Know Your Rigths
Q.My 80 year old neighbour, who lives alone, recently told me that his carer had asked for a loan of €10,000 as she needs a new car to do her job. My neighbour seemed quite bothered by this but likes his carer and doesn’t want to go into a nursing home which she suggested he may have to do if she was unable to look after him. I am concerned about this: can I report this to someone?
There are a number of signs to watch out for such as the caregiver isolating the older person, disclosing inappropriate personal information (especially problems with money and health which may elicit sympathy), writing cheques and helping with financial matters, reviewing bank statements and initiating appointments with solicitors or financial professionals.
The above scenario also contains an element of psychological abuse that can also be extremely debilitating to older people. It is used to coerce the individual into behaving the way required by the abuser and the threat of being put in a nursing home against one’s will is one of the most common forms of psychological abuse.
