Jean Higginbotham, social work supervisor for Amherst County Department of Social Services, said that only a few cases of exploitation have come up. People think they can get away with misusing the elderly person's money, said Higginbotham, who cited a case in which a few hundred dollars was taken from a checking account. Those cases get referred to law enforcement. Most people want to stay safely in their homes as long as possible. We work very hard trying to work out services along with having friends and relatives pitch in, so they can remain in their own homes as long as possible.
Intimidation also occurs.
Jones cited a recent incident in which an elderly woman had been giving a family member money, and decided not to any more. The next time he asked her, she said no. Sometimes elderly people are so afraid of going into a nursing home, they allow situations to continue that harm them. But often the older person has a close relationship with the family member given control of the finances. If the adult wants him to have it, that's their business.