Bell & Schneider, PLC

Protecting Grandma

If you have an elderly relative being cared for by someone else, you'll be interested to know that caregiver fraud is on the rise and usually goes undetected and unreported until it is too late.
Elders typically fall prey either to an unrelated scam artist working as an aide or caregiver, or - in remarkable 60 percent of cases - to their own adult children. An aged or infirm parent often gives power of attorney to a child to handle the bills and finances. Sometimes, however, the child decides to dip into the parent's assets for his or her own use, justifying it as payment for services rendered. Sometimes the child might even coerce the parent to change his or her will, making that child the sole beneficiary.

Non-family caregivers can also cheat people out of their lifetime savings. This is particularly true for elders living far away from their children, who must depend on others for daily care. Be suspicious if your relative suddenly seems to be short of money, if her care seems to be declining, if the caregiver is evasive about her, and especially if you are kept from speaking or visiting with your relative.

Family members who are concerned that an elderly relative is the victim of fraud should contact their lawyer and the state Attorney General's office. The relative may be unaware of what is going on, or simply too embarrassed to report crime. A thorough investigation and trial may be able to restore some of what has been lost. The best protection from elder fraud, of course, is prevention: keep in close touch with your elderly loved ones.

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