A Form of Elder Abuse Difficult to Stop: When They Don’t Want Your Help

Recently,mediator Carolyn Rosenblatt, wrote a tragic story about an elderly man who wasbeing taken advantage of by two women. Arthur is 78 and was living alone afterhis wife died a few years earlier. Feeling lonely, Arthur began hiringprostitutes and other women to keep him company. However, these women saw thatArthur’s health was on the decline and saw an opportunity to exploit Arthur forhis money. Arthur’s two sons began to notice this troubling situation. Worriedthat the women were going to try to con all of Arthur’s money away from him,Greg, one of his sons, secured a durable power of attorney, which permittedGreg to track and manage Arthur’s spending. The power of attorney alsotransferred the title of Arthur’s home to Greg.

 Shortlyafter the durable power of attorney was signed, the situation took a turn forthe worse. Arthur moved in two women into the family home and began taking outlarge withdrawals from his accounts. Greg reported the situation to AdultProtective Services who then interviewed Arthur. The problem is that Arthur hasearly stages of dementia which means he can be easily manipulated. Arthur toldprotective services that the two women were his friends. Nothing came out ofthe complaint and Arthur continued to support them. Arthur then hired anattorney and revoked the durable power of attorney.

Now,the two sons are faced with a dilemma they can either get conservatorship overtheir father, or let him do what he wants. The sad reality is Arthur believesthat the people taking advantage of him are his friends. Could this have beenprevented? Perhaps if the boys had hired Arthur some help earlier on he wouldnot have felt as lonely. Another alternative would have been to get Arthur tovoluntarily his conservator over his finances only when Arthur did not resist Greg.

See Carolyn Rosenblatt Look Who’s Moving In With Your Aging Parent, Forbes, Sep. 30, 2013.

Special thanks to Brian Cohan (Attorney at Law, Law Offices of Brian J. Cohan, P.C.) for bringing this article to my attention.