What are the chances elders in Chattanooga will fall victim to scams?
As the table below indicates, nearly 2,000 elderly Tennessee residents were victims of fraud in 2020, with almost $11 million in losses. That’s a significant portion of the just over 1 million Tennessee senior citizens. If you’re the caregiver for an elderly adult, it’s important to keep an eye on their finances to some degree to make sure they do not fall victim to fraud.
Tennessee Had 1,881 elderly fraud victims in 2020.
Resulting in 10,846,194 total losses.
Often, seniors do not report it when they experience fraud because they are embarrassed. That’s why keeping on top of their finances and noticing if their financial behavior changes significantly is so important. If you suspect your elder relative is a victim of fraud of some kind, it’s a good idea to contact a Chattanooga elder law attorney who can help them recover their losses, or at least help prevent them from being further victimized in this way.
Who are the people who commit crimes against the elders of Chattanooga?
Sadly, only 7% of elder abusers are strangers. This means that 93% of elder abusers are people they know and most likely trust, as the table below indicates. If you have an elderly relative that you care for, keep your eye out for signs of abuse of all kinds. Also, listen to your elderly loved one for clues to the abuse they may be experiencing. Some abusers are good at covering their tracks, but if someone like you is paying close attention, it’s less likely that they will get away with harming your aging loved one.
If you suspect someone in your senior’s life is harming them, whether physically, financially, or psychologically, contact a Chattanooga elder care attorney to see what your options are. These lawyers specialize in Chattanooga elder law and can help your aging loved one get out of the harmful situation and potentially set in motion legal action against the abuser.
Why should I help the senior in my life find an elder care attorney in Chattanooga?
Elder care attorneys can do more than help with situations involving abuse. For example, they can help your elderly loved one draw up a will or make a living will so that their end-of-life wishes will be respected and acted upon when the time comes. Elder care attorneys can also help if the time comes when your aging loved one needs to assign power of attorney to someone they completely trust. This person may also become a conservator who can help your senior make financial and medical decisions.
Being protected by having an elder care attorney in your aging loved one’s corner can offer peace of mind to them and to you. They are a senior’s first line of defense against all kinds of abuse, whether financial, psychological, or physical. They also offer your senior the peace of mind that comes with knowing they won’t be a burden to their loved ones when they die because all of their estate planning will have been completed. For further information, check out our comprehensive guide to finding an elder law attorney.
Elder care attorneys in Chattanooga
It’s a great honor to be chosen as the person in charge of caring for an elderly loved one, and you are sure to take that responsibility seriously. Finding appropriate legal help from an elder care attorney in Chattanooga is one way you can help care for your aging loved one. Allow Seasons to help you find the right attorney for the elderly adult in your life.