ATTORNEY NEWSLETTER
Caregiver Allegedly Stole $4000 And Neglected Elderly Woman
Neighbor Called 911
Victim Admitted To Hospital For Malnutrition And Skin Deterioration
Sadly, we share too many stories of seniors and dependent adults who suffer from neglect and abuse by in-home caregivers. Where a dishonest caregiver is after a patient’s money, actually caring for that elder means little to the caregiver. In fact, the neglect may be intentional if the caregiver has been able to arrange for changes in a patient’s estate plans and hopes to hasten the patient’s death in order to take the elder’s entire estate or a big part of it or their home. Or, the caregiver may be taking money needed to pay rent, utilities, medical care or other bills of the victim’s. Any form of financial elder abuse and certain forms of neglect are crimes and grounds for civil liability of the abuser. California Penal Code § 368 and Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15610.30 (definition of financial elder abuse); Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15610.57 (definition of neglect). In a recently reported caregiver arrest, discussed below, a caregiver has been arrested on charges of neglect and financial elder abuse of the 80-year-old woman she was paid to care for. If you or a loved one is a victim of financial elder or dependent adult abuse or neglect in San Mateo County or elsewhere in California call us today at (415)441-8669. Our toll-free number is 1-888-50EVANS (888-503-8267).
Caregiver Arrested For Neglect And Financial Elder Abuse
In a recently reported case,[1] the primary caregiver of an elderly woman was arrested for abusing/neglecting a woman she was responsible for caring for, and for taking advantage of the woman’s finances. Police learned of possible neglect of the 80-year-old woman after a neighbor found her in need of medical care and called 911. The woman was admitted to a local hospital for malnourishment and skin deterioration. An officer determined that the caregiver was responsible for caring for the woman and her finances, both of which had been neglected. According to a police report, the arrested caregiver allegedly spent nearly $4,000 of the woman’s money on non-essential items instead of the woman’s rent and care. The victim is now recovering in a convalescent center and the arrested caregiver is awaiting trial on charges of elder abuse and neglect.
Protecting Senior Loved Ones
This kind of deplorable neglect and abuse of a senior or dependent adult can really only be prevented if family, loved ones, and neighbors stay involved in the elder’s or disabled person’s life. Fortunately, in the reported case a neighbor called 911 after she found the elder malnourished and suffering. If a loved one or friend is under the care of an in-home caregiver, visit often and look for any signs of neglect or abuse such as bruises, pressure wounds/bed sores, scratch marks, weight loss, or behavioral changes that might suggest they are being abused, neglect, or overmedicated. Monitor all financial accounts of the older person and pay special attention to where their monthly Social Security or pension benefits are being deposited. Never ever allow the senior to give a caregiver or nursing home staff member a Power of Attorney. If you suspect abuse, call elder law counsel to help you pursue all available remedies against anyone responsible for abuse, including an award of attorneys’ fees and costs for bringing your suit under Cal. Welf. & Inst. Code § 15657.5.
Contact Us
If you or someone you love is an older or dependent adult victim of any neglect or financial abuse in San Mateo County or elsewhere in California, call Ingrid M. Evans at Evans Law Firm, Inc. 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).
[1] Evans Law Firm, Inc. was not involved in the reported case in any way.
