Articles
WATCHING FOR SIGNS OF ELDER ABUSE
[2010-03-25]:
All too frequently, I receive reports of Elder Abuse. Elder abuse comes in many forms: physical abuse; sexual abuse; emotional or psychological abuse; neglect; abandonment; financial or material exploitation; and self-neglect. The reports I deal with usually have to do with financial or material exploitation, usually coupled with emotional or psychological abuse.
MORE POOR PLANNING
[2010-02-12]:
Helen was in her late 60's when a stroke landed her in a nursing home. She was left with no ability to do anything for herself. She could not walk, talk, or understand anything.
Her daughter had signature power on her checking and savings account. She also had a debit card. The daughter made sure that as soon as Helen’s retirement money went into her account, it was withdrawn. Nobody had any idea where the money was going. One place the money was not going was to the nursing home. The management could not get any cooperation from any family member for payment.
MAXIMIZE FAMILY COOPERATION WHEN PLANNING OR SETTLING AN ESTATE
[2010-02-12]:
You find some odd things in families. People refuse to talk to other people and cannot even remember why. Some children think that they are entitled to everything when their father dies because he “worked for it all” and all their mother did was stay home and raise children. Divorced parents give too much to their children out of guilt and ignore other responsibilities they have.
PROBLEMS FOR THE AGING
[2010-02-12]:
Rise in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD. Lev 19:32 NIV
For the year ending June 30, 2003, a total of 11,104 reports of abuse, neglect, and exploitation were received by Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. 10,346 of the reports were concerned people age 60 and over. This figure represented only the 60% of the Ohio counties that reported.
The breakdown is interesting. 1,187 of the 10,346 reports on elders 60 and over were abuse reports. 2,223 were reports of neglect by others. 1,257 reports involved exploitations. Sadly, 5,679 reports involved self-neglect!
SCAMMED
[2010-02-12]:
Last week, some clients come into the office to ask for help. They had been telephoned about two and a half years ago by a person selling living trusts. After agreeing to see the salesman and listening to a very convincing sales pitch, they agreed to purchase. When they were told how much it was going to cost, they said they could not afford it.
The salesman persisted and asked them to charge it on their credit card. The clients stated that their credit card balances were too high already. he salesman said that it was not a problem. He had another program for them. It was a con.
SCAM WARNING!
[2010-02-12]:
Betty is a wonderful person. She is in her mid-eighties but looks much younger. In her youth, she earned two masters degrees. Betty and her husband operated a successful business during their working years. Travel was their passion. They visited many of the countries of the world.
Similarly, Pete is a highly educated man in his eighties. He shares a lot of Betty’s attributes: successful in business, financially savvy, and well traveled.
What do they have in common? They are both extremely well educated, financially comfortable but careful with their money, and raised loving families. Neither were gamblers. But both are scam victims!
ANOTHER UGLY STORY
[2010-02-12]:
Actual Case
Thelma was an 80 year old widow who had no children. Her closest relatives lived a state away and Thelma was dependant on her neighbors of forty years for help.
Recently, the neighbor lady who helped Thelma with meals, grocery shopping and a variety of other things, found Thelma sitting in her usual spot on the couch motionless. The neighbor called 911. A squad arrived, pronounced that Thelma had expired and called the local funeral home to pick her up.
NEVER TOO YOUNG TO PLAN
[2010-02-12]:
Actual Case
I have had telephone calls this week from two distraught fathers. Both had sons involved in accidents. One son was in a one-car alcohol-related automobile accident that has left him incapacitated, perhaps permanently. The second son was involved in a work-related accident.
The first son is a divorced business owner in his late 30s. He has two minor children. The second son is 19, not married, and also has two children. The 19 year old is in the gravest condition. He was crushed and did not breathe for between six and ten minutes. Both are still unconscious.