When families entrust a loved one to a nursing home, they expect the facility to provide safety, care, and respect. Unfortunately, not all forms of abuse are physical. One of the most insidious—and increasingly common—forms of elder mistreatment is financial exploitation.

Across Ohio and the United States, thousands of nursing home residents fall victim to theft, fraud, or manipulation every year. Unlike physical neglect, financial exploitation often happens quietly, under the guise of trust or care.

The consequences can be devastating, stripping seniors of their savings, security, and dignity. Understanding how financial exploitation occurs—and how to respond—is crucial for families seeking to protect their loved ones.

What Is Financial Exploitation?

Financial exploitation occurs when someone illegally or improperly uses an elderly person’s money, property, or assets for personal gain. In nursing homes, this abuse can take many forms, including:

• Theft of cash or valuables.
• Unauthorized use of credit cards or bank accounts.
• Forgery or manipulation of signatures.
• Coercion to change wills, trusts, or powers of attorney.
• Fraudulent billing or overcharging by the facility.
• Scams by staff, residents, or outsiders.

In some cases, exploitation comes from trusted caregivers who have easy access to residents’ rooms and personal information.

Why Seniors in Nursing Homes Are Vulnerable

Elderly nursing home residents are particularly vulnerable to financial abuse for several reasons:

• Cognitive impairments such as dementia or Alzheimer’s make them easy to manipulate.
• Social isolation limits contact with family or friends who could intervene.
• Dependence on caregivers creates opportunities for undue influence or coercion.
• Physical limitations prevent them from monitoring accounts or securing valuables.

When nursing homes fail to implement safeguards—like staff background checks or secure property storage—they enable exploitation to occur.

Common Perpetrators of Financial Exploitation

While some financial abuse is committed by strangers or scammers, in nursing homes the perpetrators are often those closest to the resident, including:

• Staff members who steal money, jewelry, or credit cards.
• Administrators or management involved in fraudulent billing practices.
• Other residents taking advantage of vulnerable peers.
• Family members misusing access to bank accounts or legal documents.

Regardless of who commits the act, the facility has a legal duty to protect residents and report suspected exploitation to authorities.

Ohio’s Legal Protections Against Financial Abuse

Ohio law treats financial exploitation of the elderly as a serious crime. Under Ohio Revised Code § 5101.63, any person who suspects elder abuse—including financial exploitation—is legally required to report it to Adult Protective Services (APS) or law enforcement.

In addition, under Ohio Revised Code § 2913.02, theft from an elderly person is a felony offense carrying enhanced penalties.

Nursing homes are also bound by federal law (42 CFR § 483.12) to protect residents from all forms of abuse, including financial exploitation, and to immediately report any suspected incidents to the Ohio Department of Health (ODH).

Facilities that fail to report can face civil penalties, loss of licensure, and potential lawsuits.

Warning Signs of Financial Exploitation

Families can often spot red flags if they stay attentive and engaged. Watch for:

• Missing personal items such as jewelry or cash.
• Unexplained bank withdrawals or credit card charges.
• Sudden changes in wills, deeds, or power of attorney.
• Unpaid bills or missing statements despite sufficient funds.
• Staff showing unusual interest in a resident’s finances.
• Fear, anxiety, or confusion when discussing money.
• Forged signatures or altered financial documents.

Even subtle changes may signal manipulation or theft.

How Nursing Homes Can Prevent Financial Exploitation

Facilities have a legal and ethical duty to protect residents’ financial security. Effective safeguards include:

• Conducting thorough background checks for all employees.
• Establishing secure storage areas for valuables and cash.
• Implementing strict access controls for financial records.
• Training staff to recognize and report suspicious behavior.
• Prohibiting employees from borrowing money or accepting gifts from residents.
• Investigating and documenting all allegations promptly.

Failure to maintain these protections is negligence—and may make the facility liable if financial abuse occurs.

What Families Should Do If They Suspect Financial Abuse

If you suspect your loved one is being financially exploited, take action immediately.

1. Document Everything

Keep records of suspicious transactions, missing items, or unusual behavior. Take photos and save statements.

2. Notify Facility Management

Report your concerns in writing to the facility administrator or director of nursing. Request an investigation and a written response.

3. Contact Authorities

In Ohio, report financial exploitation to:

• Adult Protective Services (APS): Call 1-855-OHIO-APS (1-855-644-6277)
• Ohio Department of Health (ODH): Call 1-800-342-0553
• Local police, if theft or fraud has occurred.

4. Reach Out to the Ohio Long-Term Care Ombudsman

The Ombudsman advocates for residents’ rights and can ensure the facility addresses the problem.

• Phone: 1-800-282-1206

5. Consult an Experienced Attorney

A nursing home abuse lawyer can help gather evidence, recover stolen funds, and hold the facility accountable for its negligence.

Proving Financial Exploitation Legally

To pursue a civil claim, your attorney must show that:

1. The facility or its staff had access or control over the resident’s assets.
2. They used that access for unauthorized personal gain.
3. The resident suffered financial harm as a result.

Evidence may include:

• Bank and billing records.
• Witness statements.
• Facility surveillance footage.
• Forged or altered documents.
• Testimony from forensic accountants or financial experts.

When proven, the facility and individuals involved can be ordered to pay restitution, damages, and punitive penalties.

Compensation for Victims and Families

Victims of financial exploitation—and their families—may be entitled to compensation for:

• Stolen or misused assets.
• Emotional distress and mental anguish.
• Costs of legal or financial recovery.
• Loss of inheritance or financial stability.
• Punitive damages for intentional or egregious misconduct.

Civil actions not only recover losses but also expose patterns of abuse, pushing facilities to improve oversight and integrity.

How Michael Hill Helps Families

Attorney Michael Hill, based in Cleveland, Ohio, has extensive experience representing victims of nursing home neglect and financial exploitation. He understands how easily vulnerable residents can be taken advantage of—and how hard it can be for families to uncover the truth.

Michael and his team:

• Investigate the facility’s internal practices and financial controls.
• Work with forensic experts to trace stolen assets.
• File complaints with APS, ODH, and law enforcement.
• Pursue civil litigation for restitution and punitive damages.
• Hold negligent facilities and individuals fully accountable.

His mission is to protect seniors from exploitation and restore justice and dignity to families who have been betrayed.

Conclusion

Financial exploitation in nursing homes is a deep betrayal of trust. It robs seniors not just of their money, but of their sense of security and independence.

No family should have to wonder whether a loved one’s caregivers are taking advantage of them.

If you suspect that your loved one has been financially exploited in an Ohio nursing home, Attorney Michael Hill can help. With compassion, experience, and determination, he investigates the facts, exposes wrongdoing, and fights to protect the financial and emotional well-being of Ohio’s seniors.

Because protecting a resident’s dignity means protecting every aspect of their safety—including their finances.