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My situation concerns my 87 yr old mother who has a guardian under what I consider fraudulent circumstances. Her guardian (nephew) has abused his power and authority. Has a civic suit against me alleging all sorts of things. He was ultimately granted a preliminary injunction against me without the benefit of being heard that basically denies my mother and I access to one another. This case has been ongoing since March 28th.2022. My mother was taken from our home on May 18th 23 allegedly for her safety/ protection from me, but ultimately returned on August 31th. 23.
Present circumstances, she was taken by EMS to the emergency room on 10-10-23 and I've been banned from seeing or speaking to her, without anything warranting sure actions by the guardian.
I've made reports after reports to no avail.
My mother was diagnosed with dementia 6-30-22 and the torture/ torment she has suffered at the hands of her guardian, her son and a woman she legally placed up for adoption 66 yrs. Ago
This has been absolutely the most horrifying experience for first and foremost, my mom and myself.
I have compelling/ Conclusive evidence to support my statements.
There has been no interest in the well being/ best interest of my mother. Their only concern has been property that was gifted to me by my mother and the plaintiff, her son and the legally adopted woman have been after.
So much more to this horrific story.

After the sudden death of my father in March 2018, my mother returned from Pennsylvania back to her primary residence in Florida. My parents also owned property in Ocean City NJ, where they resided during the summer months. Upon returning to Florida my mother redid her will and estate, as well as adding both myself and sister to both her bank accounts. Both my sister and I reside in Pennsylvania. During early 2020, she was experiencing depression and anxiety but insisted she was OK and wanted to remain in Florida. We spoke every day. She was seeing doctors in Florida and working on different medications. Shortly after the covid 19 pandemic occured my mother called me and said she was in Ocean City NJ. She told me that my sister and brother in law went down unexpectedly as a surprise to bring her up to her NJ home. A few months later she was upset that her electric bill was over 500 dollars and she told me she was calling the electric company. As my sister and her family were at the shore those months I told her that was probably the reason. She didn't want to say anything. My mother was scheduled to see a neurologist in late August. Earlier in August, my mother told me that my sister made a room for her at her house. She believed this was to make it easier for my sister to take her to the upcoming doctor appointment. I went over to see her and her room. I thought it was good for her to be around people rather than alone in Florida or New Jersey. It was the middle of covid and the only person wearing a mask was my mother in her room. When my nephew arrived he did not have a mask. Neither did my niece. My mother told me that she just stayed in her room and always wore her mask. We were both a little concerned but again she didn't want to say anything. Due to covid I was told that I could not attend the appointment only one person was allowed to go. She called me after and said the neurologist wanted some testing done, which was scheduled for late August. Although I asked my sister to please keep me informed, she did not. Most of my information was given to me by my mom. It was difficult visiting her with covid so we mostly talked on the phone all the time. After she had the testing the neurologists provided a 19 page written report, which they also went over in depth with my sister present. My mother told my sister to email me a copy of the report. She called me after the appointment and was a little upset because she couldn't drive anymore. Her diagnosis was dimentia. The report noted multiple things, one being at risk for both benevolent exploitation as well as by others. Her cognitive abilities were very impaired and she needed help in decision making. Several suggestions were made, including that she was not to be alone. It was suggested that a home care person be hired. I was told that they had it covered. However, it was evident that every time I spoke to her she was alone. My mom did not want me to say anything. Shortly after, my mom called me and said she just got back from the hospital. She fell down the steps and broke her ankle, she had to call 911 as again no one was there. She now had to have physical therapy. Then in November of 2020 she called me from the shore and said that my sister had covid so my niece took her to the shore. It was just a matter of time. I have no idea what they were doing with her at this point. I think they took her to a testing site and she was now positive also as well as my sisters husband and daughter. In December, my mother called me upset that her eyes itched and she didn't have an eye doctor in PA. Again, no one was there. I told her I would call her back and called my eye doctor's office who scheduled a tele appointment for later that day. She called me after the appointment and thanked me she really liked the doctor and he said it was common for covid to spread to the eyes. A couple days later I asked her how the drops were working and she said she didn't have them yet. I couldn't beleive it. No one was there. I told her I would go get them and leave on the step but she seemed afraid and told me no she thought someone was picking them up that day. She never wanted me to say anything. I now know why. In March 2021, she told me she was going to a new doctor in Springfield because she didn't have a family doctor here in PA. She called me after the doctor and told me her blood work was good and the doctor also gave her xanax. Knowing that medication was not recommended and specifically mentioned in the 19 page report of August 2020, I was starting to get concerned. We had plans in May if covid was less restrictive to spend some time at the shore together for my birthday. Prior to my birthday my mom asked if we could reschedule the shore but wanted me to come over on my birthday. I went to see her on May 14, 2021 that afternoon. We sat outside talking and I noticed at times she had a blank stare. Something seemed wrong. My sister came home and they were in a rush to go to the shore. My mom said things were not going well and she had 2 doctors appointment the following Monday and Tuesday. I asked her if I could take her and she said she would really like that. I hugged her and left. This was a Friday. I called her Sunday at about 10 PM, hoping it wasn't too late. She said no she was still up. Something didn't seem right and I wanted to make sure she was OK. When I asked her if I could take her to the doctor I could hear my neice in the background saying "tell her you have a ride". She told me I could take her to the next one.
Later that week she called and mentioned that my sister and brother in law were talking about buying her Florida house so she could help me. I didn't need any help and I told her I did not think it was a good idea right now. After being hung up on several times all of a sudden my calls went straight to her voicemail without ringing. My sister had her at the shore. This continued for several days and then I learned that my number was blocked from her phone. Being unable to contact her I became pretty upset. My sister then used the police to keep me from seeing her at her home and I was told that I would have to go through the court system because my sister said something to them about on going problems. Although I told the officier I was being kept from my mother who had dementia by my sister. Unsure what to do, several attorneys said that it was imperitive to contact COSA, the local agency in my area. I was a little hesitant because I didn't want to hurt my mom. I thought to myself no one can keep a person from their mom this is crazy. Then I received a notice in the mail that a PFA was denied. I couldn't believe it. Unsure of what was going on I thought I better let her attorney know in an effort to protect her estate from anything happening so I emailed the attorney informing him of her condition and mention of selling her house in which I was a 50% beneficiary. He replied asking me the names and then told me he couldn't speak to me as I was not his client. Then my phone which was on a family plan with my mom was cancelled. They had access to my phone, my mother's phone, her emails, her properties which locks were changed, and continued to isolate my mother from all communication with me. I was able to get my number back from AT T on June 18, 2021 at which time I decided to stop at both of my mothers banks to see if any changes were made. One bank told me I didn't exist and could not tell me anything else. The second bank told me that all my access was changed and I was not even authorized to make a balance inquiry, but was still on the account. He further said that if he were me he would run to a lawyer. I could not believe this was happening. At this point I did contact COSA, which was supposed to be confidential. I was told an investigation including bank accounts would be done. Then all of a sudden police were storming up my house because a call was made saying I was going to commit suicide. I told them what was going on and again was ignored. This was the first false police report. The day the investigator went to the home, the police again were called with lies about texting threats of killing myself to my mother. No such texts exist. All the while being told this is a civil matter. My friend thought I better go to the District Attorney's office so he drove me up there. The woman there was a disgrace to say the least. It was to much effort for her to write anything down let alone listen to what was happening. It was very deeming and unfriendly and this was supposed to be the person in charge of the so called "elder exploitation unit". What a sad experience. I received multiple nasty messages from my mothers phone as if it was her now accusing me of multiple criminal things and threats to file charges. I continued to receive threats from a relative in Wisconsin, which my lawyer was able to find out who the number belonged to. I noticed on facebook that every family relative disappeared, cousins I haven't talked to in years. Although, I went to the police about the false reports no one could do anything about it. What is scary is that they could actually use my sick mother to say or do anything. After following up with COSA I became very uncomfortable and hired an attorney. Til this day, my phone receives non stop messages from unknow numbers, email texts with explicite content, and all types of things. My mom was my best friend and only family I had left. When I texted my sister asking why her bank accounts were changed, they actually had her call me then took the phone and started screaming oh my god your stealing moms money. I knew now that this was real and my mother was being lied to. The worst part is nobody could help her or me. Then unsure where they had her I called to have a wellness check done. The police officier told me she was OK but never even saw her. Can you imagine. This is a person's loved one and my mother was not there she was in Florida with my sister. Knowing something didn't seem right the next day I called both New Jersey and Florida and Florida was able to confirm that she was at the Florida residence with my sisters family. That week in Florida, my sister took her to the attorney. She was actually the one who drove her there flew her there having full knowledge of the 19 page neurology report and being present at all doctors appointments knowing my mother's disease progressed, while isolating her from her other daughter, and provided a note with one sentence from a different doctor and changed everything on my mother's estate to herself and added her husband to my mothers financial power of attorney. She was now 100% beneficiary of my mothers home in Florida. She didn't stop there though. My father's pension beneficiaries were changed to her children and I was removed from my mom's 401k making my sister 100% of excess of 40,000 dollars. These changes all were made via email communications from my mother's email, which my sister had control of. It did not stop after Florida. I still am not sure about my parent's property in Ocean City. Sadly, as of today and my many attempts for justice my mother still resides with the very abusers who did this. I was attacked for contacting COSA, which I thought was confidential and treated like a criminal throughout the entire court proceeding. Every effort taken failed. No one did anything to help my mom or myself. In fact, doctors wrote letters saying that my mother said I was stealing her money. How pathetic is that. Of course, they will all be reported. Dispite the fact that a second doctor confirmed everything from the original August 2020 report my mother continues to be a victim and remains residing with the very people who did this. My mom continues to be isolated from her daughter knowing the damage caused by such isolation. She continues to be told lies about me so she will say "she doesn't want to see me" despite her progressive dimentia. So when I hear about how all this progress has been made and new task forces focusing on exploiting an elder, it makes me sick. I was forced to testify that I called COSA, which again is CONFIDENTIAL. Their own doctor who wrote a paragraph in his report of what my sister said defaming me with lies and then added his own opinion stating I sounded drunk on a phone message she played for him. This was during an evaluation in which this same doctor said my mom was fine but yet she didn't pass a single test. This is the very agency who is supposed to help my mom. My mother continues to be isolated from me. May of this year will now be 2 years. Evil does not describe what has happened. This is beyond sick and unthinkable. No amount of money can ever give me the time lost with my mother.

