TownTalk: Elder Abuse Awareness

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Keeping Older Adults Safe, Protected –

Whether it’s unintentional or purposeful, mistreatment of older adults is serious business. It’s called elder abuse and two local experts discussed the topic with John C. Rose on Thursday’s Town Talk.

Elder Abuse Awareness month is observed, appropriately enough, between Mother’s Day and Father’s Day in North Carolina; World Elder Abuse Awareness Day is June 15. In her job as long-term care ombudsman with Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging, Kimberly Hawkins monitors nursing homes and long-term care facilities to make sure residents’ rights are being respected. Most often, she said, residents are satisfied with the care they receive. But when a resident has a complaint, Hawkins said, it is her job “to find out what they want me to do with that information.”

In her role as advocate, Hawkins said, she sometimes needs to refer a complaint to the Department of Social Services. Deloris Cooke works in Granville County’s DSS adult protective services division. Cooke said she fields referrals from folks like Hawkins and from the community at-large.

Such a referral can come from anywhere in community, Cooke said. “Anyone has the right to call in and share any type of concern for an elderly person” – anyone over the age of 18, actually, who is disabled. It’s up to DSS personnel to determine if an allegation meets the criteria to be evaluated.

Even if a case of abuse, exploitation, neglect or self-neglect is not substantiated, Cooke said a visit to the home is in order to make sure the adult is ok. Such a “self-report” visit is one way to make sure that individuals and families know about resources that can help.

Whether it’s intentional or unintentional, abuse, neglect or exploitation of an elderly person is something that she works to prevent. Through the evaluation, she can “determine what is the situation, what has caused this and how we can resolve it,” Cooke said.

Sometimes an older person living alone can’t get to the pharmacy to pick up medications or prepare meals – that’s self-neglect.

An example of caretaker neglect could be a care recipient being left alone while the family member providing care is at work; and then there are the scammers, who prey on vulnerable older adults to cheat them out of money.

Cooke said the APS reports can be made anonymously; “we cannot and will not divulge (the name of the reporter) unless it is court-ordered,” she said. So often, the reports come from individuals who care about the well-being of the older adult. DSS has up to 45 days to complete its evaluation of the situation, and they provide the reporter with basic findings once the investigation is complete.

“Our primary job is to make sure the adult is safe,” Cooke said. Often, providing resources and putting a plan in place to keep the adult safe, is sufficient. Sometimes, however, it is necessary to file a petition to the court to have the person removed.

Hawkins said she works with a different complaint process, and sometimes she must refer a long-term care facility complaint to DSS. And, of course, she informs the facility that a complaint has been lodged. But with nursing homes, she sends referrals to the state’s department of health and human resources – with the consent of the resident or that person’s legal guardian.

“Most of the time, it’s a lack of communication,” Hawkins said of complaints she receives. High staff turnover could contribute to complaints, as well as staff that feel overworked and overwhelmed.

“We offer trainings to facilities on resident rights and appropriate actions,” Hawkins said. “Getting new information helps a lot.” She also does activities with residents – like a residents’ rights BINGO game – to raise awareness.

Events in the five-county region are having events in the next couple of weeks to observe elder abuse awareness; contact your county’s Senior Center to learn details. In Vance County, Hawkins and colleague Austin Caton will present a program on family caregiver support at the Vance County Senior Center on June 17; other counties will have contactless, drive-through events to share information about elder abuse awareness.

To learn more, contact Hawkins at 252.436.2050 or toll-free at 866.506.6223; contact Cooke at 919.693.1511.

For complete details and audio click play.

The Local Skinny! Vance Unemployment Third Worst in NC

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While the unemployment rates in Vance and Warren counties improved in the last month and drastically improved in the last year, both remain about the worst in North Carolina.

Vance County improved from a rate of 7.6% in March to 7.2% in April but remains 98th out of North Carolina’s 100 counties. That’s the third worst.

Warren County improved from 7.2% in March to 7.0% in April, giving Warren the fourth worst in the state at 97 out of 100 counties.

Speaking in general or round figures, the rates in both Vance and Warren are about half what they were in April of 2020, soon after the pandemic started.

Granville County’s unemployment rate is 3.6%, and that lands Granville County at the ninth best in the state.

