TN caregiver accused of stealing $100K from elderly client by driving to bank

A caregiver in Tennessee has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses after allegedly exploiting her elderly client. According to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Kathey Nance, 67, stole over $116,000 from the victim over a year in Montgomery County. Between March 2021 and February 2022, Nance would accompany the client to the bank and help her withdraw large sums of money before taking the cash for herself. She then allegedly sent the money to another account through a Bitcoin ATM. Despite being told to stop by the victim’s daughter, Nance continued taking the elderly woman to the bank for withdrawals.

In addition to theft, Nance is also accused of creating an account in the victim’s name and using personal information of the victim’s daughter without permission. A grand jury indicted Nance on April 4 on one count of caregiver neglect of an elderly adult and one count of identity theft – obtain, possess, buy or use a personal ID of another person. On Tuesday, Nance was arrested and booked into the Montgomery County Jail on a $25,000 bond.

This incident is not an isolated case of elder abuse by caregivers. In Florida, two health care workers were recently arrested and charged with video voyeurism, abuse, and neglect of an elderly or disabled adult after they allegedly verbally abused and taunted a woman with dementia during a live-stream. Fortunately, the victim in that incident was safe.

Elder abuse is a growing concern in the United States. According to the National Council on Aging, approximately 1 in 10 Americans aged 60 or older have experienced some form of elder abuse. Elder abuse can take many forms, including physical abuse, emotional abuse, sexual abuse, financial exploitation, neglect, and abandonment.

Financial exploitation is one of the most common forms of elder abuse. Caregivers may take advantage of their clients’ vulnerability and trust to steal money or other assets. They may also coerce or manipulate their clients into giving them money or changing their wills. In some cases, caregivers may use technology to steal money or personal information, as in the case of Kathey Nance.

To prevent elder abuse, it is important to recognize the signs and report any suspected abuse. Signs of elder abuse may include unexplained injuries, sudden changes in behavior or mood, withdrawal from activities or social interactions, and unexplained financial transactions. If you suspect that someone you know is being abused, it is important to report it to the appropriate authorities.

In addition to reporting suspected abuse, there are steps that can be taken to prevent elder abuse from occurring in the first place. One of the most important steps is to choose a caregiver carefully. It is important to conduct background checks and verify references before hiring a caregiver. It is also important to establish clear expectations and boundaries with the caregiver and to monitor their behavior closely.

Another important step is to stay connected with elderly loved ones and to be aware of any changes in their behavior or circumstances. Regular visits or phone calls can help to identify potential problems early on.

Finally, it is important to educate yourself and others about elder abuse. By raising awareness and promoting prevention, we can help to protect our elderly loved ones from harm.

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TN caregiver accused of stealing $100K from elderly client by driving to bank