Financial Exploitation of Seniors in Illinois Nursing Homes

 Posted on November 12,2021 in Nursing Home Abuse

Although it is difficult to countenance anyone taking advantage of a vulnerable senior citizen, elder abuse happens every day in Illinois nursing homes. Nursing home staff or other occupants may take advantage of a senior resident’s imperfect mental health or memory to steal money from them or manipulate them into spending money in a way that seems, at least superficially, to be voluntary. 

The financial abuse of nursing home residents has long-term consequences for the well-being of the victims. Years of hard work and savings can be decimated by the behavior of one unscrupulous individual. If you believe that your loved one has been victimized by financial abuse in a nursing home or residential care facility, a qualified Illinois nursing home abuse attorney may be able to help you hold the perpetrator or the facility responsible. 

How Widespread is Elder Financial Abuse? 

Research by the National Council on Aging, which collects statistics about financial abuse of elders, shows that older people are at a tragically high risk of being taken advantage of by financial predators. Such predatory behavior costs the victims of financial abuse a staggering $36.5 billion every year. Cases of elder abuse are estimated to be widely unreported, so it is crucial for family members and friends to be on the lookout for signs of abuse. 

What Are Signs That My Parent Is Being Financially Abused? 

Financial exploitation can come in the form of stealing valuables, illicitly using a nursing home resident’s credit cards, checks, or cash, or convincing an older person that someone they love is in dire need of assistance. Because it can be difficult to catch financial abuse, it may go on for years before the perpetrator is caught. 

Signs that your elderly loved one may be suffering from financial abuse include:

• Checks, charges, or bank statements that go to someone unfamiliar or unusual

• Forged signatures on checks or other legal documents

• Missing property, especially jewelry and other valuables 

• Large or unusual cash withdrawals or transfers

• Changes or attempted changes to your loved one’s will or power of attorney

• A sudden new “best friend” who claims to be acting in your loved one’s best interests

• Unpaid bills that were previously paid, including utility cutoffs 

• Confusion regarding overspending or the inability to explain certain suspicious transactions

Meet with a Cook County Senior Financial Abuse Attorney

At Schwartz Injury Law, we take the health and wellness of your loved ones in nursing homes very seriously. If you suspect someone is taking financial advantage of your parent or anyone else you care for, contact a Chicago, IL nursing home attorney right away. Understanding Illinois law, as well as knowing your options if the law is being broken, is essential to protecting the people you care about most. Call our firm today at 312-535-4625 to schedule a free and confidential consultation. 

Sources:

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs3.asp?ActID=1452&ChapterID=31 

https://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/fulltext.asp?DocName=072000050K17-56 

https://www.ncoa.org/article/get-the-facts-on-elder-abuse