EVERYTHING

Be careful trust no one

How it is that a person can be prevented from seeing a parent, and for no reason at all be denied any information regarding their parent's health is unconstitutional. I would like to know how that can happen. A child should not have to pay attorney's to see their parent who they had a healthy loving relationship with. The second a person can not reach their parent something should be done immediately by law enforcement. I am sorry to say that Pennsylvania has failed my mother and myself and I live with emptiness and sadness and will probably never see my mom again. I want everyone to know what has happened to me and my mom and how every effort I took failed. I want answers myself as to how this can happen. I am not sure what my hopes are other than people who do this belong in jail. Not in civil court. There has to be a remedy of prison. I will continue to fight for my mother's justice. I want people to know the truth. Not a single agency helped. NOT ONE!!!!!! Please tell me who I can contact for help. Can congress help? Who? I would like to know.

Help me tell my story

From: Anders, James
Sent: Sunday, November 27, 2022 2:16 PM
To: Anders, James
Subject: VonUlrich

1514 Burke Road Baltimore Maryland 21220 – Freeze Accounts of Andrew von Ulrich – Elder Financial Exploitation investigation

History and facts – last 10 years

After my mother died – and prior to her death – for 45 years of marriage – I was essentially the only child living near them or actively in their day-to-day life. I participated in their day-to-day life (especially in navigating any legal or financial or transaction type events) – including all of their estate and financial planning. It became clear – that after years of marriage, separating assets into two buckets – his and hers from prior to marriage made no sense and they comingled all assets. Ninety percent of all assets came from my mother and her family (She had several houses – and money from her parents and an aunt). However, having been married for years and aging togethers as well as the legal documents and process required to prepared and maintain separate assets but to also provide for lifetime care for each other was no longer important. What was priority and important was care for life for both and sharing any remaining equally among 4 children – without exception even if the relationship was stressed or even estranged. I being a CPA (as was my mother), I participated in on all estate discussions and Wills and titling of assets. It was a focus and not a neglect of Regina von Ulrich or Andrew von Ulrich. They understood the importance of making sure their wishes were reflected in any documents. All Wills and all accounts were set up – and I participated in the strategy – to pass any remaining assets by way of beneficiary designation – and that remaining dollars were to be divided (I have copies) into 25% percent to each child. Much discussion happened around Christine in the early years as she was estranged from Andy and my mother. However, that became a topic that was decided about 15 or 20 years ago – the decision was --- all would be included. However, primary was care for life for both – and preservation of monies. All the trust and all the legal efforts to keep my mother’s money separate was stopped – although there are many Wills which had those conditions included. Andy and my mother committed to each other in front of me – and the attorneys (at that time) that they would never violate the joint wishes as a sole survivor. Melanie and I were always the two designated to insure this.

