What is the facility's duty to protect residents from exploitation and fraud?

• A. Monitor for signs of exploitation and fraud, report concerns, and educate residents on preventing scams.
• B. Ignore red flags.
• C. Only report to police.
• D. Leave it to residents to handle.

Answer: (A)

The main idea is that facilities have a proactive duty to safeguard residents from exploitation and fraud by combining ongoing monitoring, timely reporting, and resident education. By watching for signs of abuse or scams, staff can catch problems early and intervene before harm occurs. Reporting concerns to the right authorities—such as administration, adult protective services, or law enforcement as appropriate—ensures the right actions are taken and accountability is established. Educating residents about common scams and how to prevent them helps protect their money and autonomy, empowering them to participate in their own safety.

This approach is broader and more protective than options that ignore red flags, restrict action to policing alone, or place the burden entirely on residents. Ignoring warning signs leaves residents vulnerable; relying only on police response may miss opportunities to prevent harm; and leaving protection to residents ignores the facility’s responsibility to provide safe, secure environments and to implement ongoing safeguards.