In America, thousands of elderly people are abused every year. Whether it is neglect, emotional abuse, physical abuse or financial abuse, the elderly today face quite a few challenges. Typically speaking, elder abuse occurs at the place of residence for the party involved. Whether this is their home, a relative or friend’s home or a nursing care facility, abuse can usually be traced back to the residence.
Financial abuse is common among the elderly. The exploiters tend to take advantage of elderly people’s diminished capacities, lack of understanding and generally trusting nature.
To spot financial abuse, it is important to know what to look for. Typically, a caregiver who is financially abusing someone will:
1. Use the elderly person’s account and/or credit cards
2. Forge their signature on documents
3. Steal cash or checks
4. Steal personal possessions from the elder’s house or room
Another important aspect of financial abuse is to look out for scam artists. And while everyone is liable to be had by a scam artist, elderly people are three times more likely to fall into a scam artist’s trap. Typically, scam artists use four different ‘racketeering’ sets.
• Fake charities
• Investment/pyramid schemes
• Prize winnings that require account numbers to collect
• Banking issues
Financial abuse and exploitation are wrong. Exploiters will take advantage of an elderly person’s state of mind or lack thereof to manipulate and take advantage of them. If you or someone you know is or has been exploited financially, contact the website of Atlanta, Georgia nursing home abuse and neglect attorneys Robbins & Associates P.C.