Nursing homes are supposed to be safe environments where older adults receive the care and support they need to enjoy their golden years. Unfortunately, not everyone who works at a nursing home will treat the residents with the dignity and respect that they deserve.
Some people who work at nursing homes may become verbally abusive toward residents, while others can even be physically aggressive with them. Some kinds of abuse in nursing homes will be more subtle. Financial abuse may not be obvious until after it has done major damage to someone’s situation or after someone dies.
How does financial abuse occur in nursing homes?
Financial abuse takes many different forms, some of which are more direct than others. Many kinds of financial abuse that could occur in a nursing home violate federal laws. A staff member could steal possessions or cash from a resident, take their credit card to use or write themselves checks, any of which could cause financial hardship for the residents involved.
Some nursing home workers may even try to extort money from the residents in their care, demanding tips or payment for the services they should provide no matter what. They could leave people waiting for hours to punish them for not paying extra for their basic care. Still, others might manipulate an older adult and try to elicit that person’s pity to eventually receive some of their property as a beneficiary of their estate.
Family members who suspect financial abuse may need to take action against an employee or a facility. Recognizing the warning signs of financial abuse by someone in a caregiver position can help you better protect your vulnerable loved one living in a nursing home.