Is this elder abuse?

[madamesilverspurs]

Mom lives in an assisted living facility. The residents pay rent on a sliding scale, as many have only their Social Security checks to rely on. Last year the residents started a fund to pay for some extras (a computer for their community room, VCR, coffee room supplies, movies, picnic supplies, etc.); they have done bake sales and sold quilts and craft items to raise money for this fund. The residents have done all the work and contributed their time and effort and products for this fund. Now the owners of the facility say the money belongs to the corporation and that it will be used for maintenance.

Have Mom and her neighbors been mugged by their landlord?

[EFerrari]

1. Yes, they have. n/t

[Political Tiger]

2. Sounds like they need a lawyer n/t

[Dogmudgeon]

3. Get. Lawyer. Now.

Businesspeople don't respect their clients. It takes a lawyer to get their attention.

--p!

[sandnsea]

4. Wow.

Depending on state laws, it may well be. I don't know why I am continually stunned at the greed of people.

On Edit:

Most states have an Elder Ombudsman Office that is there to specifically address this kind of thing. Start there. Look for it at your state web site.

[Mari333]

5. lawyer!!!! asap. the bastards. n/t

[qb]

6. This would be a fascinating human interest feature on the news...

I suggest you call your local TV stations.

[mrreowwr_kittty]

9. You beat me to it! Great minds and all. nt

[mrreowwr_kittty]

7. The landlord may have legal grounds to keep the money

It's generally stipulated in the contracts of these places that all or some portion of any income goes to the facility. OTOH, it's morally an outrage and I'm sure if you called your local TV news stations and the papers you might be able to publicly shame the landlord into doing the right thing.

[Xithras]

20. Depends on the contract.

My wifes grandfather lived in a place like that. The facility received $X from the state for his care, and 50% of his income up to $X could also be claimed by the facility.

I don't know that it would apply here though. This money wasn't income, it was personal cash they'd put towards the common good. If the facility had a right to claim their SS money, they wouldn't have had the cash to begin with.

[Control-Z]

49. Exactly what I was about to say

Just because you can doesn't men you should. Get the news stations involved. If they aren't shamed they'll at least get the bad publicity - not good for business.

[mikita]

8. even at their lowest,

my Mom's assisted living facility never sunk that low.... This is truly beyond the pale.

I would get this info out to a local TV station too. Please don't let it die!

[ogneopasno]

10. No, but it sounds criminal. Call the newspaper and TV stations, too.

[Boomerang Diddle]

13. Yeah, I would suggest they call all the local TV stations

...they love stories like this.

[Warpy]

11. Yes,the corporation has no right to voluntary contributions

for a stated purpose.

Tell them to call Legal Aid. This sort of thing is right up their alley and should take no more than a couple of nasty letters to sort out.

[Libertyfirst]

12. My experience (and I have a lot) with such facilities: just say the word "lawyer." "consumer

protection," or "Senior Advocate." That tends to adjust their thinking.

[jwirr]

14. That is nonsense. The seniors need to contact legal aides for help

to fight this. I used to live in a high rise section 8 apartment and we did the same thing. Our owner was delighted that we were improving the atmosphere of the apartment building. Where is this place located? Just curious.

[sam sarrha]

15. LARCENY.. theft plain and simple.. link>>

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Larceny
In the United States, larceny is a common law crime involving theft. Under the common law, larceny is the trespassory taking (caption) and carrying away (asportation, removal) of the tangible personal property of another with the intent to deprive him or her of it permanently. In English law, the common law offense was codified into the Larceny Act 1916. In turn, the terminology and substance was converted into theft by the Theft Act 1968.

we could start a petition.. contact CNN, get Anderson Cooper out there

[MADem]

16. Yes, they have. Hope a pro-bono lawyer will help them. NT

[madamesilverspurs]

17. Please kick to help get this out there.

If such corporations are doing this at one facility, you can be sure they'll do it where your folks live.

[Libertyfirst]

18. I am so angry that this happened. Please let us know what happens. If necessary I will help pay for

a lawyer. The people trying to pull this are the scum of the earth.