After my mother died and Andy was living alone – I visited regularly and had dinner – and watched (or pretended to watch and enjoy) his old movies. There were a few things that were important to him (he was a simple man of needs) – however, he knew that he needed to move to be supervised and monitored - for reasons related to age but also to a health diagnosis (to be highlighted below). I was – other than my mother – the only person who knew his health issue and prognosis (and also the cause of his death – however he was age 94 and had lived longer than the average from his cancer and the prognosis from the medical professionals).
We discussed Erickson Retirement Communities as an option – as I was a founding member of the Board of Directors for 21 years during the start-up and growth phase (built into a National Company) and we established the CCRC national community model of care and financing for seniors and a model designed for aging in place - (Continuing Care Retirement Community). I also Chaired the board of directors. However, he didn’t want to live in an old age home as he called it (BTW our communities are not old age homes and are very healthy active communities 😊). I also know things like - he had a face lift in his 60’s – again only my mother and I knew of this. He was a proud person and he wanted to live in the in-law cottage I had built for aging-in-place – which was only10 steps to my front door but independent living with safeguards and 24/7 monitoring.

Christine von Ulrich’s framing of the last 4 to 5 years as motivated by her goals – did not reflect the last 45 years or even the last 7 years. She doesn’t know the history and was not involved. She only started limited visits during the last 5 years. Although they had some prior contact over phone and internet – and an few visits by Andy to their houses to spend time – a few holidays. After a few visits – Christine talked to Andy about buying a house with (for) her and Andy to live – in Richmond VA. That was 4 or 5 years ago. Andy visited her – and came home upset – that Christine wanted him to move into a house they would purchase and she would take care of him. He wanted nothing to do with the idea – and said he wanted to stay in the in-law cottage. He was not happy at her persistence.

The Cottage is on a waterfront property with waterfront views – designed and built based on Erickson Retirement Community standards – note my son and I are both certified aging in place specialist. The Cottage was built for my mother in-law – and was designed as an aging in place cottage with a full bath and laundry and bedroom and kitchen – with all the safety features including an intercom system linked to my house. The front door is 10 steps from my front door and could be monitored 24/7. That is how I was able to find withing the day - Andy when he died. It has an emergency generator – internet – and all the features of senior living cottage – all on one level (no steps or obstacles). It has a separate HVAC system and a back-up generator for power. This was built special for aging in place seniors – and family. It is not a rental.

Andy was living in a mobile home park – double wide with my mother when she died. It was 30 minutes from my home and I was the only relative nearby. It cost him $600 a month to rent the pad (land space only) plus utilities and maintenance – he was spending more than $1,000 a month.
I was called regularly by park management if something happened. The park management called often – as Andy was often reported by neighbors for exposure or peeping Tom concerns. I would talk to Andy and he indicated he was outside peeing in the bushes. I of course told him he could not do this. Melanie living in Florida was called as well (She and I had always been the people to notify) – but all she could do was call me. Christine was not involved in his life at the time. When my mother-in-law died – Andy asked if he could move into the cottage – indicating he needed a place as he was getting older – it was also helpful to me – since we could monitor 24/7. I helped and my family helped – with selling the mobile home – and moving him. He liked the furniture my mother-in-law had – and he said he wanted the bed, living room furniture and kitchen table/chairs – including the recliner my mother-in-law had (ironically mentioned by Christine as Andy’s – of course she had no idea since she was not involved – it is soiled and trash at this point). Andy was also monitored by our neighbors – we are a waterfront community on a peninsula and at the very end of the peninsula. If he fell walking – neighbors would bring him home. They all knew him.

Christine didn’t know any of the history and definitely doesn’t know that the Cottage was built as am aging-in-place Cottage for our family (however it has a sign – and painting of a lighthouse – with the word’s – Granny’s Cottage 😊). Comments about rushing to get things removed so I can rent the apartment demonstrates her behavior of quickly removing all valuables and paperwork that contained anything that suggested she exploited Andy or any evidence of her actions. I told her no rush. We documented all phones calls – have all text and emails – and they are enlightening (especially during the first 2 weeks after he died). Melanie had no idea at that point of the changes made. And could not understand Christine’s insistence on need to quickly remove anything he had in his apartment. Of course, given the fiduciary responsibilities we all have to the estate – including Christine – simple elements such as an inventory of all assets in the apartment – jewelry, rare coin collects, silver and others – never happened. In one day – Christine came in an removed all valuables and the laptop with all his information and bank accounts – and did not remove anything that was trash. It should be noted, we have documentation of all calls – especially the 2 weeks immediately after his death – her many text asking to visit immediately to clean out his apartment – again we said no, there was no rush and we had time – plus we were going to sport events with out grandchildren. Her insistence and many texts suggest she wanted to get something out of the apartment quickly. Very odd – even Melanie said that there was no rush (until 2 weeks later when Christine told her that everything was now in only their names – changed during the last 3 years) Melanie then went “radio silent”.

Health Information and Cause of Death – known only to his doctor and myself – and the coroner.

Andy was in final stages of Malignant Neoplasm of Prostrate. Diagnosed about 15 years ago – but he is now at age 94 – and during the last 5 years – it was obvious he was slowing down significantly and impaired – all of his senses were significantly declining. Andy had a hard time hearing, his eyesight had deteriorated (he could not read without telescope lenses – and then only very slowly), he slept much of the day – and he was very slow understanding or knowing what he was being told. He spent a lot of money (which we paid on our account) playing with the TV and purchasing streaming services or movies or whatever – and even though he could not see TV well. He had an added speaker – that was so loud that we could hear from our house 😊. His walk was a shuffle and only very short shuffle steps. He cognitive understanding was slow – but he also never wanted anyone to know. When telling him something he often just said “yes” or “ok” – and I never knew if he really understood what I said.
I knew he had terminal cancer – he knew he had terminal cancer – and we all knew that when age 80 – maybe this slow cancer (not treated for age and protocol reasons 15 years ago) would give him 5 to 7 years – but he wanted to be somewhere – like this Cottage where we would monitor him 24/7. His wallet had 2 phone numbers for emergency contact – My wife and my phone number (no others). The night we found him – the police was at our home for 6 hours – and we needed his files and wallet – and the police had full access to everything as well. The last 5 to 7 years – Andy knew he was deteriorating – and the visits 3 or 4 times a year by Christine for a day would not provide her information into Andy (other than he was fragile and very slow) – but he condition and her not engaging much as he was maintaining his daily routine while she did whatever she did - allowed her to purchase a new laptop and work the entire day while Andy slept mostly or watched TV (most listened) while she sat on patio – going thru his files – and changing the banking verification numbers to her phone – or including her number as well. She had full access to all his passwords and accounts – and honestly, we all trusted her intentions – even though she was not a very social person with anyone while visiting – we knew that was just her.

The death certificate – which I have. I was managing his affairs and called the police and worked with the coroner. The police contacted his primary physician based on the records we provided that night. This was not important and Christine would not really know - she didn’t live with him nor did she have information or history. She did not know what caused his death and would never have guessed it was the cancer. She continued to ask during the 2 weeks we talked – do I know what caused his death. Without the coroner and his primary care physician – I didn’t discuss his medical history or condition with her.