Franklin County is in the middle of the pack at 4.2%.

The North Carolina Department of Commerce reports as well that the number of workers employed statewide (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in April by 4,935 to 4,757,583. Those unemployed decreased by 11,269 to 217,379. Since April 2020, the number of workers employed statewide increased 710,828, while those unemployed decreased 395,936.

For the audio and additional details, click play.

Area Extension Offices To Offer Pesticide Recertification Opportunities In June

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Warren, Vance and Granville counties are hosting a couple of virtual pesticide recertification sessions in June.

The first session is scheduled for 10 a.m. on June 10 and the second is scheduled for 6 p.m. on June 14, according to information from Matthew Place, with Warren County Cooperative Extension.

The meetings will be held via Zoom, but Place said participants can make arrangements to watch the webinars from their county’s extension offices if access to a computer or the internet is a problem.
The following category credits will be included with the June 10 class: D, L, N and X
The following category credits will be included with the June 14th class: A, B, D, G, H, I, K, L, M, N, O, T, X.

Registration is required. Visit http://go.ncsu.edu/pestclasskerrtar to register.

If you have any questions or would like to reserve a spot to watch the classes at the Warren County Center, call Place at 252.257.3640 or email at mbplace@ncsu.edu.

VGCC Graduates 47 With Associates Degree In Nursing

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Vance-Granville Community College held a virtual pinning ceremony on May 14 at 6 p.m. for the associate degree nursing Class of 2021. The ceremony celebrated the 47 graduates of the program. Family and friends were able to join in the virtual event to see the graduates receiving their pins and marking their graduation.

The ceremony was opened by Ugur Celimli, VGCC’s interim department chair of nursing.  Dr. Levy Brown, vice president of learning, student engagement, & success, gave welcoming remarks, along with Dr. Anna Seaman, associate degree nursing program head; and ADN Class of 2021 President Cortney Ragan. Seaman noted that 2020 and 2021 presented challenges for nurses and nursing students that no one could have imagined, but he commended them for their perseverance.

Nursing instructor Jamie Davis presented cords to students who participated in the VGCC Student Nurses Association, a chapter of the National Student Nurses Association. She also recognized those students graduating with honors (a GPA of 3.5 or higher): Joel Nyamohanga, Cortney Ragan, Steven Pierce, Alicia Moussa, Jolina Chiong, James Ogidi, Diana Orina, Rebekah Edwards, and Kirstie Koski. Mary Wanjiku and Susan Zenker were recognized as the two graduates with the highest GPA.

Brande McILroy shared the story of the VGCC nursing pin.  The graduates were then pinned by a person of their choosing at home.  Seaman shared where the students plan to work or their area of interest in nursing, plans for continuing education, as well as appreciation to family, friends, and the faculty for their support during their time in school. After this time, the graduates recited the nursing pledge (written by Beverly Hansen O’Malley, RN) with Vanessa Ramseur, Nursing Instructor. Dr. Anna Seaman presented the class as official graduates of the Associate Degree Nursing Class of 2021. Even though the ceremony was not able to be held on campus in the Civic Center as traditionally held, the graduates remarked that it was still a meaningful and memorable way to mark the end of their journey. The ADN students were excited to have President Rachel Desmarais and other VGCC employees in attendance virtually.

Following is a list of all graduates and where they live: Karla Garcia Cervantes and Karlee Michalina, both of Butner; Emely Aguaviva Reyes of Clayton; Jessica Haskins, Sarah Riley and Sharlett Wilson, all of Creedmoor; Cara Blalock, Justin Kortor and Chris Trotman, all of Durham; Natasha Alston, Kati Hand, Stephen Nyambariga and Esther Ogachi, all of Franklinton; Kelsie Park of Fuquay Varina; Montrella Alston of Garner; Jolina Anne Chiong, Rebekah Edwards, Adrienne Pegram, Steven Pierce, Jaslin Renteria, Ashley Speed, Chelsea Troutman and April Zuniga-Trejo, all of Henderson; Jaysia Brown and Peninah Mburu, both of Knightdale; Cortney Ragan and Leslie Mata Ruiz, both of Louisburg; Cindy Blankenship, Dianne Davis, Wyatt Holley and Monique Watson, all of Oxford; Kirstie Koski, Alicia Moussa, James Ogidi, Angela Okpara, Diana Orina and Mary Wanjiku, all of Raleigh; McKenzie Howerton of Rougemont; Rocio Crews of Stem; Jessica Black and Susan Zenker, both of Wake Forest; Tiffany Eddie, Shaquile Hawkins, Amy Matthews and Georgina Vanegas Reyes, all of Warrenton; Pamela Rucker of Youngsville; and Joel Nyamohanga of Zebulon.

