How to Guard Against Financial Abuse of the Elderly
Whether you are care taking for an elderly loved one or concerned about the possibility of being targeted for elder abuse yourself, it is important to realize the signs and symptoms of someone attempting to take advantage of the elderly.
Some of the following behaviors are indications that someone has been involved in perpetrating financial abuse against an elderly person.
These include:
- Using the property or possessions of the elderly person without permission.
- Directly stealing money or property from the elderly person.
- Forging the elderly individual’s signatures on documents or checks.
- Forcing the elderly person to sign a legal document like a power of attorney deed or will, listing the perpetrator of the abuse as the one who is responsible for the elderly person and who will benefit when that elderly individual passes away.
- Perpetrating telemarketing scams in which the elderly person is contacted and deceived.
- Charging things against an elderly individual’s credit cards without the authorization of the card holder.
It is very important for every elderly person and family members who are helping to articulate a long term plan for those who could be exposed to financial abuse to know these challenges and to exercise tools such as a power of attorney to appoint a trust worthy agent to act on behalf of the elderly person.
Selecting the right power of attorney agent can have important implications for the loved one’s medical and financial decisions. Now is the time to speak with a dedicated Virginia lawyer about your power of attorney planning.