Andy had all the signs of end of life and was in final stages of his malignant cancer and cause of death. In addition to not recognizing people (unless he saw them regularly and even then, it took him time to study to person), he was fatigued, maintained a routine and he had cognitive impairment. Cognitive impairment is a key factor in why older adults are targeted and why perpetrators succeed in victimizing them (most often relatives are the perpetrators – a very classic and documented statistic) . Even mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can significantly impact the capacity of older people to manage their finances and to judge whether something is a scam or a fraud. Mild cognitive impairment is an intermediate stage between the expected cognitive decline of normal aging and the more serious decline of dementia.13 Studies indicate that 22 percent of Americans over age 70 have MCI and about one third of Americans age 85 and over have Alzheimer’s disease. At age 90 to 94 – and being in the absolute final stages of cancer – Andy was a prime and easy target. However, I and Melanie knew the 45-year plan and goals of my mother and Andy (However, Melanie is now compromised – during the first 2 weeks after Andy’s death Melanie was clear on the wishes and plan as outlined for 45 years).

Will and Beneficiaries

As indicated earlier – every estate decision ever made was done with intent – and a significant amount of money was spent on legal fees – mostly to avoid this exact situation – but also to save on taxes. Their estate is not of a size that really needed much planning – however both my mother and Andy wanted to avoid conflict – how ironic this is just what they wanted to avoid. Christine during the first 2 weeks after Andy’s death said a few things that indicated she was struggling with the process and how to even tell Melanie and I of what has been changed during the last 3 years – and to somehow express it as she had no idea until now. Ironically, when she discussed it with the attorney helping with probate – she had information about the last 3 years? 🙂 I was the one that said she better get expert help with probate given the situation – and she called the local firm who helped make the changes to the Will 3 years ago – a Will of no value since all of the estate has been changed to reflect different beneficiaries – and to enrich Christine. I also recommended that his pension might have a life insurance element – and she called. From a fiduciary point of view – we want all assets accounted for. I actually think Christine and Melanie would benefit from a collective mutually friendly settlement of the estate – as we were doing for the first 2 weeks after Andy’s Death – prior to learning what Christine has been doing. However, the Will is not as important – and not material – since all assets have been removed from the estate (except maybe one bank account). It should be noted this strategy to designate as beneficiaries the heirs (all 4 children – 25% each) was planned long before Christine arrived back in Andy’s life – and was done with Andy and my mother and myself. What was changed during the last 3 years – as a fragile – late-stage cancer and 94-year-old man slept – were the beneficiaries. This now requires active forensic investigation by the Federal and State agencies – the banking regulators – the financial institutions – and honestly the involvement of national advocacy groups who are focused on a National Crisis as our population ages.

The executor has a fiduciary duty to an estate, and to its beneficiaries, when settling an estate plan. A fiduciary is someone in a position of trust and power, and the law recognizes this and so places an added burden on that person or institution to act with honesty, integrity, good faith, fairness and loyalty.
The fiduciary accepts legal responsibility for duties of care, loyalty, good faith, confidentiality, and more when serving the best interests of a beneficiary. Strict care must be taken to ensure that no conflict of interest arises to jeopardize those interests.
When administering an estate, an executor must give notice to creditors and pay the debts of the estate. The executor must also gather all assets together, prepare and file tax returns, distribute assets and close the estate. At all times, the executor must account for all assets of the estate.
Hiding and mismanaging assets, and a host of other deceptive, unfair, or negligent actions by an executor can result in litigation and could be illegal. These are crimes that federal and state regulations and various laws are designed to protest the estate and all potential beneficiaries.

We already know – fact – that assets have been removed from the estate and Andy’s legal residence – without inventory and without a valuation. Are they material in value? However, without following the process required legally in settling an estate – we don’t know for sure. I have inventory of coins – not sure it is a complete list of all the coins. However, the efforts to change beneficiaries during the last 3 years that removed two of the beneficiaries and increase the amount to 50% for both Christine and Melanie does have all the signs of Elderly Financial Abuse of:

1. A 94-year-old man in final stages of a Malignant cancer – frail and fragile – with signs of cognitive decline – significant hearing loss – and significant eyesight issues. During a 3-year period changed $500,000 in bank accounts to have Christine and Melanie be beneficiaries of entire amount – reversing 45 years of history and known intention of the deceased. There are prior estate legal documents with Register of Wills that help document – and even Melanie said she had a copy 3 weeks ago. Note: Christine told Melanie – on the phone with me – not to e-mail me what she had – email was not safe. 😊

There are list and examples of crimes published by Federal and State agencies – and this is a National Crisis.
• providing true but misleading information that influences the elder person's use or assignment of assets (Dessin, 2000);
• persuading an impaired elder person to change a will or bank accounts or insurance policy to alter who benefits from the will or policy (Central California Legal Services, 2001; Frolik, 2001; Smith, 1999);
Current Situation
During the last few weeks, Christine and Melanie have stopped all communication. Your office was investigating and just sent an email/letter. We all have a fiduciary responsibility – and as such – we have initiated and reported this situation to a number of Federal, State and Financial Authorities. One financial institution has already reached out several times. The United States Postal Service has opened a case – on Mail Fraud to investigate. They have requested that we keep all the records we have for use in their investigation. A report has been filed with the FBI – and we are waiting for triage -which might result in them referring to another Law Enforcement Agency, and The Maryland Department of Aging/Adult Protective Services also has been notified.
The urgency of removing the balance of contents is silly as they are of no value – Christine has already removed all valuables – and especially the computer laptop. I cannot release the files – but copies can be made. It is in the best interest of all concerned to be 100 transparent and to work together. We can mitigate cost of settling estate (even if we never talk again – we will be honoring the wishes of our parents and grandparents). My moral compass and North Star are to do the right thing for everyone – especially the fragile such as elderly and disabled. My goal is definitely not financial and 100% of my portion will go to legal cost or charity. For the Record: The reference to me being a millionaire and calling me a millionaire made me smile. I have only been called that once in my entire life – and that was by Christine via Melanie. Andy would never have said that or referred that – or make reference to a name “label” such as you are a millionaire. Insulting comment to me --- yes – but it does not reflect my values or my focus or who I am. That comment was from someone who does not know me – and was not said as a compliment. And if anything – Andy always bragged about my career at Kennedy Krieger Institute and my involvement at Erickson Retirement Communities. And the comment about Cristy – my deceased brother’s daughter – not being involved – that too was not Andy’s words. I would ask him about Christy – and he would say – I know Melanie talks to her and visits her – they are friends. And it was never a negative comment from Andy. Again, that was not Andy. Your investigation must have been an interview with Christine as I can hear her words in those quotes.
Proposal and next step
1. I have also been reviewing everything with two separate attorneys – and have considered engaging them – on a contingency basis.
2. The financial institutions need to continue their work – as this is serious for financial institutions – and much has been written and recent laws requiring them to take a more active role in stopping Elderly Financial Exploitation
3. The regulatory process – we have notified a few – and have a list of several others we are told to notify.
4. Advocacy groups – national – we have a list to include and have talked in the phone to 2 of them.
5. The Attorney General’s Office and state legislators – many of whom I know – need to understand how serious this national crisis has become – and if this case can be an example or help them understand the issue so as to involve the legislature – than that would be a win for me and the elderly. I am in a phase of life that impacting public policy and helping the most fragile is important to me and my last phase of career.
I know that these issues are important (I know the Elderly are fragile and at risk of abuse in so many ways. My entire life was focused on the Elderly and Disabled and most fragile of society. I know that those with disabilities and the elderly need advocates and people to look for ways to protect them from exploitation. Ironically – I never thought I would see it in my back yard. Fortunately, I personally have been blessed in life with many things – people and relationships are the most important. Blessings are not money or things – and doing the right thing ‘Always” should be our North Star.
I would hope that Christine and now Melanie would think about this – remember their duty as fiduciaries – and their legacy as well. I hope they find their North Star – and we are prepared to work with them – talk to them – and settle the estate – doing the right thing.

