What are the chances elders in Chico will fall victim to scams?
As adults age, they become more vulnerable to becoming victims of personal or financial abuse. Scam artists target the elderly because they believe they are easy victims. The FBI conducted a study on elder fraud, which resulted in finding the number of fraud victims in each state in 2020 and the amount in total losses they suffered. The results for California are shown below.
California had 12,534 elderly fraud victims in 2020.
Resulting in $ 152,644,032 total losses.
Obviously, there is plenty of room for improvement in California's elder fraud incidents. This is especially true when you consider that most elder fraud is not even reported. One way to help your elderly relative stay safe is to work with a Redding or Chico elder care attorney to set up guardianship or conservatorship. This allows a reliable adult, most likely a family member like you, to take responsibility for the senior's financial well-being and to act on behalf of an incapacitated senior.
Who are the people who commit crimes against the elders of Chico?
When you consider crimes against seniors, you probably picture strangers scamming or harming seniors that they don't know or care about. Sadly, this is rarely the case. The information below indicates just the opposite is true. If your loved one is being cared for by another family member, don't assume that everything is going just fine. Pay attention because, in reality, a family member is more likely to abuse a senior relative than anyone else.
Making sure your aging loved one has representation by an elder care attorney can protect them from all kinds of abuse. Social isolation is one of the main reasons that older people are more likely to be abused. When a potential abuser knows that the senior they're caring for has outside help, they may be less likely to harm or neglect their ward. And if they do choose to harm them anyway, your loved one has someone they know they can turn to--you or their attorney.
How can I help the senior in my life find an elder care attorney in Chico?
As you're browsing listings and you come across attorneys that sound promising, start by checking their credentials. You can look up their name or Bar number to make sure they are actively licensed to practice law in California and to see if they've been publicly disciplined in the state.
Once you've narrowed down your list, set up an initial consultation for you and your loved one. Summarize your loved one's needs in advance and the meeting will likely be free. During the meeting, find out how much experience each attorney has had with issues similar to your senior's, such as Power of Attorney, long-term care planning, and estate planning. Finally, evaluate their customer service. Are they polite and professional? Do they respond to communication in a timely manner? Does your loved one feel listened to and cared for? Finally, after meeting with each potential Chico elder law attorney, talk with your loved one and choose the one that seems to fit best with their needs.
For further information, check out our comprehensive guide to choosing an elder care lawyer.
Elder care attorneys in Chico
There are many legal issues that are specific to seniors, from issues of abuse and neglect to issues of wills, estate planning, and other legal matters. Helping your aging loved one find the right elder care attorney in Chico or Redding for them is one way to help protect them and care for them. Use our listings to start your search today.