32 Graduate From VGCC Radiography Program

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Thirty-two new graduates of Vance-Granville Community College’s two-year radiography program were honored in a virtual pinning ceremony earlier this month.

Although not held in the traditional manner, the May 10 event incorporated the traditional welcomes and congratulatory remarks that go along with graduations. But Angela Thomas, dean of health sciences and head of the radiography program went a step further when she welcomed all in attendance in the various languages represented in the diverse class – Amharic, English, Swahili and Spanish.

VGCC President Dr. Rachel Desmarais spoke about the students’ accomplishments amidst the trying times of a global pandemic. Desmarais wished the group well in their future endeavors and reminded the group that should they need courses in the future, VGCC would be there with open arms.

Class President Mariah Lawson delivered remarks highlighting the trials the class had to overcome and the good times they all shared throughout the 21-month journey. She concluded with a poem written especially for the radiography class of 2021 which has been coined “The Best Class Ever!” Additionally, some of the graduates communicated what the program meant to them. The overall consensus was that they were more than Radiologic Technologists; they were professionals, according to a statement from VGCC’s Chris LaRocca.

The Academic Achievement Award given to the student with the highest GPA went to Travis Banka of Durham, NC. Banka maintained a 4.0 GPA each semester for the entirety of the program. In accepting the award, he thanked the radiography program and faculty. On behalf of the class, he thanked the faculty for giving them all the tools necessary to ensure success in the program.

Instructor Anthony Twisdale shared the history of the radiographer’s pin before Dean Thomas led the graduates in reciting the radiographer’s pledge as the ceremonies concluded.

Following is a list of all graduates and where they live: Laura Andersen and Mackenzie Cates, both of Efland; Travis Banka, Belete Dress, Eden Ketema, all of Durham; Taylor Beck of Kittrell; Elizabeth Brogden, Glenn Burgess, Coleen Green, Kaylor Lawrence, Terri McGarr, and Katie Rumsey, all of Creedmoor; Cassidy Burton, Datoka Chabala, Dora Dial, and Edwin Vargas, all of Franklinton; Theresa Carrillo, Matthew Denton, Geneva Duncan, and Jakea Spruill, all of Henderson; Raegan Ellis of Prospect Hill, Lawrence Haymond of Wake Forest; Cristal Herrera and Ashley Hicks, both of Louisburg; Sierra Holland, Mariah Lawson, and Charles Maina, all of Raleigh; Osvaldo Martinez of Butner; Robyn Perry of Zebulon; Victoria Swain of Roxboro; and Carly West of Littleton. Not in attendance was Sean Murphy of Raleigh.

VGCC Logo

VGCC “Boot Camp” Offers Skills To Get Jobs, Plan For Careers

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Vance-Granville Community College is offering a job readiness “boot camp” for anyone interested in learning valuable skills to get employed and stay employed.

All four campuses are having the four-day sessions, designed to provide 24 hours of instruction, according to information from Tanya S. Weary, dean of business & industry solutions at VGCC.

The class is limited to 10 students, and will focus on several key topics, from interviewing and resume writing to goal setting and communication.

Participants should be at least 16 years old, according to Kyle Burwell, VGCC’s director of occupational extension. This type of employability skills class has been offered in the past by VGCC, but this is a new format designed to provide students with skills necessary to obtain and maintain employment.

Find the location to fit your schedule:

  • Main Campus: June 7-10
  • Warren Campus: June 21-24
  • South Campus: July 12-15
  • Franklin Campus: Aug. 2-5

For more information, contact VGCC at 252.738.3276 or visit https://www.vgcc.edu/coned/hrd/

TownTalk 5-18-21 Mobile Learning Lab “Open Bus” Event May 22

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Chalis Henderson gives credit where credit is due. And Henderson credits her father for coming up with an idea that is finally coming to fruition – the Creating Success Mobile Learning Lab.

