Reader suspicious of caregiver

Dear Annie: “Pete” was a friend of mine. He was 20 years older than I and died at the age of 87. He worked hard his entire life and retired with his wife, and they lived in a small but nice house in Palm Springs. They didn’t spend much money and had just enough for a comfortable retirement. Their main source of wealth was their house, which was valued at $600,000, and they owned it free and clear.

I live in Los Angeles, a little more than 100 miles from Palm Springs, and we kept in touch by phone at least once a week. I would visit him in person three or four times a year. The point is that I did not keep track of Pete day to day.

You can imagine my surprise when one day I woke up to find three voice messages from him saying that I must fire his new caregiver, “George.” I called Pete back but could not reach him. I found out later that he had been taken to the hospital and had died several hours later, alone in the hospital room with George. I was immediately suspicious because Pete had been in excellent health, but I could prove nothing. The hospital said he died of “heart failure,” and considering his advanced age, that was that.

Pete left me various personal items in his will, and when I went to his house to retrieve them, I was shocked to discover that George had moved into his bedroom. George is younger than I am, but he was suddenly having an affair with Pete’s widow! I was too disgusted to comment.

They never had children, so I told my wife that I wouldn’t be surprised to hear that she died and George inherited the house. Well, that is exactly what happened, within six months of Pete’s death.

I am writing to you to warn your readers about what can happen to the elderly. I wish I had done more, though I’m not sure what I could do from afar. Elder abuse is becoming a major problem in our country, and the consequences can be tragic. Heartbroken for My Elderly

Friend

Dear Heartbroken: What a terrifying story. Thank you for sharing it.

Seniors suffering abuse — and anyone who suspects that an elderly loved one is suffering abuse — I implore you to call Adult Protective Services’ hotline (800-222-8000) or local law enforcement. For general information about elder abuse, its different forms and symptoms, visit the National Institute on Aging’s elder abuse page, at https://www.nia.nih.gov/health/elder-abuse.

Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com.