The Federal and State laws and regulations combined with Banking regulation and procedures - actually help those committing Elder Financial Abuse - since most are relatives - and can gain access to accounts and passwords - online changes to accounts and beneficiaries are easy. Even if the Elderly person cannot hear well or see well - and if something is required to be signed - trust of a 94 year old is easy as well. Paperless Banking also helps cover up - since no mail is received to open and see changes.

Don't trust - and always have 2 people involved - and financial institutions should not change bank accounts without notice to prior beneficiaries if the current owner is over a certain age. 94 years old is too old - statistically this person have cognitive issues.

Better oversight and regulatory control and an investigation unit that is combined efforts of State, Federal and Banking regulation. A single point that those can get help and a coordinated federal investigation - forensic in nature. Today computer trails are evidence and banks have those files and history.

We are currently in process of getting the interest of Federal and State and Banking. The amount taken is $500,000 and Andrew von Ulrich is not famous - so finding help is not easy. Ideas on who to call - all financial institutions have been notified and we hope assets frozen until an investigation is complete. Jim Anders

Hacked computer. Nearly cost us thousands of dollars.

Received a pop-up notice allegedly from Apple (Apple does NOT send these) stating that my computer was hacked. The notice told me to call a rep. The rep gave his full name and false Apple ID number. (Real Apple reps don't do that). He suggested my bank account may have also been hacked. He asked me to give the toll-free bank member service number, which I did. (Golden 1 Credit Union). He said he would transfer me to a customer service rep at the bank. The person who answered was NOT a customer service rep. He told me my checking account had been hacked for more than $15,000. He said the only way to stop it was to withdraw $15,000 from my account and await further instructions. Fortunately, by that time, I got suspicious. So I visited my branch and talked to the manager. He agreed that this was a scam. I gave the names of the fraudulent agents and their phone numbers to the FTC.

I am 64 on disability yes my health is going down hill mental to I have complex PTSD.I have a trustee that committed fraud did not do roof replacement that insurance company gave him check.Now I am living in toxic mold mycotoxin home pets died I am next lost everything.hired lawyer took money did nothing.

My life life and reason to live life been destroyed I have no family so easy take advantage of I pray God I don't wake up in morning.i am tired of have my rights laws to protect me denied I did nothing wrong rule of law is a joke

That there is bad lawyers greedy lying don't care about life cruel and inhumane treatment of people that don't have recorces fight back there life has no value and gov adult protective services is a joke to don't care it's sad evil is in charge humans are few believe in good truth .

I have no future I am going to be homeless

When does rule of law apply to elders like me I have tons evidence didn't matter

I am a 75 year-old Army vetern, retired w/SCD. I am physically compromised by age, a mental weakness that allows me to trust those that are kind to me, and the loss of a couple of digits. Michael George and Traci Hynes are middle-aged, healthy people with children who, along with Traci's parents are living in two homes that are on his 14-acre hemp farm that adjoins my property.

At the time of my problems with my neighbors, Michael G. and Traci Hynes, I was living alone on my 4.38 acre property, attempting to repair and restore two homes in order to sell. I was overwhelmed by the enormity of my tasks, and compromesed by my diminished physical ability for construction labor, nd hampered by my inability to hire local workers to help me due to the COCID-19 epidemic. Michael convinced me to lend him a $90,000.00 business/personal loan for the purpose of freeing him of his $96,000.00 credit debt. He promised me that, once he payed off his debt, he would no longer have to work odd jobs in order to pay the monthly interest of these debts. Then he could spend more of his time helping me repair and restore my property. After I gave him the money, Michael tricked me into signing a "loan agreement" that enabled him and his wife to keep the $90,000.00 business/personal loan, allowing them to repaying the loan over 15 years, and paying me back with no intrest.

Dispite the state and federsl laws forbiding, or, at least, discouraging financial exploitation of the elderly, I have been unsucessful over the past two years in finding legal help, or a lawyer who is willing to help me. The Sheriff's Department (who has juristiction over Gloucester, NC) is that I signed a contract, and no crime has been committed that justifies their investigation. The Buncombe County magistrate's position is that she "wouldn't give money to my own children," and that I "am free to enter into a bad deal." The Carteret and Craven County District Attorny's position is that "everyone is free to embark on a bad deal," and that I need to get a lawyer. The Department of Social Services's position is that I "need a lawyer." The State Attorney's Elder Abuse division's position is that I need a lawyer.
I am reciving an army pension and SSI payments. I am not indigent, but, because I am $90,000.00 short, and have a sick spouse I support, and a home for which I pay and average of $3000.00 a month in utilities every month, I can not afford to hire a lawyer. I am not the only elderly person - suseptible to trusting perceived friends - who is juggling these sorts of expenses. How is anyone surprised that the increase in elder financial abuse is "on the rise?"

I hope that , in the future, all the entities that are "committed to abolishing elder financial abuse and holding their abusers accountable" actually start doing things to reach their state goal.

If anything positive comes from the time and effort I have spent filling out this form, I will probably keel over with a massive stroke.

I am a senior citizen who lives in Rhode Island is a victim of power-based abuse. My daughter attacked me a fee weeks ago and was arrested. I am trying to flee but I haven't any income. I am living in an apartment without heat and sleeping on the floor. The abusers are her father's celebrant family. I need help.

I am being emotionally, financially and psychologically abused by my adopted daughter and her boyfriend and someone else who they are working with. She said that she wants to create a a story that I am crazy and put me away. When I was sick for a while I told her how awful I felt. Her answer was - "I want to see the will. I want to see how much I'm getting." She googled a site that tells you how to get your name on a deed. I have been pickpocketed, tracked and followed, my devices have been hacked and all of my jewelry, financial papers and a suitcase full of clothes have been stolen. They have violated and victimized me in all ways. They also jammed my security cameras and are able to get through all locks. The authorities haven't helped me. I need these criminals to be investigated. I have loved, protected given my all to my daughter. I saved her life. This is not how I thought my life and hers would be .