What used to be a mode of transportation to take students to and from school now brings the school to the students – it’s a former bus.

The public is invited to come check it out on Saturday, May 22 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Oasis of Hope Ministries, 2495 US 158 bypass in Henderson.  There will be a deejay playing music, as well as food and lawn games for the whole family to enjoy.

Henderson was Tuesday’s guest on Town Talk and told host Trey Snide how the idea for a mobile learning lab came about. She is the executive director of Turning Point Community Development Corporation, a nonprofit whose mission is to be a catalyst for development and empowerment of residents in Vance, Warren, Granville and Franklin counties.

She and her father were talking a few years ago about how they could expand the building where the church was holding its education program. Henderson said she thought of maybe hauling in a shipping container to the church, but then her father said, “Why don’t you use a bus?” That’s when the idea of a classroom on wheels began, she said.

Warren County government gave them the money to buy the bus, and over the past couple of years, that bus has been transformed.

“We want everyone to come out and witness the lab firsthand,” Henderson said. The computers are in place, and there will be a slideshow that will “paint the story of the development of the learning lab,” she said.

They ripped out the bench seats and created a flexible-space classroom equipped with laptops – a comfortable space for children and adults, Henderson said. “It’s been such a rewarding process to see it develop,” she said. “We know it’s going to be a great resource for the community.” Whether it’s children learning something new about technology, or having a session for grownups, Henderson said she anticipates that anyone who participates will leave feeling smarter and more empowered.

Turning Point CDC works to bring resources to rural communities and to bridge the gap that exists between those resources and the people who may need them.

Visit www.turningpointcdc.org to learn more.

For complete details and audio click play.

 

Vance United Way Grant Proposals Due By June 11

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The United Way of Vance County grant application process for 2021 is now open.

Local non-profit agencies that seek to provide assistance to disadvantaged citizens in Vance and Warren counties in the areas of basic needs, health and education are invited to submit applications, according to United Way board member Desiree Brooks.

The application deadline is Friday, June 11

Visit www.unitedwayvance.org to download an application or request an application via email at unitedwayofvance@gmail.com.

Brooks reminded prospective applicants to make sure to fill out the application in its entirety; incomplete applications will not be considered for grant funding.

Send completed and signed applications to:

United Way of Vance County,

P.O. Box 1352

Henderson, N.C. 27536

Applications also may be sent electronically to unitedwayofvance@gmail.com.

United Way staff will contact agencies to keep them updated on the status of their applications and to schedule presentations to the Funds Allocation Committee on June 16, Brooks added.

Call Brooks at 252.432.4847 to learn more or email unitedwayofvance@gmail.com.

Acting U.S. Attorney G. Norman Acker, III Recognizes Police Week 2021

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In honor of National Police Week, Acting U.S. Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina G. Norman Acker, III recognizes the service and sacrifice of federal, state, local, and Tribal law enforcement. This year, the week is observed Sunday, May 9 through Saturday, May 15, 2021.

“This week is a time to honor our law enforcement officers who have made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation,” said Attorney General Garland. “I am constantly inspired by the extraordinary courage and dedication with which members of law enforcement act each day, putting their lives on the line to make our communities safer. To members of law enforcement and your families: we know that not a single day, nor a single week, is enough to recognize your service and sacrifice. On behalf of the entire Department of Justice, you have our unwavering support and eternal gratitude.”

“During Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of police officers from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty and commitment in keeping our communities safe,” said Acting United States Attorney Acker.  “I want to acknowledge the work performed by federal, state, and local law enforcement, who often face uncertain and dangerous situations without question and without expectation of thanks.  We want them to know they have our unwavering support and appreciation.”

In 1962, President Kennedy issued the first proclamation for Peace Officers Memorial Day and National Police Week to remember and honor law enforcement officers for their service and sacrifices.  Peace Officers Memorial Day, which every year falls on May 15, specifically honors law enforcement officers killed or disabled in the line of duty.

Each year, during National Police Week, our nation celebrates the contributions of law enforcement from around the country, recognizing their hard work, dedication, loyalty, and commitment to keeping our communities safe. This year the COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted law enforcement officers’ courage and unwavering devotion to the communities that they have sworn to serve.

