Caregivers can be hired to help care for the elderly, but authorities say some help themselves to their clients' life savings instead. Some of these caregivers commit the ultimate betrayal and some pay for their crimes with prison time."My aunt developed Alzheimer's, I needed extra help at home," said Eleanor Flanagan of her aunt Frances Lindsey.
Lindsey's family turned to caregiver Felicia Harvey in 2006, when their then 87-year old aunt needed around the clock care.
"People are hard to find you feel like you can trust like that," said Flanagan.
Nearly a year after Harvey took the job, the elderly woman's family made a devastating discovery. Thousands of dollars were missing from Lindsey's account.
"We were stunned when I first found the evidence on the bank statements. I thought the bank made a mistake. It honestly never crossed my mind that Felicia would do that. I just did not want to believe it," recalled Flanagan.
Flanagan said Harvey admitted to the family and Gwinnett County authorities, that she stole over $17,000 dollars from Lindsey over a seven week period in 2007.
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Fox 5 Special: Elderly Abuse
Theft by caregivers certainly is growing, in part due to the economic situation we live in.
ReplyDeleteBut, theft by caregives pales compared to theft by fiduciaries.
Authorities say caregivers help themselves to their clients' life savings commit the ultimate betrayal and I know first hand the the authorities do the very same thing with no accountability and a shield of protection. No one is safe anymore from exploitation.
ReplyDeleteIt's important to warn people of predators who smile and feign concern. There are cons in every profession, including caregivers.
ReplyDeleteBut, Anon1 is right, no one is safe from exploitation.
Sometimes the exploiters are caregivers. Sometimes family. And sometimes, the exploiter is the system claiming to be protecting.