I have two master's degrees. I am still teaching and directing productions. To have anyone say demeaning things about me is very destructive. I feel that I am in a cruel game. I'm not free to live my life. She is drinking now and her once beautiful faced is puffed and distorted. Her boyfriend is cruel and controlling.
In addition, they abused and killed my beautiful cat.
Everything they do are traits of sociopaths and I am the target.

I have called attorneys, security personnel, the elder hotline and others for gel and have gotten nowhere. I am all alone in this. I need some help.

My hope is for people in power to listen and understand the pure grief that I'm experiencing every day. I have a log of everything these criminals have perpetrated.

My story needs light. I need to get it out there. I need the broken system to work. Agencies that are supposed to help do not come through.

I am reaching out to bring awareness to the heartbreaking story of my grandmother Margaret Jennings, a beloved mother who was betrayed by three of her own children over money and property. Despite winning her legal battle in Jennings v. Jennings, No.
B327268 (Cal. Ct. App. Dec. 28, 2023), justice remains incomplete. Her children were found guilty of fraud and financial elder abuse, yet they refused to pay what they owed, instead choosing to wait for her to pass.

Margaret spent the last years of her life grieving the loss of her children-not through death, but through their own abandonment. They never sought forgiveness, never attempted to make things right. And now, after ignoring her for over five years, they want control over her funeral arrangements which is being held March 4th, 2025.

Even in death, her fight for justice continues. Margaret's attorneys have been unable to locate one of the defendants to serve her, delaying the accountability she deserved. Elder abuse is a silent epidemic, and Margaret's story is proof of how the legal system often fails to fully protect victims.

This is not just about Margaret-it is about every vulnerable elder who is financially exploited by those they trust most. We need to shed light on her story to prevent this from happening to others. I would love to discuss this further and provide any necessary documentation, including court records and personal testimonies.
Please help us bring justice to Margaret Jennings and raise awareness about elder financial abuse. Let's make sure her story is heard.
Thank you for your time and consideration.

My grandmother died with a broken heart a day before her birthday

02/14/26-2/13/2025

It typically done by trusted love ones.

There should be something in place where elders no matter their financial status can have resources and help

I was courted online over a period of 3 years and then the person came to my home. I have been financially exploited, harassed, stalked and emotionally traumatized by it all. I am a senior on the autism spectrum, with epilepsy, who is a lesbian. Towards the end I feared for my own life.

I was living at home and a woman I had been communicating with over 3 years was having difficulties and I offered for her to stay at my home for a couple months, when I planned to travel. The day after she arrived she asked me to legally adopt her. She is a middle aged woman and I said “No”. She then persuaded me to have her be property manager for renters at my home and in my Assessory dwelling Unit. She was very loud and persuasive. She requested to use my computer for a security system and soon had gone onto my amazon account. I got notification next of someone trying to use of my Lowe’s credit card. She cashed in items I had bought for over $350 at Target. She asked for borrowing money. First it was small sums then larger. It came out to over $15,000. When I got home and saw my bank statements I saw that it went to Redwood Sustainability, not to Ro Pereira, who had requested it via PayPal. Then she wrote that I had gifted her the money, as a tax write off. WRONG. Redwood Sustainability I did not authorize. Then she wrote an invoice for over $10,000 for one month of ‘work’ when she had been sick most of the time and staying in my personal studio. I no longer had free access to my own belongings. She talked me into giving notice to my housemate tenants. They were afraid of her and left in a few days. She was domineering and doing set ups to get me to believe my tenants were doing bad things to my home and writing harsh emails to them. I got scared and felt trapped. Then I fired her and told her she must leave by the end of the month. She said she would stay until September 1, per the contract, that I couldn’t make her leave. After my request for her to leave she sent me email sex messages and had someone stalk me and through stones at me in the park. I can’t prove it, but I know she did because she talked about it. She brought it up. I began to fear for my personal safety. I tried to get help from the police. They were no help. They told me I needed to give her notice to vote, which could take months. I finally realized I needed to get a protection order. There is no one here in bellingham washington to help with a protection order for domestic violence unless one has had sex with the perpetrator. I needed to spend thousands of dollars to hire an attorney to proceed in court for a one year protection order. The police had not served the protection order correctly and later told me that being a ‘vulnerable adult’ put it at low priority. The officer called the respondent and notified her and then came to my home 6-8 hours later. Of course she was gone by then and had not been served the protection order. There are NO resources for elder or vulnerable adult financial exploitation or abuse in Bellingham, WA. Adult Protective Services, did nothing to help me with a protection order. Domestic Violence Sexual Assault Center, would not help me, since I did not have sex with this woman who lived in my home. There are NO public resources in this city to protect seniors or disabled from domestic violence from a person living in their home, whom they do not have a sexual relationship with, even if that person was ‘courting’ them.

That there may be state laws to protect, but in reality there is a lack of priority, interest in or public funding to protect elders. Why does the Domestic Violence center exclude victims of domestic violence perpetrators, unless they had sexual intercourse with them?!
We are vulnerable due not only to aging and disabilities, but also because we may have retirement funds, to live on for the remainder of our lives, which is very tempting and easy access, with little or no repercussions for perpetrators breaking the law.

I would like to see that every domestic violence center will provide services to victims of domestic violence, financial exploitation within the home, to include who do not have an intimate relationship with the perpetrator. I would like to have adult protective services help us. I would like to have senior centers have a volunteer who would show us what to do and how to get help. The senior center coud have someone who arranges with the domestic violence center. A volunteer could go with the senior to court. The police need to put domestic violence of a vulnerable adult as high priority. The senior center needs to have a place for the elders to go to be safe during the serving of the protection order and then arrange a plan with them to be safe at home. Someone needs to go through things with the senior and find out if there has been identity theft and help the senior report it online and to the police. There needs to be counseling and support services for the aftermath and ptsd recovery.

The police need to investigate and prosecute elder abuse and financial exploitation. They need to recognize that it’s not just the money but its human lives. Research demonstrates that elder financial exploitation correlates with shortening one’s life by a significant number of years. FTC needs to bridge the gap between states. In my case this woman has been financially exploiting in California for years. Now up here on Washington. Who knows what other states? She claims to be poor, but on reality she changes names, uses supposedly real non-profits to claim tax deduction, and is on the move.

