Elder Law

Elder Care Worker Steal Wedding Ring From Hospice Patient

By Levin & Perconti

Headline grabbing acts of elder abuse often come from egregious acts of negligence that causes seniors to suffer serious physical injury and death. These types of abuse occur far too frequently than many expect, and every effort should be made to ensure that future senior victims and their families are spared.

However, one form of nursing home abuse that often gets brushed under the rug is financial exploitation and theft. It is imperative that close scrutiny be given to all caregivers who work with or around senior financial information or valuables. The vulnerability of elder Americans in this regard is clear: thousands fall victims to exploitation and theft each year all across the country.

My News 4 recently reported on another case of elder financial abuse. A hospice care worker was recently charged with stealing valuable jewelry from an 89-year old resident. The victim wore wedding jewelry worth over $33,000 including a solitaire and band. The caregiver took both pieces of jewelry off the sick woman?s body. The worker then placed costume jewelry on the victim?s hand, assuming that she would not know the difference. The victim died on September 1st and later that day the worker pawned away the extremely valuable jewelry for a mere $500.

Full post as published by Illinois Nursing Home Abuse Blog on December 05, 2010 (boomark / email).