Financial exploitation in assisted living facilities happens far more than anyone wants to admit. You place someone you love in a facility expecting they'll be safe and treated with dignity. Instead, some staff members, administrators, or outside parties see an opportunity to take advantage of residents who can't always track their own finances or speak up when something's wrong. The warning signs aren't always obvious, but if you know what to look for, you can catch them early and take action before the damage gets worse.
Common Forms Of Financial Exploitation
Financial abuse doesn't always look like stolen cash or forged checks. Sometimes it's subtle. It builds slowly over weeks or months until you suddenly realize something's very wrong. Here's what frequently happens:
- Staff members use a resident's credit cards or bank accounts without permission
- Someone forges signatures on checks or legal documents
- Caregivers pressure residents into changing their will or power of attorney
- Personal belongings disappear (jewelry, family heirlooms, valuables)
- The facility bills for services they never actually provided
- Staff members ask for "gifts" or loans and won't take no for an answer
These aren't minor violations. They're serious betrayals of trust that can wipe out a lifetime of savings and leave your loved one without the resources they need for care.
Warning Signs To Watch For
You need to pay attention to both the money and the behavior. Residents often won't speak up because they're embarrassed, confused, or genuinely afraid of what might happen if they complain. Check for unexplained withdrawals. If your loved one's account shows unusual spending patterns or they suddenly have less money than you'd expect, start asking questions. They might not be able to tell you where the money went. Missing items matter too. That watch they always wore? The ring from their wedding? If personal belongings start vanishing without explanation, don't brush it off.
Financial documents changing hands should make you suspicious. When someone who seemed perfectly happy with their estate plan suddenly wants to revise their will or add new beneficiaries (especially caregivers or facility staff), you need to dig deeper. Same thing if they've granted power of attorney to someone who just recently entered their life. Watch how they act around money. A resident who becomes anxious, withdrawn, or won't discuss their finances might be dealing with manipulation or threats. Some people who've been victimized become secretive. They get defensive when family asks simple questions about their accounts.
What Facilities Are Required to Do
Washington law puts clear responsibilities on assisted living facilities. They've got to protect residents from abuse, including financial exploitation. Staff members are mandatory reporters. If they suspect abuse, they're legally required to report it. Facilities should also have safeguards in place, like background checks and strict protocols for handling residents' money. When facilities fail to meet these obligations, they can be held accountable. Herschensohn Law Firm, PLLC represents families whose loved ones have suffered because a facility didn't do its job.
Taking Action Against Financial Abuse
You've discovered something's wrong. Now what? Document everything you can get your hands on. Bank statements, receipts, any emails or letters related to the suspicious activity. If items have gone missing and you've got records or photos of what your loved one owned, keep those too. Write down specific dates, times, and details of conversations that raised red flags.
Report it to Adult Protective Services. File a police report. Financial exploitation of vulnerable adults is a crime in Washington, and law enforcement takes these cases seriously. You should also talk to a Seattle Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer who's handled elder abuse cases before. An attorney can walk you through your options for recovering stolen funds and making sure the facility faces consequences for failing to protect your family member.
Understanding Your Legal Rights
Victims aren't without recourse under Washington law. You can file a civil lawsuit against whoever stole the money, the facility that employed them, or both. These cases pursue compensation for the stolen funds, emotional harm, and sometimes punitive damages when the conduct was particularly awful. A Seattle Nursing Home Abuse Lawyer can look at what happened to your loved one and explain which legal options make the most sense. Financial abuse strips away more than money. It destroys trust, robs people of their dignity, and makes them feel violated in the one place where they're supposed to feel safe. If someone you love has been exploited financially, you don't have to accept it. Contact us today.
