Financial exploitation is a widely spread form of nursing home abuse. It is a crime but it is not always reported. If you or a loved one is residing in a nursing home, make sure you fully understand nursing home residents’ financial rights and watch for warning signs such as caregivers taking money for gifts, discharge notices due to non-payment, changes in financial practices, unknown charges to credit cards or statements from unknown credit cards. If you suspect you or a loved one has been a victim of a financial abuse share your concern with the nursing home administrators and contact your Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program, your state licensing and certification agency, Adult Protective Services (APS) and your local law enforcement agency.
For additional information regarding elder abuse, neglect or exploitation visit the National Center
on Elder Abuse (NCEA) website at www.ncea.aoa.gov or call 1-855-500-3537