__________________________________________Ask the DA

My mother, a senior citizen living alone in Brooklyn, relies on an aide to provide assistance several days per week.   My mother has given the aide access to her ATM card in order to make cash withdrawals for her. She recently discovered that this person has been making unauthorized withdrawals from her bank account and in addition, has made numerous long distance calls without her permission.  I live hundreds of miles away, in another state.  Please help.

Your mother is not alone.  There are many seniors like her who, because of their physical or mental limitations, must rely upon assistance for activities of daily living.  Some enlist aid from a home care agency, many rely on family members, and still others depend on friends and neighbors.

In answer to your question, I would advise the following:  First, contact the home health care agency to report what has occurred.  Next, report any suspected thefts to the local precinct.  For further assistance, call/visit one of my local Neighborhood Offices (to find the one nearest you, call 718-250-2555). 

I would caution all seniors and those responsible for their care to be especially careful when obtaining home care service.  Only seek aides from certified agencies, and be sure that their references have been checked before admitting them into your home.  Ask for receipts when your aide goes shopping or does banking for you. Let the bank, supermarket, and other local business owners know you and your home health aide.  They will be able to let you know if anything suspicious has occurred.  Keep all personal information, valuables and account numbers to yourself.  To the extent that you are able, maintain relationships with neighbors, friends and family.  Familiarize yourself with your local precinct and your nearest D.A.’s Neighborhood Office.  Remember, the more isolated you remain, the more vulnerable you will become.

Senior citizens are under siege in this county.  They are being driven out of their homes due to increasing costs of real estate.  Many are surviving on fixed incomes, and available services are limited.  Seniors are a particularly vulnerable population and thus, an easy target.

We all need to sensitize ourselves to this very important issue. Be a good neighbor.  Pay attention to the seniors living alone on your block or in your apartment building.  If you see a change in their normal routine or notice something that seems suspicious, check in on them.  Let us become a community that is judged by how well we treat our elders.