ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Remember Senior Loved Ones and Friends On The Fourth
Maintain An Active Role In Senior Lives
Happy Fourth of July 2024! Holidays are made for good times with family and friends and we at Evans Law Firm wish you a happy and safe Fourth of July. We hope you spend time with loved ones and friends this summer holiday. We especially hope you’ll include any senior loved ones in your holiday. We represent a lot of seniors in our practice and see too often the harmful consequences when they’re isolated or forgotten.
An isolated older person is particularly susceptible to financial abuse and fraud. We have seen caregivers, insurance agents, financial advisors, retirement planners, contractors, agents under Powers of Attorney, new “friends”, second spouses, and others financially abuse lonely seniors here in San Francisco and throughout California. We represent the victims of any financial elder abuse and pursue all available remedies against persons or businesses responsible for the harm. California law provides additional damages and remedies for senior victims, including awards of attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in bringing an elder abuse case in certain circumstances. If you or a loved one has been the victim of any form of elder abuse in San Francisco, elsewhere in the Bay Area, or anywhere in the State of California call us today at (415)441-8669 and we can help. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
Here are some helpful hints to make July 4th outings senior-friendly:
- Start your festivities early in the day. Many seniors tire by late afternoon or evening and those suffering from dementia may have “sundowning” symptoms like late-day confusion and anxiety.
- Standing is tiring. Make sure they always have a comfortable seat that supports their back. Bring a cushion, portable chair, or wheelchair if needed.
- Bring their favorite non-alcoholic beverages and frequently encourage them to drink so they’ll stay hydrated.
- Take regular bathroom breaks to increase comfort and reduce or eliminate the chance of an accident.
- For seniors with Alzheimer’s or dementia, limit the time spent at large gatherings to reduce the chance they’ll get agitated, anxious, or angry.
Protecting Seniors From Financial Elder Abuse
For the long haul, here are some tips on preventing financial elder abuse for you to consider as you begin or resume a more active role in a senior loved one’s life:
- Always run a background check and contact references for any in-home caregiver before hiring them.
- Visit and speak with senior loved ones alone. Do not let any caregiver or nursing home aide hover while you talk. If something is wrong, the senior may be too frightened to speak in front of the third person. Also, if you are speaking about financial matters, someone may eavesdrop ad pick up important confidential information.
- Frequently review the senior’s bank statements, records and mail. Consider with the senior whether it would be safer to have bank statements sent to your address so that caregivers do not have access to important mil.
- Keep ATM and credit cards safely out of reach from caregivers and strangers who enter the senior’s home.
- Store silver, jewelry and other valuables safely away.
- Keep important papers like Wills, Trusts, and Powers of Attorney in s safe place and out of eyesight of any caregiver.
- Never ever grant a Power of Attorney to a caregiver or show them a trust, Will or other financial papers.
- Never designate a caregiver as an authorized signer on any bank account.
- Keep Social Security numbers and account numbers in a secure place, off limits to any in-home caregivers.
Report any suspicions to the police but also call elder abuse counsel to pursue all civil remedies available to senior victims under California elder abuse law. Evans Law Firm, Inc. handles elder abuse cases of all varieties and know the remedies, extra damages, and awards of attorneys’ fees and costs to which you or your victimized loved one is entitled.
Contact Us
If you or a loved one been the victim of elder abuse in San Francisco or elsewhere in California, contact Ingrid M. Evans at the Evans Law Firm at (415) 441-8669, or by email at <a href=”mailto:info@evanslaw.com”>info@evanslaw.com</a>. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
