Crimes against the elderly
October 26, 2009
By Betty Rhodes
Recently, in a very public way, we’ve learned of the disrespectful and greedy actions of Brooke Astor’s son and only child, Anthony Marshall. As his mother progressed into Alzheimer’s dementia, he systematically stole millions of dollars from her estate.
He told her that they were broke and must sell a favorite painting for $10 million. He pocketed a $2 million “commission” for himself.Yet, with all of this, Anthony Marshall forced his mother to live like a pauper.
Mrs. Astor was 105 when she died in August 2007.
As seniors are living longer, our chances for one day needing the services of a caregiver are very real.
Usually, people hire caregivers to come into their homes and do the duties that they can no longer do for themselves. For the most part, caregivers are kind, efficient and helpful.
However, we are reading more and more of the criminal types who make a living serving as caregivers while stealing from the elderly. What’s to stop them? The patient often is bedridden, dependent on the caregiver for his or her every need, leaving the caregiver the run of the house and free to steal jewelry, money, whatever catches her fancy.
No state or federal laws require fingerprinting or background checks for caregivers.
Abridged
SOURCE: The Napa Valley Register
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