Posted on 08/30/2006 2:20:52 PM PDT by shrinkermd
Note to retirees: Beware the family.
Financial swindles are one of the fastest-growing forms of elder abuse. By some estimates, as many as five million senior citizens are victimized each year, says Sara Aravanis, director of the nonprofit National Center on Elder Abuse, which provides information to federal and state policy makers. Because of the problem's spread, "many states have laws authorizing financial institutions to report suspicions of elderly abuse," says Bruce Jay Baker, general counsel for the Illinois Bankers Association. Earlier this summer, the Securities and Exchange Commission hosted a Seniors Summit to highlight the issue, with SEC Chairman Christopher Cox noting that protecting seniors' pocketbooks "is one of the most important issues of our time."
Yet it's not dodgy financial experts or crooked caregivers who are the biggest threat. It's family. Children, siblings, grandchildren, nieces and nephews, and even spouses are the people most likely to rob the elderly, according to elder-law advocates and attorneys. The data that exist -- albeit in a spotty manner -- suggest that financial crimes rank as the third-most prevalent abuse of the elderly.
(Excerpt) Read more at online.wsj.com ...
That's not a "proper" strategy, it's a dishonest and unethical strategy.
Nothing new here - in the 18th century arsenic trioxide was called "inheritance powder"
Terri showed but one spot to most people. Who is watching the broader chicken coop?
Wow. My 86 year old mother has lived with me for eight years (She requires round the clock care.). My three sisters live a considerable distance away, yet visit when they can. Each of them have expressed the same sentiments as your uncles. They think I deserve everything. Who am I to argue? ;-)
How sad.
However we have to be careful, there are government bureacrats who would welcome mandatory senior homes where they could "take care" of senior citizens and their money.
Even decide how old they should allowed to be before they are "too old."
Just saying we need to be cautious.
I'm not surprised. I am totally amazed by what happens to people when a chunk of money is involved. I think they should do a reality show on it. Eating worms is nothing to what I have heard. These people who you would think would be civil to their relatives, turn into near animals.
This is a proper strategy because the govt. rules are wrong.
It is the govt. that is the problem.
This is a very old story in Florida. It was an old story 35 years ago when I was in law school. Some things are eternal. This, sadly, is one of them.
Glad I walked away as I'd rather not be associated with them in any way.
I see this especially happening now that the standard of living has risen, along with the culture of consumerism and the pressure to appear successful. People will stop at nothing to maintain their lifestyles.
Makes perfect sense that the first victims of Moral Relativism would be close relatives.
Nobody will screw you out of money better than family.
Of course the elder-law advocates and attorneys claim that family are the biggest threat.
Why would they rat out one of their own? They dont.
But the truth is guardians and their attorneys often abuse, neglect and exploit guardianship wards but too many times they are never held accountable. Guardians routinely force their victims into nursing homes so they can sell off real estate and personal belongings, converting to cash so they can over bill, double bill, downright fraudulently bill until all of the hard earned money and assets of the ward is in the guardians and attorneys pockets. Many victims are left penniless with broken spirits and failing health. Some victims do not survive as they are denied medical treatment and necessary medications. This is happening every day in our country. And it is a crying shame. The worst of it all, is a guardianship ward is stripped of all rights, including the right to complain about the abuse.
Any abuse of an elderly or vulnerable person is unacceptable. And this should include guardianship abuse. Please visit the National Association to Stop Guardian Abuse at www.stopguardianabuse.org for more information about the epidemic practice of guardianship abuse.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.