I would first like to thank the Elder Justice Coalition for stating that voices and stories matter. They do. I indeed need my voice heard. I need my story heard and spoken. And, I need help. The heart of my story centers around my paternal uncle, who I loved dearly, and he was my confidant as well as my best friend. My Uncle Ed never married and didn’t have any children of his own. He in fact treated me as if I was his own child and had contributed to my financial support throughout my life. I am a vulnerable adult. I have suffered most of my life with illnesses which have disabling symptoms, and I have been unable to consistently work enough to be self supporting. Upon my father‘s passing I became my uncle’s only next of kin. My uncle had appointed me his durable power of attorney and I was co-trustee of his estate. All of my uncle’s estate planning had been finalized with the assistance of my father before his death. It was of great importance to my uncle to establish and to maintain in his estate plan the care and support for my father’s needs as well as mine, and to have this continue through the duration of our lives. Not long after my father‘s death I hired an attorney for my uncle as well as a fiduciary company which this attorney recommended and closely worked with. My objective was for these professionals to assist me with my uncle’s care if needed. My uncle was suffering with advanced symptoms of Alzheimer’s disease which had been diagnosed at the University of Washington. What ensued is a horror story. Both my uncle and I fell victim to the pernicious predatory acts of these people which included and is not limited to: extreme financial exploitation that exceeded $1 million, violation of our religious civil liberties and human rights. Antisemitic discrimination! They took advantage of a position of power over my Uncle Ed; undue influence, isolation. Not only did they prey upon my uncle’s vulnerabilities, they preyed upon mine as well. My Uncle Ed and I were lost and trapped in an unearthly system of abuse, neglect, and power, which went on for years.

Ultimately, the attorney I hired for my uncle and the fiduciary company seized control over my uncle and his estate. I had acquired documents after my uncle died that shattered me to my core. This attorney had engaged the services of Evergreen Healthcare, and in a letter to the psychiatrist with their geriatric regional assessment team, he had outlined the legal test for testamentary capacity. He wanted my uncle to be an evaluated with respect to his capacity to execute and sign new trust documents. In contrast to the psychiatric evaluation which stated that my uncle failed to meet the test for testamentary capacity, this attorney disregarded the findings and pursued and executed the new trust documents. He had my uncle sign them! This attorney also orchestrated the sale of my uncle’s house, which was my grandparents’ home and had been in my family for well over 50 years! I was never informed that the sale of my family’s home was being considered, or for that matter of the actual sale and disposal of my uncle’s, father’s, and grandparents’ personal belongings. I have mourned the loss of many items such as photographs and Jewish literature. And, I particularly mourn the loss of my grandmother’s Sabbath candleholders, and my family’s Mezuzah. This was my family’s Jewish heritage! Toward the end of my uncle’s life they had withheld where they had placed him, and when it was finally disclosed to me where my uncle was residing, my Uncle Ed‘s legs had been amputated! I had not been consulted or informed of this until I witnessed the horror that was awaiting me upon a visit! I probably will never know what caused the injury to my uncle’s legs, but what I do know with absolute certainty is that he did not suffer from diabetes, and, that the amputation of his legs is what killed him! In the weeks that followed my uncle’s death I had received a call from a social worker with adult protective services who had been investigating the elder abuse my uncle had been suffering, and she stated: “They killed him.” My uncle had been placed in a nursing center which was part of Crista Ministries. This is a very large Christian compound. I was not allowed to move my uncle to the Caroline Kline Galland home which is part of the Jewish retirement community in Seattle. My Uncle Ed was an Orthodox Jewish man, and this is where he died-which corrupt systems in the State of Washington allowed. My Uncle Ed was not buried in his prayer shawl due to the sale of my family’s home and the disposal of items which had also included his prayer shawl! I was not allowed to worship and assemble with an Orthodox Rabbi to pray and receive comfort and blessings while my uncle was in hospice. We were deprived our religious freedom and human rights in the State of Washington. This was antisemitic discrimination! Religious freedom must apply to all, equally and consistently. The case has been over for sometime now, and the statute of limitations have passed. Unfortunately, these bad actors were never held accountable for their bad acts.

The first thought that comes to my mind is the word empathy. Elder abuse, neglect, and fraud has metastasized throughout all of the United States of America, and can afflict all sectors of society. The tragedy that both my Uncle Ed and I suffered, decimated both our lives, and cost my uncle his life. It certainly altered the course of my life. And to be perfectly frank, I continue to be severely affected by the trauma that I suffered; the amputation of my uncle’s legs, the antisemitic discrimination, the deprivation of religious freedom and human rights. And, due to the financial exploitation that both my uncle and I endured, I am now very close to exhausting all my resources. In early 2025 I am facing a very good possibility that I will lose my house and become homeless, which terrifies me, and this is something that I absolutely fear that I would not survive.

My hope for the future is for the feeling of terror that I experience every morning upon rising to cease and be no more. My hope for the future is to live the remaining days of my life with my sweet black Labrador Retriever, and, to be safe and comfortable once again. This is what my Uncle Ed would have wanted for me as well. My hope and hunger for the future is that predatory acts by people in positions of power and, their use of lawfare to further do harm to victims will be stopped and punished! My hope and hunger for the future is for more of humanity to come forward out of the shadows, to protect and value the rights of older and vulnerable adults. We must work together and treat this population ethically, and to help prevent elder abuse.

I continue to be determined to leave no stone unturned, and even on days when I don’t feel as though I have any strength or faith left, I pray that someone, somewhere, will hear my plea . . . I need my voice heard. I need my story heard and spoken. And, I need help. Thank you very much for this opportunity to be able to bring this personal and very important story to your attention.

In 2013 my elderly father, living in his house was experiencing progressive worsening symptoms of Dementia. My younger son was living with him at the time and trying to help as best he could. Son alerted me that my father was on a decline, leaving stove on, doors unlocked, etc. There were neighbors/former co-workers, a girlfriend going out to eat, bank, etc. with him. My son questioned the relationship with these folks and warned me about this. I contacted his doctors' and they both wrote notes to me stating my father may need assistance, as his health was declining and my presence would be helpful if I could be stationed nearer to him. The military was kind enough to issue me orders, shortening my tour, and allowing me to transfer to a unit very close to his home.

After several months in my father's home, cleaning, cooking, doing everything I could to help him while focusing on my full time military career, the situation became stressful. My father insisted he needed no one's help, and that he was fine. He also made the same statements after we visited his primary care doctor, and his attorney. He suddenly became resentful, hostile, and told me and spouse to move out, ASAP. I had some medical issues at the time, and had no place to go with my household goods in storage. My spouse and I ended up in an Extended Stay, in a nearby town. Then, a couple of months later my son was locked out of the house and had access a window upstairs to gather his belongings and leave as well.

