Senior care experts urge proper vetting following attempted robbery by a former caregiver
As we reported Wednesday, two suspects are in custody and two victims are recovering after an attempted armed home invasion robbery. The thieves assaulted an elderly Palm Springs woman and her caregiver, and police revealed one of the suspects was her former caregiver.
Investigators said Indio residents Juan Beltran-Flores, 22, and Itati Velador-Ceja, 22, entered the woman’s home at around 1:45 a.m. and allegedly assaulted the two people. Police say the pair restrained the victims and ransacked the residence.
Watch: Palm Springs home invasion suspects targeted and assaulted elderly woman, caregiver
Police quietly surrounded the home and arrested the pair when after they ran out the back door.
Senior care professionals warn of possible red flags when choosing a caretaker for you or a loved one.
“Whenever they start with a story that really pulls at the heartstrings and ask for money that’s a bad sign,” said Maureen Forman, executive director of JFS & Senior Care of the Desert. “A lot of times seniors get swept away with someone who is so warm and so friendly because they’re lonely and so they’re really happy when someone comes in and is very touchy and very warm.”
Forman says the first step you can take to ensure proper senior care happens when you’re hiring.
“You want to have some references,” she said. “You wanna hopefully interview with other people in the room to get some other feedback, even if it’s a neighbor or a friend.”
Click here to go check if your caretaker is in the California Home Aide Registry. This resource checks criminal history.
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