The author, Irene A. Masiello, is a New York City-based magazine columnist, writing on various topics, particularly, spiritual development and personal empowerment.

She’s also a member of the Elder Justice Coalition.

In memory of her late father, a portion of her proceeds from this book will be donated to support elder awareness and justice.

Irene Masiello is available to speak to your group. She can also provide free by-lined articles for your publication to raise awareness of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation.

VINE COMMUNICATIONS, INC.
(305) 447-8678

info@vinecommunicationsinc.com
or at irenemasiello@msn.com

Bennett Blum, M.D., is an internationally acclaimed physician specializing in both forensic psychiatry and geriatric psychiatry. He is an expert on the evaluation of undue influence - including the manipulation tactics, coercion and psychological conditions used by offenders to abuse and exploit others. His pioneering assessment techniques in the areas of undue influence, mental capacity, and competency are taught throughout much of the Western Hemisphere. For more about Dr. Blum

"Paradise Costs is a tragic, true-life tale. Unfortunately, the behaviors depicted herein are all too common. No one

knows how often criminals, 'brand new best friends' or family members exploit the elderly. And this was one of the questions considered at a 2005 conference attended by experts on elder financial abuse from around the U.S. Their working conclusion was that 1-out-of-6 elderly would be victims.

Money has always been associated with the worst of human behavior. Elder financial abuse is no exception. Some of the people taking assets from the elderly have been tied to gang violence, prostitution and drug trafficking. Their elderly victims are often subjected to physical abuse, neglect, abandonment, sexual abuse and murder. As one longtime investigator of elder financial abuse says, 'Once the money is gone, all that is left is a witness.'

Much of my career is devoted to protecting the elderly and ensuring that their legacies are kept intact. To that end, I have created two lists of behaviors. The first, 'IDEAL,' helps analyze whether the elder is becoming, or has been, a victim of undue influence. The second, 'PARADISE-2,' helps recognize changes in the elder's mental abilities.

Both of these lists are used by Adult Protective Services, Public Guardian, Public Fiduciary Offices, law enforcement and attorneys in much of the United States and in other countries, as well. However, it is not necessary to be a physician, mental health professional or other specialist to use them. Carefully note how people behave and what they say and you will have a powerful way to recognize -- and begin to correct -- these problems.
 
I hope you find the lists above in the pages that follow to be helpful --
and I hope that someday they will not be necessary."

SNN is collecting stories of elder abuse, neglect and exploitation for submission to the advocacy groups on behalf of the untold, countless victims of elder abuse, exploitation and neglect.

Please tell us your story in a 1000 words or less and include your contact phone number and/or e-mail address. Submit your story in an e-mail; no attachments
will be opened. Please make sure to use spell check and edit for proper grammar.

All stories will remain the property of those who submit them. No anonymous stories will be included in this collection and your contact information will be validated before it is passed on to any advocacy, legislative or media agency.

Please send your e-mail stories and contact information to the publisher at StarNetNews@cs.com or to the mailing address:

STARLIGHT NETWORK NEWS, INC.
Suite 40-402
Glen Oaks, New York
11004-9998

Thank you.

PLEASE NOTE TERMS OF USE: While we will attempt to present personal stories about alleged abuses, Irene A. Masiello, Paradise Costs--A Victim's Daughter Fights Back against Elder Abuse or the Starlight Network News, Inc (SNN) has no personal knowledge of or concerning the statements made in any individual story and has not conducted nor will any of the parties above do any independent investigation as to the truthfulness or accuracy of any individual claims. The author of the statements is solely responsible for the content of those statements and all facts, observations, theories and opinions expressed in those statements. Individual stories are versions of events based upon the declarations and alleged declarations of aggrieved parties. No final judgment has been made concerning the credibility of any or all of these statements nor is one being made, expressly or impliedly, by their publication here or elsewhere nor can one be made without a complete, independent investigation. We urge you to report any and all suspected offenses of elder abuse, exploitation or neglect to your state and local law enforcement authorities immediately. Thank you.