Couple 'grooming' lonely elderly people.

I find it a bit complexing, too.
Leave it to charity, or leave it to people who have treated you kindly, taken you out, cooked for you, in the absence of anyone else stepping up to help out.
It appears a pretty good arrangement, particularly in light of peoples views on going into care homes.

I'm not sure what is going on here PinkCosmos you say that the couple care for the elderly people who have no other relatives. They are not being unkind or taking any inheritance from relatives. Can you tell me what the problem is ?

I am watching much the same going on near me. It is suspicious in my mind if a person who is in contact with elderly and or disabled people and houses suddenly change hands without ever going to the housing market.
These are people employed by the NHS including nurses and other staff and others who deal with vulnerable people. If they dont get their own way life suddenly becomes difficult in various ways such as "accidentally" and persistently limiting the lives of others. Police dont seem to get it however it is elder abuse!
Time to take these situations seriously.

Awful that people working in a protective role might have targeted vulnerable people like this. There surely should be rules whereby people who work with the vulnerable are not allowed to benefit from the whole estates of those they care for. It used to be quite usual for people to leave a small bequest to people when it was felt they had done far more than could be reasonably expected but a whole estate??? I wouldn't think that would be usual without a bit of pressure. My dear old aunt, quite well off, left a small gift of £3000 for her 'dear friend and cleaner who had gone above and beyond in her care'. When my nephew turned up at her door with the cheque and a large bouquet she was absolutely overwhelmed. A truly genuine person who had no expectations whatsoever. I think that is the kind of thing which more often happens when there is no coercion involved.

I would certainly get some advice as to the best way of getting this looked into PinkCosmos.

Could you contact social services, or phone police help line as they may have a department that deals with this ... before any comments this could well end up as a crime preying on vunerable people ... contact the company that employs them ... even Google abuse for vulnerable people ... I am sure someone somewhere can help ... yes praying on the elderly & vulnerable for their own gain !!!

It sounds as though there’s enough circumstantial evidence to interest the police.

eazybee

Do you have firm evidence to support your suspicions, or is it just hearsay?
Be very careful when you accuse people.

Yes, especially if the people being allegedly targeted are not relatives.

You could just seek advice without being specific.

Do you have firm evidence to support your suspicions, or is it just hearsay?
Be very careful when you accuse people.

Yes, excellent advice.
They will have come across just this type of situation before, I'm sure, and will know the legalities of what may or may not be abuse.

lemsip

*The couple were wardens on a warden patrolled small estate.*
..................................................................................

I thought warden patrolled bungalows were council and Housing Association Properties!.....

I think that as your DH is talking about it with others it should be reported to see if there is any truth in it....

see who employs the Wardens who patrol and report your suspicions

Warden controlled housing is typically associated with private housing estates with a designated support person (warden) living on-site. This person is responsible for providing security for the estate and for seeing to emergency situations that occur amongst estate residents e.g. a fall, broken appliances in the home, other medical emergencies etc.

Sheltered accommodation is normally provided by private developers but residents can apply for sheltered housing via their local council. It is a broader term that can include warden controlled housing

www.carezee.co.uk/supportandinsights/what-is-warden-controlled-housing-everything-you-need-to-know-2022

Here is the link to the Elder Abuse line. www.thenationalcareline.org/AccessingHelp/ActionOnElderAbuse

Ring them up and ask for advice.

As PinkCosmos stated, the couple were wardens, but are not any more. I definitely smell a rat here! Not one, but two elderly people have changed their wills in this couple’s favour. I would not hesitate in reporting it to the Age UK organisation or the Safeguarding Team at Adult Social Care, as recommended above. It would also be a good idea to have a word with the senior warden where they were previously employed. Genuine people, offering kindness and friendship, would not wish to inherit from elderly people they’ve supported. Please let us know the outcome. ?

I have direct knowledge iof this my aunt had a carer when my uncle died this carer became my aunts ‘best friend’ / ‘daughter she didn’t have’ (no children) She did errands and stuff for my aunt but the only ‘taking out’ I heard of was taking her to pick her pension up !! The ‘lady’ I use the word sarcastically had a new car and a big family holiday When my aunt was taken to hospital in her last few weeks, my dad went to visit her and was refused permission to go to her bedside because he was told he wasn’t her next of kin on looking into things we found that this carer had put herself down as next of kin and when my auntie died there was nothing left in her bank After my uncle died earlier he had left my auntie about £15,000 it was all gone as was many things from her flat …she had had the keys
We went to a police/ solicitor, my dad was heartbroken, but they assured us there was nothing we could do because she was of sound mind and had obviously wanted to give this money to her carer
We had to let it go

I would definitely raise it with Social services...If the couple have nothing to hide they won't have to worry.

I'm sure most of us can think of friendships or situations that appear to show a person being used.
Free lifts, babysitting, and so on.

This needs to be reported to the "Safeguarding Team at Adult Social Care" and possibly the Police? Although it sounds as though they are helping the persons involved during their lifetime, taking them out and about etc, they have obviously managed to get them to change their wills, which is financial abuse, and that's just awful.

Keep us posted!

Maybe they are just being kind to the elderly people concerned and as they have no relatives should the Government inherit their property or should it go to those showing them kindness and improving their lives?

The couple were wardens on a warden patrolled small estate.
..................................................................................

I thought warden patrolled bungalows were council and Housing Association Properties!.....

I think that as your DH is talking about it with others it should be reported to see if there is any truth in it....

see who employs the Wardens who patrol and report your suspicions

Sorry I am not clear if they are still employed as wardens? If they are there will surely be rules about 'gifts'. I was involved in a charity many years ago where a member of staff was sacked because of such behaviour.

nanna8

Wouldn’t that class as elder abuse? They are right onto that here at the moment. If it was here I would be telling the police but I guess things are different in different countries.

I think so nanna8

Here's a link to Age UK with advice
www.ageuk.org.uk/information-advice/health-wellbeing/relationships-family/protection-from-abuse

I’ve seen it, makes my skin crawl. However I’ve also seen very lonely older people be very happy to have new friends who spend a lot of time and effort when others can no longer be bothered. It does make you wonder whether this is abuse or actually two fingers to relatives who no longer showed interest.
This is the benefit of living in a smaller community.

Wouldn’t that class as elder abuse? They are right onto that here at the moment. If it was here I would be telling the police but I guess things are different in different countries.

If they have no relatives to leave their estate to then I don't see the problem unless you have witnessed the people being co-erced into leaving them their property. Who should they leave it to people who have helped then when needed or a Cat's Home (other animal charities are available)

I have seen this done three times - one man who did it twice (and then proceeded to try to befriend a third person who told him where to go) and a couple who did it once. In each case an elderly widowed property owner without close family befriended, who left them their property. I wasn’t directly involved but know that the couple took their ‘friend’ to a solicitor to make a new will. Would the couple OP mentions be so friendly towards someone renting a property and living on benefits? I would report them to the police in her position, without hesitation.