Senior Issues
Con Artist Exploits A Grandmother’s Love Of Family
by Nancy Peverini, commentary in The Sacramento Bee
Even though the plot was foiled, it destroyed my mother’s sense of independence. She felt guilty and embarrassed – a common reaction that allows these scams to continue because many of our elderly do not want others to know that they fell for a scam. … We need to ring the bell more so our parents will be protected. According to some estimates, seniors account for 30 percent of all financial fraud. Consumer groups have tips to avoid getting ripped off. …Definitely don’t provide your credit card information. Read More ›
Why You Shouldn’t Get a Reverse Mortgage Just Because Fred Thompson Tells You to
by Ashlee Kieler, Consumerist
Reverse mortgages have been found to leave families with debts they can never repay, four-in-five payday loans are made to consumers already caught in the debt trap, and on average 54% of students who attend a for-profit college leave without a degree — with one-in-five of those students defaulting on their loans. … Consumers Union, along with California Advocates for Nursing Home Reform provided comments to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau regarding consumers’ use of reverse mortgages. Read More ›
Gov. Brown Toughens Rules on Senior Residential Care Facilities
by Patrick McGreevey, Los Angeles Times
Gov. Jerry Brown on Sunday approved sweeping new rules for residential care facilities aimed at protecting senior citizens from substandard conditions. The governor approved nine bills that his office said in a statement are meant to “protect the health and safety of seniors residing in assisted living facilities across the state.” Read More ›
Some Assisted-Care Safeguards For Seniors Advance
An ambitious drive to protect seniors living in residential care facilities for the elderly continues to progress through the committee process as the Legislature works toward its summer recess, scheduled to begin July 4. The action is in Sacramento, but the impetus comes from families around the state. Read More ›
SB 1256: Brown Signs Curb On Medical Credit Scams
Health care patients would no longer be subject to exorbitant third-party credit charges arranged without their full knowledge and informed consent under a Consumer Federation of California-sponsored bill that passed a unanimous state Senate floor vote on Thursday, May 15, 2014. Read More ›
Pitfalls of Reverse Mortgages May Pass to Borrower’s Heirs
by Jessica Silver-Greenberg, New York Times
Some lenders are moving to foreclose just weeks after the borrower dies, many families say. The complaints are echoed by borrowers across the country, according to a review of federal and state court lawsuits against reverse mortgage lenders. Read More ›
Five Signs of Financial Elder Abuse You Can Spot Now
by John Wasik, Forbes
Some of the most insidious swindles involve exploitation of older Americans. Fortunately, there are some clear warning signs of chicanery. Here’s what you need to look for. Read More ›
Assisted Living Giant Is Focus of Federal Probe
by A.C. Thompson, ProPublica
Investigators for the last year have been examining the operations of Emeritus Senior Living, the nation’s largest assisted living company. Read More ›
Fremont legislator seeks to bolster rights of care home residents
by Katie Nelson, Contra Costa Times
The bill would guarantee residents the right to be free from physical and chemical restraints and the possible inappropriate use of psychoactive drugs. The bill would also prohibit a licensee or employee of a facility from serving as an agent for a resident under a power of attorney. Read More ›
Financial scammers increasingly target elderly Americans
by E.S. Browning, Wall Street Journal
The fleecing of older Americans is becoming an epidemic. People 60 years and older made up 26% of all fraud complaints tracked by the Federal Trade Commission in 2012, the highest of any age group. In 2008, the level was just 10%, the lowest of any adult age group. Read More ›
Assisted living fines often go uncollected
by Jeff McDonald and Matt Clark, San Diego Union Tribune
The majority of fines either don’t get paid or are satisfied weeks, months or even years after they are billed. One factor at play: There’s no penalty for late payment. Read More ›
What to do when managing someone else’s money
by Herb Weisbaum, CNBC.com
Things can change as we get older. Someone who could easily manage their finances may require help from a trusted friend or family member. The CFPB just released guide booklets to help people deal with a situation that can feel overwhelming. Read More ›
Keeping Seniors Safe, additional elderly protection bills signed into law
CFC and Legal Assistance to the Elderly, Inc., co-sponsored AB 849, authorizing assistance programs serving victims of elder and dependent adult abuse to help them apply to the Safe at Home address confidentiality program. Read More ›