Financial Abuse in Nursing Homes 

When you have placed your loved one in the care of nursing home staff, you may think that things are going well. Your loved one is getting their basic needs met, the nurses there are taking care of their treatment and medication, and you find that the living conditions are safe and clean. For many people, this is the ideal situation when they are unable to personally care for their loved ones. However, abuse does not always show physical signs of injury. You may have noticed that your loved one was losing money, making withdrawals, or making changes to their financial situation that seem unexpected. When this is the case, you may be dealing with a staff member at the nursing home who is financially abusing your loved one. 

How do I know financial abuse is occurring? 

If you have an eye on your loved one’s finances, you may have a good opportunity to know if something seems suspicious. For example, financial abuse may be occurring if you see: 

• Atypical changes to your loved one’s bank accounts or credit cards
• Your loved one has a different attitude about money 
• They cannot explain what is happening with their money or accounts 
• Your loved one has loans taken out in their name
• Your loved one has suddenly given financial control to other parties

Any of the above signs can indicate that your loved one has either been forced to make changes to their finances unwillingly or that someone else has taken their information and made these changes. When you suspect that either situation is the case, it is time to call a lawyer, like a nursing home lawyer from a law firm like Brown Kiely, LLP. 

What should you do? 

The first thing you should do is always try to speak with your loved one. They may not be in the state of mind where they understand what is going on or they may be embarrassed to admit what is going on, but it is best to create a safe environment where they can be honest with you. Next, you should speak with a lawyer about your suspicions. A lawyer may recommend talking with the administration at the nursing home about your suspicions or may want to begin by gathering evidence. When you believe your loved one is experiencing financial abuse, get legal help for them that you can trust.