#2: inexplicable financial
drains
If your more senior relatives are no longer focused
on their own finances, someone else from within
the family or possibly an outside auditor should
be retained to periodically check in on their
finances. It is sadly common for people to violate
the elder law and steal from the bank account
of someone living in an assisted care facility,
simply because they know it’s unlikely they’ll be
caught. If you do catch someone stealing from
your family, or even suspect it, hire a litigation
attorney immediately.
#3: a change in
personality
It can be tempting to write off a changing
personality as a symptom of old age, but it often
means much more. If you haven’t seen your loved
one interacting with the aides, now would be a
good time to start observing it. If you notice any
hints of fear or unhappiness in that relationship,
consider hiring a litigation lawyer to pursue the
case further.
#4: strange behavior
from family, friends, or
caregivers
If anyone involved with your elderly family
member starts to behave strangely, you should
immediately wonder why. There have been many
cases where an individual who is stealing from or
abusing a senior will start to feel guilty, but don’t
want to admit it because they fear an elder law
trial and prosecution by a litigation attorney. If
you suspect that someone involved with your
loved one has something to hide, approach a
litigation lawyer immediately.
#5: something isn’t right
When you visit your family member, you should
feel that they are secure and happy wherever
they are. You should also be aware of anything
that might make them more vulnerable to abuse
or fraud, such as blindness or other disabilities.
If you feel at any time that something is out of
place, don’t hesitate to call an elder law specialist.
Contacting an attorney sooner rather than later
is always the better plan, even if it turns out that
your suspicions are unfounded.
Article by Chris Harmen
/springlakerehab.com
