Financial or material exploitation is defined as the illegal or improper use of a person’s funds, property, or assets. Example but not limited to: Forging a person’s signature or cashing a person’s check without authorization/ permission; misusing or stealing a person’s money or possessions; coercing or deceiving a person into signing any document (contract or will); and the improper use of guardianship, conservator or power of attorney. Believe it or not these things do happen to elderly people in the nursing home.
Exploitation is usually done to those that may be frail and vulnerable, which are mostly the elderly. It has been reported that elderly people have had exploitation done to them by family members and other caregivers each year.
The elderly may be unable to help themselves and may depend on others to meet their basic needs.
So, when a person goes into the nursing home, they want to be able to feel safe and not have to worry about any exploitation from anyone, family, friend or caregiver.
Anyone having reasonable cause to believe that a vulnerable adult is suffering from exploitation shall make a report to either the Department of Human Services, the office of the District Attorney in the county in which the suspected exploitation occurred or the local police department as soon as the person is aware of the situation.
The Ombudsman Program also helps the elderly feel safe when going into the nursing home by making visits to the nursing home and helping them know their rights. Others can too, by becoming an Ombudsman Volunteer with the Ombudsman Program.
To learn more about how to prevent Exploitation in the nursing home, what to do if you know exploitation is happening in a nursing home or becoming an Ombudsman Volunteer, contact Tiffany Wingfield 580-775-7478 or Gina Smith 580-775-7794. They can also be reached at SODA Area Agency on Aging at 580-920-1388 or Senior Info. Line 1-800211-2116 or write to them at P.O. Box 709 Durant, Ok. 74702. Ombudsman Supervisors are available to speak to your group or organization upon request.