The New Elder Abuse

By Kathleen Edmunds MD

We've surely arrived at an age where cashing in on people's innocence and naivety has been a source of livelihood for some people. Such that they're willing to consume a standup man, ripping him apart from all the hard-earned living he earned for his children. The story encapsulates the life of the author's foremost support; a determined man, w

• Language: English
• Publisher: Self Publisher
• Release date: Nov 20, 2023
• ISBN: 9798869015686

Book preview

The New Elder Abuse

Kathleen Edmunds, MD

Copyright © 2023

All RightsReserved

Dedication

This is for my loving husband, who always welcomed my family, especially my dad, despite how challenging it is with him, considering his mental and physical state.

For my sister Cynthia Lynch, who stood with me shoulder-to-shoulder in every important decision I made about dad. I can’t admire her enough and show how proud I am of her for remaining close to our dad.

Lastly, it’s for my father- who became an apparent reason for giving me the platform to live an exciting childhood. His efforts in making this manuscript possible will always be recognized, and his constant push for me to succeed be praised.

Acknowledgment

My sister Cindy, for reviewing every chapter each step of the way.

My book club for easily agreeing to review and give detailed criticism. Thank you, Dr. Linda Green.

Storypoint, who took over Manorhouse, bringing fresh air into it with Linda Womack, Tracey Seguin, and Tracy Cook. They made all my days and weekends brighter.

Lori Maze for always being available to help me with Dad.

Contents

Dedication

Acknowledgment

About the Author

Preface

Chapter 1:Dad

Chapter 2:July 2018

Chapter 3 My Daughter’s Wedding

Chapter 4:January 27, 2019

Chapter 5:Patriot’s Colony

Chapter 6:Credit Card Companies

Chapter 7:The Water Bill

Chapter 8:My Siblings

Chapter 9:Mercedez Benz

Chapter 10:His Move to Knoxville

Chapter 11:The Pandemic

Chapter 12:Dreams and Challenges

Chapter 13:Troubles of COVID-19

Chapter 14:Stress

Chapter 15:Recommendations for the Elderly

About the Author

Kathleen Edmunds is a recognized Obstetrics and Gynecological veteran who graduated from the University of Virginia School of Medicine in 1988. She has the distinction of obtaining three distinct patents to her name: 1, for the copper contraceptive shield and 2 for the menstrual shield. She also wrote a cookbook, ‘Destination Deserts, ’ dedicated to her children while they were attending college. Kathleen is happily married to a gastroenterologist, with whom she supports her family.

Preface

This is the refuge my dad managed that the NASA space center sits on. We lived there for four years in the '70s while all the Apollo’s were taking off. My father took multiple astronauts, including John Glenn, duck hunting on the refuge. He also captured an alligator that was preventing President Nixon from visiting. My best memory was Dad taking my whole second-grade class on airboats through the Everglades. In this picture, the little girl is actually my little sister Cindy.

As Internet usage spirals out of control, the number of patients with dementia is rising in the United States, especially among those at risk of hereditary diseases, isolation, and those who have had COVID-19. This story is about how ruthless marketing companies, car companies, water companies, and complicated credit card companies are taking advantage of those with dementia.

There are five main types of dementia: Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, Lewy body dementia, frontotemporal dementia, and mixed dementia.  Alzheimer’s disease is the most common form of dementia, accounting for 60-70% of cases in the US. Dementia is currently the seventh leading cause of death.  There are seven stages of dementia: 1) no cognitive impairment, 2) very mild cognitive decline, 3) mild cognitive decline, 4) moderate cognitive decline, 5) moderately severe cognitive decline, 6) severe cognitive decline, and 7) very severe cognitive decline. Stage (4) lasts two years, stage (5) lasts a year and a half, stage (6) lasts 2.5 years, and stage ( 7) lasts 1.5 to 2.5 years. 

Over 6 million people in the US have some stage of dementia. The risk factors are heart disease, stroke, obesity, high blood pressure, isolation, and now covid.  A new study has just come out, finding that dementia is more likely to occur within a year of having COVID-19, especially with the above risk factors.

Now, we enter the Internet era, where cell phones, apple watches, AI, and unscrupulous people have created a mess. I heard that 84% of teenagers have a smartphone. My father was in his 60s when he got his first cell phone. Now, we can call, text, check emails, facetime, get continuous updates, and pay for things just with our smartphones. That’s confusing for most 50-year-olds I know; just think about the 6 million in the throes of dementia. My father was getting ten calls a day from people asking for donations. He is a nice guy and gave his credit card info to all of them. Not to mention the thousands of emails we all get every day that are getting really hard to tell whether they are legitimate.

I hope after reading this, you can identify the signs of dementia early and take action immediately. Have a heart-to-heart with your parents and see how they are paying the bills and taking care of their homes and their finances. Make sure their finances are an open book. And please take their car away before they hurt someone - DMV will not do it for you. 

Chapter 1

Dad

Family is not an important thing. It’s everything,

-Michael J. Fox

This is the first refuge my dad managed. It’s in New York, and I am the baby in the picture. I was about six months old in 1963.

Dad, what's happening? Your checking account is $10,000 overdrawn, I said, concerned, as we sat in his comfortable Williamsburg, VA, living room. My dad, a strong 86-year-old, was facing unexpected challenges. His financial and cognitive situation was like a complicated puzzle with missing pieces yet to be found.

It was January 2019, and the cold winter mirrored my growing worry. In three days, I would uncover a $200,000 debt burdening my father. Living in Knoxville, Tennessee, I often traveled to visit him. Despite the distance, our bond grew stronger through numerous heartfelt discussions.

Going back to July 2018, during one of my regular visits. His checking account appeared normal; however, a closer examination of his credit card balances showed a troubling trend—balances between $2,000 and $6,000 strained his finances.

While investigating his financial matters, I found thousands of unused credit card points—untapped assets ready to be claimed. As my dad's financial detective, I turned these points into nearly $10,000 in cash—enough to clear all but one remaining $6,000 bill from Discover.

Gently guiding him from the appeal of credit cards, I saw his reluctance to let go of old habits. The choice to sell his barely used boat to pay off the Discover debt was a bittersweet event for us. Slowly, our journey brought us closer together - our hearts and minds in tune with love and understanding.

If only I knew