[rvablue]

19. Get on the horn immediately to your local TV station and newspaper

you will have reporters lined up around the block salivating over this story.

Do it today!

[BrklynLiberal]

21. Absolutely. Here are some hits when I googled Elder Law.

These folks need some representation!!!!

http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=elder+law+attorneys&aq=0&oq=elder+law

[Greyhound]

22. It certainly sounds like it, but after 30 years or legalized robbery, who knows? Where is this? n/t

[madamesilverspurs]

24. Washington state.

Can't be more specific than that while we're still examining possible ramifications for the tenants. The amount in question is about $500, but it was entirely generated by the tenants with no investment by the corporation.

[Greyhound]

44. It is probably illegal there, WA is pretty good in these types of cases. Good luck to you,

and please let us know what you learn.

[Deep13]

23. Well, it's theft.

Complain to the district attorney.

[lumberjack_jeff]

50. I would suggest sending a complaint to the Attorney General and DSHS.

http://www.atg.wa.gov/

[damntexdem]

25. No, it sounds like elder fraud and abuse.

How was the fund set up, anyway?

[madamesilverspurs]

26. Don't have those details.

I live in another state, so I'm being kept apprised by a family member who lives closer to the situation. This just happened, and I'm not sure that the residents know, yet. We got the word from a concerned employee at the facility.

[foxfeet]

27. Three words: State Attorney General

In Washington State, they take elder abuse seriously, as should this facility when you mention those three words. Here's a link.

http://www.atg.wa.gov/

[Inkyfuzzbottom]

29. Bingo

it won't cost them a dime...

[Vinca]

28. How could anyone do something so rotten to the elderly?

You've gotten good advice from everyone else, so my 2 cents amounts to suggesting you not be shy in telling us the name of the facility and owners involved.

[busybl]

30. man that's rude

I was hoping it was WA. GET JESSE!!! Seattle channel 4.

[busybl]

31. man that's rude

I was hoping it was WA. GET JESSE!!! Seattle channel 4.

[foxfeet]

35. Nope. Channel 5, KING-TV (NBC).

Unless your cable is different.:hi:

[busybl]

36. oh oops

you're right. He's good at that stuff.

[Cleita]

32. This is why these facilities need to be run on a non-profit basis.

It keeps greedy owners out of the business. Anyway, aren't the computer and other supplies going to be used in the home anyway? What's their beef?

[Fire1]

33. Oh, hell no! Get a lawyer. Class Action. I know attorneys who

would take that, pro bono!

[madamesilverspurs]

37. Any chance those lawyers are in Washington?

[Fire1]

38. No, but any high profile atty would love to take this on to

continue 'making a name' for himself and/or his firm. News media, another good idea.

[Cary]

34. Try the State's Attorney, or District Attorney (or whatever title your prosecutors have)

I would certainly think this is a problem, profiting off of the residents.

[pipi_k]

39. No legal experience, but

I do agree with others who said that those elders should get themselves a lawyer AND report this to the local news station AND the local newspaper.

Raise as big of a stink as they can.

It just pisses me off to no end when dirty bastards like that corporation think they can take advantage of the elderly, whether they're legally entitled to the proceeds or not. Leave the old people alone, for crissakes!!!!!

[underseasurveyor]

40. There's a special place in hell for people like that.

The unmitigated gall of some people never ceases to astound me.

[lonestarnot]

41. Damn! I hate hearing shit like this!

Call a damn lawyer!

[madamesilverspurs]

42. Thanks for all the great comments and advice, please don't stop!

I'm working on finding out the names of the corporate officers, thinking they'd make great candidates for KO's "Worst Person."

[Pacifist Patriot]

45. I don't know what I can say that hasn't already been said, but...

from the information you've given it sounds patently illegal and astoundingly greedy.

[emilyg]

43. Yes. Contact a lawyer.

[Avalux]

46. Get an attorney and call the local media.

Landlord is definitely taking advantage of the residents unless there is a stipulation in the lease contracts. I doubt there is.

[jillan]

47. Write an editorial in the local paper...call the local news - expose that nursing home.

Yes, they've been mugged.

[MadMaddie]

48. It's theft! Absolutely get a lawyer!