As we left his house on less than favorable terms, and I told my father I would only return if there was some emergency and would soon retire to another state. These friends, neighbors, former Federal Co-workers and his girlfriend kept coming to my father's home. They were all given keys to everything and my father seemed to trust all these people, and was always showing them into the house and showing them around. He was missing my mother, who died in 2010 and liked to show off her fine silver, china, and things she had inherited from back 3 generations in her family. She still had jewelry, antique mahogany furniture, and everything she had kept from her families treasured items. There was inherited money in the bank, and my father had a cache of weapons in the house and garage for safety reasons.
I sent a few cards, tried to call him over the years, and no answer. In early 2000, there was a call from a longtime friend of the family (a nurse) who said she had received disturbing late night calls from my father recently. She wanted to know if I was aware of his situation, and I did not being that I had not heard from him since we left. The family friend stated that when COVID hit, she found him alone, dirty, and that almost everything in his house, packed garage was gone! I wanted to talk to him and see him, but knew this was not the right time to travel as the virus was keeping everyone at home. After 4 months, I got another call from an older son who told me the rest of his garage was being emptied of all of his machinery, tools, tanks, massive saws, milling machine, drill presses, years of mechanical and technical books he saved. Weapons were also taken, and values stashed in the garage.

Once I was able to travel to Virginia in early May of 2020, I was able to talk to my father, who told me, "You stole money from my banking/savings account". I asked him for details, he wasn't sure, except to say that the bank was presented with a note and other documents by someone who said they were me and my husband, and my mother's only next of kin, and withdrew all the money in the account. After hearing this I called the bank fraud line and reported my concerns, then visited the bank branch where this happened, and tried to report identity theft, and Elderly Financial Fraud. I also reported everything to local police, state police, Dept of State for my mother's missing passport, Social Services, and began making a list of all that was gone from his home as best as I could remember. Not one agency, seemed interested in helping me because I wasn't the victim! I was only his daughter, so this was hearsay, and not really considered a valid claim. After visiting his attorney's office, I found out that he knew what had happened, but also did not seem to care about the Elder Fraud and Abuse, not reporting any of this to the authorities! At one point in a follow up phone call to the attorney, he stated he was "working on it". I never received followup, nor any help from anyone in the system. This seems as if, at least in the State of Virginia, that if the victim doesn't report these crimes, then it never happened. Please understand that I do not wish revenge for the perpetrators, only justice be served on these folks who committed horrible acts of crime towards my vulnerable, elderly father. The things taken, nearly everything were family heirlooms, precious things that were to be passed down to our small, existing family, me and my sons!

If persons like these so called, friends, neighbors, a girlfriend, even Federally retired co-workers, are not stopped, they will continue to target the elderly and I believe they will continue to profit and not be held accountable until they meet their judgement day when they die. Social Services was not even aware of an online course that can be taken in the event of elderly crimes, I took the training, then asked the agency if they had taken the Online Reporting Criteria course for Elderly Fraud & Abuse, and the Supervisor at this Social Services said no!

Laws must be strengthened to protect, report, and hold anyone accountable of known Elder Fraud, by family, especially next of kin!
Reporting: If everyone is held accountable, Attorneys (especially Elder Attorneys), Health Care workers, Bystanders who suspect a crime, business vendors, banks and their officials, we might get this type of criminal activity under control one day!

It wasn't after COVID that we really started to experience the difficulties that Mom was going to undergo at Catholic Elder Care in Mpls, MN. Mom had broken her left hip and was no longer able to go home. There were some good aides but after Covid many left because they could get paid by staying home. We lost some really good aides. We did have aides that were white but they soon left because working with the blacks from Africa became impossible. If you didn't go along with them and what they said and did then when you wanted help from them they wouldn't show up when you called for assistance. A couple of aides got paid from a family member who said, "if you make sure his clothes are in good shape, his shoes shined, hair combed and cleaned physically" I will make it worthwhile for you. they accepted the cash. Many of us were yelled at by the aides, told to mind our own business, and to quit complaining. Your Mom isn't the only one here you know!! Very rude--and the nurse mngr of the 1st floor did very little to change the outcomes. She was a friend to the aides, not a manager. I went round and round with these people enlisted the ombudsman, called the Office of Facility Complaints and the MN Deot of Health. When they checked out the laundry facilities operated by the Somalis, they told me, "can't tell you everything Laurie but I can say this," that place leaves alot to be desired". We finally put a camera in the room and boy do we have pictures to tell a horrid story. Some I shared with the nurse manager and when she herself saw what a couple of things were done she was amazed and angry. But did she really do anything about it, not really! And, when you are white and you are aware of the things that are going on and you try to fix it and a family member is there every day for 7 1/2 you are blacklisted and they can make you life miserable. I saw a PhD person talk about racim in the nursing homes and it is alive and well. Not understanding the language, no meaningful interaction between you and the aide, waiting for things to change, even get a little better and having the Dir of nurses and the Director of nursing activities write you accusing letters that are false is no way to spend your time at a place that insists they are specialized care nurses with your parent's best interests in mind. I cannot say that the nursing homes in MN are the place to be.....the blacks are from another country and are only here to get pd, go back to Africa for 1 month vacation and finally move back with a house bought and can live a better life than their own counterparts in their country of origin. There are no longer a sizeable number of whites working at Catholic Elder Care unless they have office jobs. A very sad place.

That it is a shameful, exhaustive, place to live in when the care and concern of the elderly is abused. It was this generation that saved our country from Communism and made it a place for migrants to come to work so they could have a better life as well and to see them be treated as they are by the black aides is horrible and it needs to stop - the aides need to be fired. Their attitude, their lack of concern for the elderly, and their lack of understanding of where they actually are is frightening.
I pray to God that I die in my sleep at my own home,

Sincerely,
Laurie Benson

That it happens all the time, everywhere, and very little or nothing is done about it. 71/2 years is too much to take when you know your parent is going through this and that they are afraid to say anything. Unless you are a highly concerned person for your elderly parent or family member many things will happen that you will need to bring to light and you will be ignored or told that they are looking into it and nothing will change.. YOU, will become the enemy!
May God bless all highly motivated, caring and concerned caregivers. It is a rough rough road.

I still see a lot of talk and very little action with our supposed informed leaders in government and now with the fact that I am 73 and am starting to develop my own physical limitations I will pray that I do not have to be in a nursing home - anywhere!

Thank you for this opportunity. I am mourning the loss of my mother. We buried her on Tuesday. She was 103 1/2.
Actually, this has helped me. I only wish I would have pressed harder to get the changes that needed to be made more open to the public. But I will still press forward and do what I can at the government level to see if our elderly can be taken care of in the manner that they should be - our turn is next - we need to continue the fight and not use premature death as a excuse to avoid what needs to be done.

Thank you for this opportunity

My son, Tom is also an advocate for the elderly and has pushed the limits of kindness for those who were less than adequate in caring for his grandmother. I will ask if he is interested in doing something for the elderly at this time. We are still pretty fresh in our loss. But, maybe it would be a good thing to concentrate on to assist us in our bereavement.

Thank you for this opportunity

Laurie Benson
612-816-7945