Elder abuse can take a wide variety of forms, but we think the worst of the worst is caused by unscrupulous conservators or adult guardians appointed by a court to care for seniors who are no longer able to care for themselves. And though you may not want to believe such a thing could happen, you need to know that without the right planning in place, even your loved ones in your own family who are seniors could be at risk.
In fact, there are currently 1.5 million American adults under conservatorship (or adult guardianship, depending on the state), with an estimated 85% of them over age 65. All total, these conservators control nearly $273 billion in assets. And a 2010 report by the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found hundreds of cases where conservators were involved in the abuse, exploitation, and neglect of seniors placed under their supervision.
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