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The Hidden Threat of In-Home Theft: Protecting Your Belongings with SaveOr

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Nurse with Patient in home

Hiring an in-home nurse can provide invaluable care for loved ones, ensuring their health and comfort. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge a hidden risk: theft within the home. Protecting your belongings while maintaining trust and respect is a delicate balance. SaveOr offers a practical solution, helping families inventory their possessions and secure peace of mind during these transitions.


The Prevalence of In-Home Theft


In-home theft is just one of many forms of elder abuse which is a common occurrence today. According to the National Council on Aging, 1 in 10 Americans 60+ have been the victim of a form of elder abuse. This number increased to 1 in 5 during the most recent study during the COVID-19 pandemic.


Theft by in-home caregivers is more common than many realize. A study by the National Association for Home Care & Hospice (NAHC) reports that up to 15% of elder abuse cases involve theft or financial exploitation. Furthermore, a survey conducted by the National Center on Elder Abuse found that 15.4% of respondents experienced financial abuse by a caregiver during their lifetime.


Caregivers often have unrestricted access to valuables such as jewelry, cash, and heirlooms. Unfortunately, this can lead to temptations, particularly if inventory records or accountability measures are absent.


A Real-Life Horror Story


Consider the devastating case of a family in the Ohio. An elderly woman hired an in-home caregiver to assist with daily tasks as her health declined. Over several months, her family noticed small items—an antique brooch, a set of silver spoons, and even cash from a desk drawer—disappearing. By the time they realized the pattern, a significant portion of her jewelry collection had vanished.


The caregiver had been pawning the items, exploiting the family’s trust and lack of documentation. With no inventory or detailed records, proving ownership became a lengthy and stressful legal process. The family felt violated and betrayed, which could have been avoided with a tool like SaveOr. And because they had no record of what was theirs, the police were not able to acquire the items from the pawn shop as evidence.


How SaveOr Can Help


SaveOr is designed to help families organize and manage their personal property efficiently. With features that allow users to photograph items, document their stories, and assign ownership or recipients, SaveOr creates a transparent inventory system. This can discourage theft and facilitate easy detection if items go missing. Here’s how it works:

  1. Document Your Assets:

    1. Use SaveOr to create a detailed inventory of your belongings.

    2. Add photos, videos, and voice notes to establish a clear record of each item.

    3. Assign emotional and financial value to items for added context.

  2. Export Records:

    1. Generate a PDF report of your inventory for easy reference.

    2. Share it with trusted family members or legal advisors for oversight.

  3. Transparency with Caregivers:

    1. While sensitive conversations can be challenging, a documented inventory discourages mischief and clarifies that assets are tracked.

  4. Collaborative Oversight:

    1. Invite family members to review the inventory, adding another layer of accountability.


Building Trust with Accountability


Introducing SaveOr as part of the household routine is not about mistrust but about ensuring everyone’s interests are protected. For caregivers, it reinforces professionalism and safeguards them from unfounded accusations.


Final Thoughts


The vulnerability of loved ones during caregiving underscores the importance of proactive measures. SaveOr’s intuitive platform bridges the gap between trust and security, giving families a tool to protect their tangible personal property and focus on what matters most—care and connection. Use SaveOr today to ensure you are in control of your home and all of its contents. You do not want an heirloom that you always dreamed of having to go missing.


Author:

Matthew Scola

Founder of SaveOr, an estate planning platform focused on helping families through challenging life events. His insights come from interviewing and working with families and professionals to find a solution to the challenges of downsizing, estates, and estate management.

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