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FOURTH AND FINAL REGIONAL NURSING HOME ABUSE AND NEGLECT

WASHINGTON, D.C. - As part of its Nursing Home Initiative, the Department of Justice has sponsored four Regional Nursing Home Abuse and Neglect Prevention Conferences. The fourth of those conferences will begin on Wednesday, February 23, 2000, at the National Advocacy Center (the Department's training facility) in Columbia, SC at 8:30 a.m. Assistant Deputy Attorney General John T. Bentivoglio, U.S. Attorney J. Rene Josey and other law enforcement and government officials, will address the conference. The other three conferences were held in the second half of 1999 in Los Angeles, Philadelphia and Des Moines.

The first morning sessions of the conference will be open to the media. After opening remarks, Senora Russell, whose father died as a result of inadequate treatment in a nursing home, will talk about the "Impact of Abuse and Neglect" on the victim and family members. Catherine Hawes, a Senior Research Scientist with Myers Research Institute for the Aging, will discuss "The History and Impact of Enforcement." The first two panels will provide an overview of the "Players in the Nursing Home System and its Current Status," and the "Industry Perspective."

The two and a half-day conference will focus on increased scrutiny, coordination and enforcement to deter abuse and neglect and promote appropriate care for the vulnerable residents of nursing homes. In addition to stepping up law enforcement efforts to protect America's elderly and taxpayers, the conference also will serve to launch State Working Groups that will promote these efforts at the state level on an on-going basis. SWGs formed during the first three conferences are pursuing a variety of issues. Conference participants include a broad interdisciplinary group of federal, state and local law enforcement officials, regulators, surveyors, advocates and others.

WHEN: Wednesday, February 23, 2000

8:30 to 9:15 a.m.

Welcoming/Opening Remarks

9:15 to 10:15 a.m.

First two sessions: "Impact of Abuse and Neglect" and

"The History and Impact of Enforcement"

10:30 to 11:40 a.m.

11:40 to 12:40 p.m.

WHERE: National Advocacy Center

1620 Pendleton Street

Columbia, South Carolina 29201

TELEPHONE: (803) 544-5000

FAX: (803) 544-5038

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