During the Roll Call of Heroes, a ceremony coordinated by the Fraternal Order of Police (FOP), more than 300 officers will be honored.  Based on data submitted to and analyzed by the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), of the law enforcement officers who died nationwide in the line of duty in 2020, nearly 60 percent succumbed to COVID-19. Here in the Eastern District of North Carolina, two officers died in the line of duty.

Additionally, according to statistics reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) through the Law Enforcement Officer Killed and Assaulted (LEOKA) Program, 46 law enforcement officers died as a result of felonious acts and 47 died in accidents in 2020.  LEOKA statistics can be found on FBI’s Crime Data Explorer website.

The names of the 394 fallen officers who have been added in 2020 to the wall at the National Law Enforcement Officer Memorial will be read on Thursday, May 13, 2021, during a Virtual Candlelight Vigil, which will be livestreamed to the public at 8:00 pm EDT. The Police Week in-person public events, originally scheduled for May, have been rescheduled due to ongoing COVID-19 concerns to October 13-17, 2021. An in-person Candlelight Vigil event is scheduled for October 14, 2021.

Those who wish to view the Virtual Candlelight Vigil on May 13, 2021, can watch on the NLEOMF YouTube channel found at https://www.youtube.com/user/TheNLEOMF. The FOP’s Roll Call of Heroes can be viewed at www.fop.net. To view the schedule of virtual Police Week events in May, please view NLEOMF’s Police Week Flyer.

To learn more about National Police Week in-person events scheduled for October, please visit www.policeweek.org.

 

Kerr-Tar Agency on Aging Helps Families Find Options for Care

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Family members often find themselves pitching in to help older parents, grandparents or siblings with their daily living needs. Providing that extra support, however, often comes at the expense of their own needs. And sometimes, they just need a break.

The Kerr-Tar Area Agency on Aging can help those caregivers connect with resources to assist with the kind of service – for the care receiver and the care giver, said Austin Caton, Kerr-Tar family caregiver support specialist. Caton and Camille Koonce, a certified case manager and eldercare consultant, discussed some local options with John C. Rose on Thursday’s Town Talk.

Navigating through the various programs and services can be confusing and time-consuming, but Caton can help untangle the knots for families to access the option that best suits their needs.

One program is called respite care, Caton said, which provides unpaid primary caregivers a break from the responsibilities of caring for a family member. “The caregivers are just depleted,” he said. There are vouchers funded through the Older Americans Act that can help pay for this respite care so the primary caregiver can do things like go to the grocery store or get a haircut.

“Some people will use someone they know – from church, a neighbor, a family member not living in the home,” Caton said. Other people will contact a local home care agency, and Caton can provide a professional referral. The agency will conduct an assessment and set up a schedule for the respite care, he added. The voucher can help pay for this service.

Often, caregivers are juggling the demands of a full-time job and family obligations with providing that extra care for a family member in need. There are day programs that provide those needing care with a place to spend the day while the primary caregiver is at work. These programs can cost between $50 -$75 a day, but Koonce said it may be the best option for all parties involved. Day programs offer a way for participants to socialize with one another while being supervised by a staff of caregivers.

They explained the difference between home care and home health. Home care is non-medical care, like preparing meals, light housework, medication reminders and helping a care recipient get from a chair to a bed and back again –any daily activities that person may need help with. Insurance doesn’t cover this expense, but help with paying for it may be available through veteran’s programs or long-term care insurance, for example.

Nurses provide home health care, Koonce said, and includes wound care, administering IV medication and other things that require a doctor’s orders to perform.

“There’s a big push right now for family members to stay comfortably in the home,” Caton said, “because of the skyrocketing cost of health care.” Expect to pay $9,000 -10,000 a month, he said, for a bed in a long-term skilled care facility.

Contact Caton by phone 252.436.2040 ext. 6072 or apply at www.kerrtarcog.gov.

“It’s a pretty simple process,” he said. He or others will complete an assessment – either in home or by telephone – to get started. “We want to be a wholistic, all-encompassing agency (to) help identify those needs or whatever you’re struggling with and help get you to the right place and the right services,” he said.

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