Financial Exploitation of Nursing Home Residents

 Posted on January 20, 2020 in Nursing Home Abuse

When most think of nursing home neglect and abuse, they think of a resident who is being mistreated physically or emotionally. However, these are not the only types of abuse to which nursing home residents are vulnerable. Financial abuse or exploitation of individuals staying in a nursing home is sadly common. Nursing home residents, especially those who have cognitive issues caused by age or illness, can be easily taken advantage of by ill-meaning nursing home staff. If your loved one has suffered from financial exploitation in a nursing home facility, contact a nursing home abuse lawyer to learn about your legal options.

How Common is Financial Exploitation Among Elderly and Disabled Individuals?

Unfortunately, elderly people and those with mental and physical disabilities are often targets for financial exploitation. Anyone involved in the victim’s life may be a perpetrator of financial abuse including family members, caretakers, and even doctors and nurses. Elder financial abuse is more common than many people realize. According to a report from the National Adult Protective Services Association, one in 20 elderly adults have experienced some type of financial exploitation in the previous year. Adults who need help with daily living tasks like eating and bathing and those who have cognitive impairments are the most likely to be financially manipulated.

Examples of Financial Abuse in Nursing Homes

Even nursing home staff such as nurses and nurses’ aids can be perpetrators of financial abuse against vulnerable residents. A nursing home that is experiencing financial distress may overbill residents or bill them for services that the resident did not actually receive. Nursing home staff may deceive residents for personal gain by

• Stealing the resident’s money or possessions
• Forging the resident’s signature on personal checks 
• Tricking the resident into handing over cash or property
• Sealing the resident’s identity
• Tricking the resident into participating in scams or pyramid schemes

If a nursing home resident is being taken advantage of financially, it is very possible that the resident is being mistreated in other ways as well. Nursing home residents are protected from abuse and neglect by the Illinois Nursing Home Care Act as well as other state and federal legislation. When a nursing home does not fulfill its duty of care to residents, the residents or surviving loved ones may be eligible for compensation.

Contact a Cook County Nursing Home Injury Attorney

Nursing home residents should never be taken advantage of—financially or otherwise. If suspect that your loved one has been the victim of financial exploitation or another form of nursing home abuse or neglect, contact Schwartz Injury Law for help. Call our office at 312-535-4625 to schedule a free consultation with an experienced Chicago elder abuse lawyer.

Sources:

http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=1225

napsa-now.org/get-informed/exploitation-resources/