Family of 93-Year-Old Pearl Harbor Veteran Shocked by Caregiver Abuse Charges

[Sohei]

It doesn't get much worse than this. 93-year-old warrior found clutching a picture of his ship while sitting in his own home next to rat feces. The article says it all.

Family of 93-Year-Old Pearl Harbor Veteran Shocked by Caregiver Abuse Charges
Published February 02, 2011 | FoxNews.com

Relatives of a Pearl Harbor veteran say they are shocked at the alleged abuse suffered by their 93-year-old father, who was found disheveled and dehydrated and living in a rat-infested home at the hands of his trusted caregiver.

Deputies with the San Diego County Sheriff's Department said they found Arnold Bauer living in squalor last week at his home near El Cajon, Calif., and charged his caregiver, 63-year-old Milagros Angeles, with elder abuse.

Authorities said they found Bauer -- who has prostate cancer and dementia -- sitting next to rotting garbage and rat feces while clutching a framed photo of the ship he was serving on the day of Pearl Harbor, Fox5SanDiego.com reports.

Angeles has been charged with four felony counts of elder abuse, forgery, theft and false imprisonment. Prosecutors allege that Angeles wrote checks to herself from Bauer's account and sent the money to her native Philippines.

Angeles has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Bauer's family said Monday that they had no knowledge of the alleged abuse suffered by their father.

"We are deeply shocked and concerned about the care our father has been receiving," Bauer's daughter, Stephanie Le Chevalier, said in a statement. "We thought he was in good hands and receiving good care."

"I was in touch with the caregiver usually about once a month, and everything seemed fine with my father. In fact, she said his mental state was improving. The caregiver discussed with me that she was preparing nutritious meals to make sure he stayed healthy," said Le Chevalier.

Angeles, who had been Bauer's caregiver for three years, is due in court next week. She remains in jail on $1 million bail, according to the station.

Bauer has been taken to the Veterans Affairs hospital in La Jolla, Calif. His daughter said the family is working with a Veterans Affairs social worker to "make sure he gets good care after discharge from the medical center."

[Pete]

Originally Posted by The Sheepdog

"........................."I was in touch with the caregiver usually about once a month, and everything seemed fine with my father...................."

Well, that about sums it up in reguards to the family.

Wonder what the home is worth and I'll bet the kids know.

Pete

And before anyone jumps on me - my family has walked that route with more than one elderly member. In each case they were moved to a family home where they were taken care of until they had to go to a rest home. One way trip for all of them. Their assests were liquidated to pay for care and then it came out of pocket.

And you better keep a close eye on the rest home.

[Snaquebite]

Originally Posted by Pete

Well, that about sums it up in reguards to the family.

Wonder what the home is worth and I'll bet the kids know.

Pete

And before anyone jumps on me - my family has walked that route with more than one elderly member. In each case they were moved to a family home where they were taken care of until they had to go to a rest home. One way trip for all of them. Their assests were liquidated to pay for care and then it came out of pocket.

And you better keep a close eye on the rest home.

I agree. I'll bet they also know how much they can sue for with chances of winning especially if this individual worked for a larger company and was not an independant caregiver.

[Pete]

Originally Posted by Snaquebite

I agree. I'll bet they also know how much they can sue for with chances of winning especially if this individual worked for a larger company and was not an independant caregiver.

Oh, I'll bet an Indy. The family went the cheap, easy route hoping for a little more cash at the end "But Dad would be more comfortable in his own home" - "and a lot less bother to us".

Of course you'll get the "You don't know the family's status" crowd but it boils down to "It's your dad."

[Susa]

The "caregiver" stole thousands from him. It was the man's bank that alerted authorities. When she was arrested she had something like 8 grand literally on her (in pockets and in a money belt). The family wasn't paying any attention to this poor man. It sickens me.

[afchic]

As someone who has elderly in-laws and aging parents this breaks my heart. We talk to my husband's parents a couple times a week as they are both in their late eighties. Actually had the conversation with them last month that it may be getting time for them to move in with either us or their other son.

I talk to mine almost every day. My parents had enough forethought to purchase insurance that will cover assisted living. But you can bet one of the four of us will be there every week to make sure they are ok.

We have told both sets of parents they better spend it now because they can't take it with them and that includes good reliable care when they need it.

[Saturation]

Originally Posted by afchic

My parents had enough forethought to purchase insurance that will cover assisted living.

Please keep in mind that for combat era Veterans the VBA will kick in money for an assisted living facility and for Veterans 30% SC or higher will kick in for the spouse.

It won't cover the entire cost and there are some income limits but it can definately help move someone from a low level facility to a good facility.

[Gypsy]

Originally Posted by Pete

And you better keep a close eye on the rest home.

You got that right. When my gram had to go into a home, between my aunt and all my cousins we popped in at various times EVERY day. (we each took a day). Those folks were always on their toes when it came to grammie, but my heart broke every time I walked in there for all those folks who never had a family visit.

I'd rather die than go into one of those places.

[greenberetTFS]

Originally Posted by Gypsy

You got that right. I'd rather die than go into one of those places.

You ABSOLUTELY got that right..........

Big Teddy

[alright4u]

Originally Posted by Pete

Well, that about sums it up in reguards to the family.

Wonder what the home is worth and I'll bet the kids know.

Pete

And before anyone jumps on me - my family has walked that route with more than one elderly member. In each case they were moved to a family home where they were taken care of until they had to go to a rest home. One way trip for all of them. Their assests were liquidated to pay for care and then it came out of pocket.

And you better keep a close eye on the rest home.

I agree with you. Where is the damn duaghter? Too busy I bet.

[Paslode]

The Rehab facility the VA sent my Dad to was a nice, clean place. But once it was determined it was going to be a long term stay they wheeled him down the hall and through the doors to the home. It was quite a contrast to the Rehab side.

The VA paid for it all, but you there was always something going on. Whether it be the facilities Chief trying to get the Old man to sign over his Social Security and VA Benefits, having issues with certain Staff Members, it was always something.
Someone need to be there everyday and I had no siblings...and Dad would have no part of moving elsewhere...fortunately Dad still had his wits and there was a Nurse who would call when something was up. She later quit.

How bad can it be....I am driving around one afternoon, my cell phone rings, I answer and some man says this is Joe Blow from Amos and Sons Funeral Home and we need to know what to do with your Dad?

Amos and Son's is a black funeral home...Dad would haunt me if he went there....let me call you back. I call my Mom and ask her to check on her Ex with the Nursing Home....she calls back and confirms he died earlier in the day.

The Nursing Home never called me!

[dr. mabuse]

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