ELDER FRAUD and ELDER ABUSE

Elder Fraud may occur as a result of a person’s incapacity, loneliness or a very trusting nature. It is not confined to the telephone con-man or unscrupulous roofing or siding salesman. It can be committed by members of your own family whom you have turned to by putting your money in their name for “safe keeping”. Remember joint accounts of any kind, mean just that, they belong to those parties named. Unless absolutely necessary retain your financial independence for so long as you are fully competent to make all decisions; what is yours is yours and do not let anyone impose their will upon you.

Elder abuse is a very serious and ongoing issue in this country. Abuse comes in many forms – physical, emotional, psychological, financial or in the form of neglect. It occurs in all care environments – the home, the hospital and the long term care setting. Abuse can be committed by professional care providers but more often is committed by relatives of the senior for a variety of reasons. The main form of abuse is financial An example: “If you don’t give me $5,000 right now, you will never see your grandchildren again.”

That’s why it is crucial that seniors choose people they can trust – not necessarily family – as their Powers of Attorneys for Property and personal Care.

Finally, if you or someone you know is suffering from abuse, report it to the police.

It is a sad thing to say, but elder fraud and elder abuse are centered on greed, power and money, their greed and power and your money.