Tips to help protect seniors from home health fraud and theft

COLLIER COUNTY, Fla. – Instead of going into nursing home facilities, many seniors are opting to stay home and hire people to come in and help with medical needs, grocery shopping and cleaning. But sometimes, the very people they hire and trust, end up stealing from them.

“They do have more opportunity and opportunity can lead to problems,” said Angela Larson, Supervisor for the Victim and Senior Advocacy Unit of the Collier County Sheriff’s Office.

Naples Police just arrested home health aide Gerlen Previlon Dareus. Detectives say she stole her 84-year-old patient’s credit card and used it to buy $16,000 worth of items over four months.

The arrest comes on the heels of a similar arrest in Lee County last week. Deputies there say home health nurse, Lynn Schlosser, opened credit cards in eight of her patients’ names and spent thousands of dollars on herself.

WINK News wanted to know how seniors or their caregivers can help prevent something like this from happening to them.

“You want to do more than just coming into your home unchecked,” said Larson.

Larson says there are several steps to take including:
– Getting recommendations about the healthcare professional or the agency who’s placing them from family or friends.
– Doing a thorough background check of the person.
– Reviewing all credit cards and bank statements each month.
– Getting a credit report from all three credit agencies each year.

In Collier County, you can get a background check for the healthcare professional at the sheriff’s office for just $5. You need the person’s name and date of birth.

If you suspect identity fraud, theft or any issue contact your local police department or sheriff’s office.