Talk with your loved one separately from the person you suspect may be financially abusing them. It is important to find a way to speak privately, so your loved one can feel more comfortable being honest. Keep in mind that many people living in nursing homes have a roommate, and other people such as nurses or housekeeping and maintenance team members may also stop by.
Your loved one may not want to admit what is going on due to shame, fear of retaliation, or sympathy for the perpetrator. Also, older adults from certain groups, such as racial or ethnic minorities, immigrants, or LGBTQ individuals, may not feel comfortable reporting abuse because they have experienced discrimination and they do not trust that they will actually get help. However, with support from a trusted person, someone who at first refuses to talk about the financial abuse may be open to talking about it later.
When speaking with your loved one about suspected financial abuse, it can be helpful to ask open-ended questions. Pay attention to their emotions and behavior while you talk. You may want to take notes to keep a record of what they shared with you.
If your loved one cannot make or communicate their own decisions, the Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program may be able to help. The long-term care ombudsman’s job is to advocate for, and protect the rights of, people living in nursing homes and assisted living communities. Information about the Texas Long-Term Care Ombudsman Program can be found at https://apps.hhs.texas.gov/news_info/ombudsman/.