ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER

Caregiving Gone Wrong: Caregiver Fraud

Caregiver Fraud

When caregiving turns more into taking… you might have a problem. As our largest population is reaching their elderly years, caregiving is becoming more common and, to be frank, necessary. Often elders or family members of elders hire caregivers to come into the senior’s home to help them with their day-to-day tasks, such as shopping for and preparing meals, getting to appointments, and making sure needs are met. But we at Evans Law Firm over the years have witnessed unscrupulous caregivers take advantage of seniors. If you or someone you know is a victim of caregiver fraud in California, call Evans Law Firm, Inc. today at 415-441-8669, and we can help.

Studies show that caregivers are increasingly perpetrators of financial elder abuse against the very seniors they are hired to care for. Caregivers know firsthand how vulnerable, and likely forgetful, their patients are. The isolation and dependence of the senior are fertile ground for predators and caregivers can be subtle in their initial advances. They may start out, say, by convincing an elder to give them gifts, then ask them to pay some of their bills or even go as far as to convince an elder to write them into their will. One of the early warning signs are caregivers who become too friendly with the elder, isolating family members and other friends in the process.

Stopping abuse before it happens is critical. . Screen potential caregivers very carefully, and spend time with the elder and caregiver together to monitor any suspicious behavior. Ask the elder if you or a trusted individual or third party can oversee their financials, including bank accounts. This can help catch fraud before it even happens. And finally, don’t hesitate to report suspicions to the authorities. Elder abuse is one of the most underreported crimes. We as community members need to do our due diligence to make sure our seniors are protected. Finally, while reporting financial elder abuse to the authorities is important, always pursue all civil remedies available to seniors under California elder abuse law. We at Evans Law Firm have vast experience with financial elder abuse cases of all varieties and know the remedies and extra damages to which you or your victimized loved one may be entitled. Call us today at (415)441-8669.

Contact Us

If you or a loved one been the victim of elder abuse in Alameda County, or in any California county, contact the Evans Law Firm elder abuse attorneys at (415) 441-8669, or by email at info@evanslaw.com. Our attorneys have experience with complex financial contracts and large insurance companies. We can help guide your case through a jury trial or toward an equitable settlement. We handle cases involving physical and financial elder abuse, qui tam and whistleblower law, nursing home abuse, whole life insurance and universal life insurance, and indexed, variable, and fixed annuities.