Tom Fields' father lay dying in a hospital bed in Florida on a morphine drip for cancer.Fields, a Mentor resident, believes that during his final hours his father was the victim of financial elder abuse by people close to him.He said his father's wishes about his property were altered as a new will was written."People took advantage of my father and got him to sign a document," Fields said."There was no protection against this. A protocol could have stopped that."Fields is now an independent advocate fighting to get laws passed to protect families in similar situations."People took advantage of my father and got him to sign a document," Fields said.
"There was no protection against this. A protocol could have stopped that."
Fields is now an independent advocate fighting to get laws passed to protect families in similar situations.
"Nothing here in Ohio holds abusers accountable," he said. "My main focus is to keep people out of the court system, which is basically taking advantage of people who are victims."
Fields' first step was writing the Ohio Department of Aging to ask it to create task forces looking at elder abuse issues and how to prevent them.
He also proposed a step-by-step list of protocols for hospitals to follow to prevent financial abuse.
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Mentor Man Fighting for Elder Rights
Tom Fields must be applauded for his advocacy work. He is very bright and determined. The video was very easy to follow.
ReplyDeleteThe protocal makes sense. I believe it would help determine if someone really wants to make those last minute changs or if he or she is coerced.
ReplyDeleteIt happned in my family too. My uncle had an attorney show up with a witness, but it didn't happen becaase my mother was at her mother's side and the attorney was embarrassed and turned and walked out the door.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Mr. Fields.
ReplyDeleteThank you for focusing on keeping people out of the court system. No one wins when it goes to court.
ReplyDeleteI hope the protocal spreads nationwide.
ReplyDeleteTom Fields continues to be a voice shouting out loud for those who cannot speak for themselves.
ReplyDeleteTaking advantage of the vulnerable people of our society is unforgiveable; taking advantage of persons on their deathbeds is the lowest of the lowest form of exploitation.
Hospital personnel are the first line of observers, in position to identify when the vultures are hovering. It takes a unified effort to protect society from opportunists.