Unfortunately, elderly individuals residing in nursing homes are often victims of many types of abuse and mistreatment. One form of mistreatment that nursing home residents are often unaware of is elder financial abuse, which is the illegal or improper use of another’s assets, funds or property.
Learn more about financial abuse in nursing homes and get help today if you suspect your loved one is a victim. Our Savannah nursing home abuse attorneys are committed to protecting the rights of elderly individuals residing in nursing homes. Contact us for a free, no obligation consultation to discuss your legal options.
Types of Financial Abuse in Nursing Homes
Elder financial abuse in nursing homes can take many forms, including:
- Stealing money or possessions
- Fraud to gain control of the resident’s assets
- Coerced property or asset transfers
- Opening accounts in the resident’s name, without his or her permission
- Improper use of power of attorney
- Using funds without permission
- Signature forgery, including on checks or other documents
- Coercing a resident into signing over deeds, power of attorney or wills
- Telemarketing scams to get the resident to send money
Who Commits Financial Abuse?
Virtually anyone who has access to an elderly resident’s funds or assets could commit elder financial abuse in a nursing home setting. Financial exploitation and abuse is commonly conducted by:
- Family members
- Lawyers
- Friends
- Doctors
- Caregivers
- Business people
Caregivers or medical professionals may refuse to provide care unless the senior gives money or property. They may use dishonesty and other deception to gain access to the resident’s finances, or enact telemarketing scams tricking the elderly individual into sending money.
Signs of Financial Abuse
Financial abuse often happens without the elderly person’s knowledge. There are also situations where the resident does not inform family members or others out of fear that the abuser will retaliate.
These are the main reasons why it is important for loved ones to know the signs of financial abuse. This can help you protect your loved from abuse or stop it once you discover it.
Common signs of financial abuse include:
- Withdrawals from bank accounts that your loved one cannot explain
- Unexpected changes to financial documents, wills or power of attorney
- Your loved one’s living conditions are below his or her financial means
- Your loved one is being charged for a name-brand prescription, but you find they are being given a generic
- Your loved one does not have medical devices or mobility equipment that has been paid for
- Credit or debit cards are missing from his or her possession or there are unexplained charges on statements
- Contracts or checks have been fraudulently signed or signatures have been forged
- Your loved one’s checks have been cashed but funds are missing
- Additional names have been added to your loved one’s bank accounts, credit cards or assets
- Belongings are missing
- Your loved one is reluctant to discuss financial issues when he or she was previously forthcoming about financial information
- Checks are written directly to a financial professional or caregiver
Get Legal Help Now
The Savannah nursing home abuse lawyers of Roden Law are committed to protecting the rights of nursing home residents. If you or your loved one is being abused financially while residing in a nursing home, a personal injury lawyer from our firm can investigate your case and help you pursue responsible parties for the compensation you deserve.
Schedule a free, no obligation consultation now and learn what legal options are available in your situation. Working with our firm, there are no upfront fees. We only get paid if you recover compensation in your case.