Is my mother suffering financial abuse in her Fort Pierce nursing home?

Unfortunately, some Fort Pierce nursing home staff members may be tempted to take advantage of the patients they are supposed to be caring for. Many rationalize this behavior as a perk to their paycheck, or a benefit that they are owed.

It’s not-it’s stealing. And they’re stealing from someone you love.

Some common ways Florida nursing home staff can profit from your elderly parent:

• Stealing personal information to access a resident’s bank account
• Cashing a resident’s check without permission or knowledge of the patient
• Forging signatures on documents, including wills or pensions
• Impersonating a senior by using his personal information online
• Taking cash or valuables from a resident’s room
• Using a patient’s credit cards to pay bills or buy personal items
• Threatening an elder to remain silent after property has been stolen
• Willfully deceiving an elderly patient into signing a will or contract that benefits the staff member

Check for these signs of elder financial abuse in Fort Pierce:

• Unexplained expenses. Large bank withdrawals, undue checks written to the nursing home, or even a trip to a grocery or hardware store could signal coercion or theft of a patient’s bank card.
• Strange signatures. Nursing home staff may forge signatures on medical documents, but also deeds, vehicle titles, or other records of ownership. Check your parent’s will and other documents to make certain the signatures are genuine, and that there aren’t any beneficiaries you don’t recognize.
• Unconcerned administrators. It’s not just the staff who can steal from residents. In some cases, the administrators or owners of the nursing home are aware of the happenings-or are involved themselves.
• Continued contact. It’s common for elderly residents to develop friendships with their caretakers, but sometimes workers stay in contact to continue exploiting their patients. If a nursing home staff member tries to continue employment by offering your parent shopping or household chores, they may be no different than a burglar looking for a way into your parent’s home.

As trusted Fort Pierce elder abuse attorneys, we know that you want only the best care for your parent. That is why it’s important to investigate any unexplained behavior as soon as you notice it-even actions that look thoughtful, such as phone calls or unannounced visits, could potentially be threatening.

If someone in a Fort Pierce nursing home took advantage of an elderly relative, we can help you get justice for your family. Call Fetterman & Associates today (866) 865-1244 for a free consultation.