Bruises, cuts or burns are very clear signs that a loved one is suffering from nursing home abuse. You may pick up on more subtle signs that your elderly loved one is suffering from abuse if they become depressed, develop bedsores, fall behind on their hygiene or are left unattended. An elderly person in a healthcare facility can also suffer from financial abuse.
For example, if your elderly loved one has made recent changes to their will that would greatly benefit a healthcare worker, then it may be a sign that they are suffering from financial abuse. Here’s what you should know:
A caretaker may be trying to benefit from your elderly loved one
Your elderly loved one may have a will. Their will is their last wish that contains instructions to help distribute assets after they pass away. Assets are distributed to beneficiaries, which can be anyone that’s named in a will, such as a spouse, child or friend.
Your elderly loved one may have been convinced into signing a will that would give a sizable portion of their estate to a healthcare worker.
Tricking someone to sign a will that would greatly benefit another person is a form of undue influence. Undue influence is typically contested in court. However, finding a will created by a healthcare worker may lead you to believe that your elderly loved one is not getting the proper care they need. This healthcare worker may have intentionally harmed your elderly loved one hoping to benefit from their passing with this altered will.
It can be harder to protect elderly people from being taken advantage of financially. If you find a healthcare worker is taking advantage of the one you love, you may need to learn about your legal options.