Nursing home abuse comes in many forms, and one of those is theft. While it’s not a physical form of abuse, it does take advantage of victims and take away their power.
Like with other forms of nursing home abuse, those who steal from patients are acting in a way that keeps them in control. They want to manipulate patients and get what they need with no regard for what the patient needs.
How do people steal from patients in nursing homes?
Thefts happen in a few ways. Sometimes, it’s older residents who become confused and offer money or assets to workers. It is generally thought to be unacceptable to accept gifts from residents, especially in the case that they are not of sound mind. Many nursing homes have restrictions on their staff members regarding accepting gifts from residents.
Others may steal from nursing-home residents while completing tasks for residents. For instance, if a resident asks a caretaker to purchase her a shirt while the caretaker is out, she might give the caretaker $40. If the caretaker buys something very cheap and does not return the remainder, that could be considered theft. The same would be true if the resident forgot about the request and the caretaker simply never fulfilled it.
Your loved one needs to be protected financially as they age. Stay close and make sure you know your loved one’s state of mental health at all times. If there is any question about where assets or funds are going, it’s important to talk to your loved one and begin investigating those who are closest to them.