Hired caregiver taking advantage of elderly memory loss. What do I do?
Family member that has had nothing to do with mother for 25 years shows up and hires a yard man to care for mom.. she also takes over the upkeep of house and moms financials.
I have been there for my mom my whole life.. For 10 years she had lung disease I was the only family member who cared, I went to all her doctors. I knew the doctors. There was no one else to help me with her.I lost my jobs and savings.
Sister and aunt are manipulating her to push me out of her live. I dont live there with mom.
The man they hired has been in prison, he is taking advantage of her memory he took her car, and forged her name. He tells her he was there when he wasn't and gets paid. Now my mom wont talk to me and yells at me when I ask any questions. My sister and aunt tell mom how much they love him and ignore me when I ask questions about whats going on.
BUT
What are the penalties if you do not report? Are you liable for anything if you stay silent?
FYI:
Florida law requires the reporting of known or suspected abuse, neglect, exploitation, or self-neglect of vulnerable adults (elderly or disabled). the Florida Abuse ...
Exploitation means that a person in a position of trust knowingly, by deception and intimidation, obtains and uses or tries to obtain and use a vulnerable person?s funds, assets, or property. This includes failure to use the vulnerable person?s income and assets
Florida Law requires that any person who knows, or has reasonable cause to suspect, that a vulnerable adult has been or is being abused, neglected, or exploited shall immediately report such knowledge or suspicion to the Florida Abuse Hotline on the toll-free telephone number, 1-800-96-ABUSE (1-800-962-2873). The TDD (Telephone Device for the Deaf) number for reporting adult abuse is 1-800-955-8770.
Vulnerable adults are persons eighteen and over (including senior adults sixty and over) who, because of their age or disability, may be unable to adequately provide for their own care or protection. The Florida Abuse Hotline accepts calls 24 hours per day, seven days a week. The Abuse Hotline counselor is required to let the person calling know whether the information provided has been accepted as a report for investigation.
When you call the Abuse Hotline to make a report, have this information ready:
Victim?s name, address or location, approximate age, race, and sex.
A brief description of the adult victim?s disability or infirmity.
Signs or indications of harm or injury, including a physical description if possible.
Name, address, and telephone number of any possibly responsible person/ perpetrator.
Relationship of the possibly responsible person/perpetrator to the victim, if possible. If the relationship is unknown, a report may still meet requirements for investigation.
As the reporter, your name, address, and telephone number. This information is never given out. The reporter may choose to remain anonymous.
The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is responsible for providing services to detect and correct abuse, neglect, and exploitation of adults. This must be done so as to place the fewest possibor self-neglect of vulnerable adults (elderly or disabled). the Florida Abuse ...
Exploitation means that a person in a position of trust knowingly, by deception and intimidation, obtains and uses or tries to obtain and use a vulnerable person?s funds, assets, or property. This includes failure to use the vulnerable person?s income and assets
What you did is exactly the right thing to do. Before a person takes on the responsibility of being a caretaker be sure the POA and Health advocate is in your name. If siblings object let them become the caretaker. The worst situation is to have some uninvolved relative be on those documents.