Elder abuse, especially when it occurs in nursing homes, is a major concern for aging adults and the people who love them. Families that move their loved ones into nursing homes and similar facilities expect appropriate care and compassionate treatment from the professionals working at those facilities.
Unfortunately, abuse is somewhat common at nursing homes. Physical and emotional abuse are obviously cause for concern at nursing homes. However, financial abuse of elders is also concerningly common. The following are some of the most common types of financial abuse occurring at long-term care facilities, like nursing homes.
Stealing possessions
One of the most common forms of financial abuse in a nursing home involves the outright theft of residents’ property. Nursing home workers may target particularly valuable property and assets that belong to those who seem particularly vulnerable. Those dealing with cognitive decline and those who do not have frequent interactions with their family members may be at particularly high risk of having jewelry, watches and other valuables stolen.
Misuse of financial resources
Sometimes, nursing home employees take cash out of the wallets and purses of residents. Other times, they might write themselves checks or issue checks to their creditors using the financial accounts of nursing home residents. They might also copy credit card numbers or take a credit card to use at the store. If they shop on behalf of an older adult, they might add a few items for personal use to the cart every time they go to the store on behalf of a nursing home resident. All of those behaviors lead to the reduction of the resources of older adults without their consent or knowledge.
The application of undue influence
Financial abuse can sometimes overlap with physical and emotional abuse. Professional caregivers might attempt to exert undue influence on a resident’s estate plan. They may appeal to their sense of empathy in some cases by creating a tragic background story for themselves. Other times, they might threaten to withhold someone’s medications or turn away their visitors if the resident doesn’t make certain changes to an existing estate plan. Older adults may then feel compelled to change their estate planning paperwork in a way that no longer reflects their true wishes.
Uncovering signs of financial abuse at a nursing home could lead families to move a loved one from that facility. They may also need to take legal action, especially if the elder financial abuse has been consistent and has substantially diminished the resources of their loved one. Older adults should not have to worry about their caregivers stealing from them. Families may have to fight back when caregiving professionals use their positions for self-enrichment.