Try: #the cr may be writing checks to the caregiver so the caregiver can do errands or pay bills in cash on the cr’s behalf however for both their sakes it is important that they keep proof of what is being done with the checks each month set an envelope aside and keep every receipt for every purchase made on the cr’s behalf when the cr writes a check he or she should note on the ‘memo’ line what the check is being used for #a concerned family member who fears a cr may be exploited can speak to the cr and the caregiver and strongly recommend they implement the accountability system outlined above #if the cr seems unable to handle finances alone or if the family member still suspects financial exploitation response options include reporting suspected financial abuse to an elder abuse hotline firing the worker if the family member is the employer or contacting the employer to make a complaint reporting suspected abuse of an elder to an elder abuse hotline is always an option and should trigger an inquiry #the family member may also talk to the cr about going to the bank and setting up the cr’s account so that all his or her checks require two signatures to be valid this may help protect the cr from theft and fraud the family member can visit the cr on a scheduled basis to co-sign monthly bill payments and on an as-needed basis throughout the month #signs that a cr may be financially exploited include numerous checks written to a caregiver without explanation multiple subscriptions to the same magazines lack of funds to pay basic household bills and expenses because of loans being made to other people late notices or late fees on bills normally paid on time disconnection of utilities automatic withdrawals from the cr’s bank account that the cr doesn’t understand overdrafts and reports from the cr that he or she is letting others borrow his or her credit card to make a purchase that the borrower will pay back often an exploited cr is left with hundreds or thousands of dollars of debt that are never paid back

Materials: Communication with cr and caregiver twelve envelopes doctor checks requiring two signatures

Categories: Emotional Psychological, Financial, Mobility, Mobile, Needs Some Assistance, Needs Much Assistance, Independence, No Supervision, Some Supervision, Cognitive Awareness, Fully Aware, Somewhat Aware, Long-Term Memory, Good L T Memory, So-So L T Memory, Poor L T Memory, Short-Term Memory, Good S T Memory, So-So S T Memory, Poor S T Memory

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*This information is listed as a Tip and is not explicitly medically licensed