than ever before and bring some much-needed renovations to Barretto Point Park,” said New York City Department of Parks and Recreation Commissioner Susan M. Donoghue. “With the renovations coming through this newly announced funding, this park and shoreline will be more resilient for the protection of the surrounding community and open up 16,000 square feet of new greenspace, which will benefit residents for years to come.”

 

“Under this administration, DOT is committed to equity and ensuring all neighborhoods in the city benefit from our life-saving safety projects,” said DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez. “We are proud to play a part in ‘Hunts Point Forward’ to deliver critical pedestrian improvements in the neighborhood. We thank Mayor Adams and EDC President and CEO Kimball for their leadership on this great plan.”

 

“Long-term community planning is essential for building economic opportunity and ensuring quality of life,” said SBS Commissioner Kevin D. Kim. “The ‘Hunts Point Forward’ plan will create jobs and connect locals to training and development through the Hunts Point Workforce1 Career Center. This plan will also make Hunts Point a shining example for industrial sustainability and resiliency.”

 

“‘Hunts Point Forward’ is a great example of the power of community planning,” said New York City Department of City Planning Director and City Planning Commission Chair Dan Garodnick. “We look forward to ongoing collaboration with our sister agencies and the community to create a brighter, more equitable future for Hunts Point.”

 

“Health is promoted by the environment around us, which should always include access to nutritious foods, economic opportunity and ample space for fun and exercise,” said New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan. “Putting community at the helm will make this plan sustainable and successful. Local residents have the knowledge and insight to make a healthier neighborhood — which will lead to a healthier city.”

 

“‘Hunts Point Forward’ is an exciting plan that demonstrates many of the core values of the Adams administration. It connects essential food distribution businesses to local residents through job opportunities and expanded healthy food access,” said Kate MacKenzie, executive director, Mayor’s Office of Food Policy. “Moreover, the plan, shaped by community voices, is a major step for health equity. Congratulations on a job well done.”

 

“After years of historic neglect and disinvestment, our Hunts Point community is finally getting the community-centered facelift it deserves,” said Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson. “The ‘Hunts Point Forward’ plan is focused on addressing economic development; building generational wealth; creating sustainable, good-paying jobs; investing in education, parks, and open spaces; and creating a plan that builds on our community’s priorities to strengthen our families and build the next generation of future leaders. I want to thank Councilmember Rafael Salamanca Jr., the Hunts Point-Longwood Community Coalition, the New York City Economic Development Corporation, and all the other stakeholders involved for their commitment, dedication, and labor of love in bringing this plan into fruition.”

 

“The ‘Hunts Point Forward’ plan is an important step towards delineating a massive investment in the Hunts Point community,” said New York State Senator Luis Sepúlveda. “Historically, Hunts Point, and the South Bronx at large, have not received such massive investments as in other places. This plan is a multidisciplinary effort to upgrade the quality of life of Hunts Point residents, including its vision to remodel the Hunts Point Market, the inclusion of a new Metro-North station, investments in renewable energy, and creation of new jobs for local residents. As the New York state senator representing Hunts Point, I am hopeful for the future of my district and the future envisioned by this plan.”