A Hartford elder law attorney can provide help to seniors and to family members of those who are getting older. As seniors age, they often become the target of scammers who attempt to take advantage of them financially. 
Seniors could be victimized by strangers who perpetrate unlawful schemes and target vulnerable elderly people. Older Connecticut residents could also find themselves victimized by financially abusive caregivers. Family caretakers, home health aides, and nursing home staff members could all perpetrate financial abuse.
It is important to understand the risks of financial abuse of elderly Connecticut residents, and to take appropriate steps to reduce the likelihood of losses occurring because of abuse. Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates can provide assistance in helping to safeguard the assets of elderly seniors so wealth that people have worked a whole lifetime for can provide the foundation for a strong legacy. Give us a call today to find out more about the assistance a Hartford elder law attorney at our firm can offer.
Protecting the Elderly From Financial Abuse
One of the first and most important ways to protect seniors from elder financial abuse is to recognize the signs of abuse occurring and to understand the types of financial abuse and exploitation.
Abuse by strangers often takes the form of scams designed to convince seniors to give up their financial information or to send money. For example, scammers may call and pretend to be a grandchild in trouble asking for money.
Scammers can sometimes get names of family members from social media to make the call realistic. Another common scam involves thieves calling and pretending to be from the IRS and insisting the senior provide financial information or wire money right away to avoid penalties. By remaining informed of the most common scams, seniors can avoid loss due to this type of unlawful behavior.
Abuse by caretakers can be more difficult to identify and handle. Family members of seniors should be watchful for signs that a senior may be being abused by a healthcare aide or nursing home staff. If a senior’s possessions start to disappear, or if a senior changes his or her will at the prompting of a caretaker, these are big red flags. An older person who begins giving away money or property to a caretaker may also be in a situation where he or she is being unduly influenced by that caretaker.
When there is reason to believe that a senior may be in a situation where he or she cannot manage money any more or is being taken advantage of by a caretaker, there are actions that family members can take. For example, family members could get guardianship or conservatorship over a senior who is no longer mentally fit to manage funds. Seniors who want to plan ahead in case they become incapable of managing their own financial affairs could also create a power of attorney to name a loved one as an agent who is authorized to act on their behalf.
Reporting abuse is also important, including making reports of financial exploitation. There are many resources in Connecticut which aim to protect vulnerable seniors from different kinds of abusive behavior and which aim to protect seniors from becoming victims of financial exploitation.
Health and Human Services in Connecticut provides information on how to report abuse or exploitation and provides information on services and supports that exist within the state when there is reason to suspect that a senior is being victimized. An experienced attorney can also provide assistance in taking appropriate action when there is reason to believe that any type of financial abuse or other misconduct is occurring and putting a senior at risk.
Getting Help from a Hartford Elder Law Attorney
A Hartford elder law attorney at Nirenstein, Horowitz & Associates can assist seniors and their families in taking steps to safeguard assets and to reduce the risk of financial abuse. We can also provide guidance in cases where suspected abuse has occurred.
To find out more about the ways in which our compassionate and knowledgeable legal team can help you and your loved ones with financial issues that arise during the aging process, join us for a free seminar. You can also give us a call at 860-548-1000 or contact us online at any time.
Mr. Nirenstein is licensed to practice before the courts of the State of Connecticut and the United States District Court. He is a member of the Connecticut and Hartford County Bar Associations, and the Estate and Probate, Elder Law, Business Law and Real Estate Sections of the Connecticut Bar Association.
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