Berkshire Bank Samantha Turk (Branch Supervisor) Finance/ElderAbuse Manchester Center Vermont

Following a fall resulting in a fracture, my (90) year old mother required placement in a nursing/rehab facility. Upon review of her condition, it was obvious that the care she was (not) receiving from her local (Manchester Center, Vermont) family, was that of simple neglect and avoidance. We found her to be malnurshied and in emotional crisis, which brought us to the decision to relocate her closer to our home in Massachusetts where we could better attend to her physical and emotional needs.

Since the need for long term assisted living was an obvious need, we began the process of arranging for such. In doing so, financial arrangements were going to be necessary. Since her condition would not allow her to travel to or make telephone connection with her bank (Berkshire Bank), we were forsed to resort to gaining power of attorney for her financial interests. Having done so, and after having provided the bank with such documentation, they fought us as we tryed to work with them in our attempt to prepare and provide the required Mediciare financial accountings they required. They repeatedly refused to provide us with account balances and documentation and denied having received repord POA documents even after they had signed  the certified mail receipts.

After several attempts to gain the necessary account information, they finally yeilded and sent statements of the accounts that they had previousley denied. Finally, once those statements were received, they notified this elderly, long term banking customer, that they were now debiting her meager checking account at a rate of $25.00 per hour for their time.

I find this practice to be shameful and a glowing example of exploytation and of elder abuse. To branch supervisor Samantha Turk, and to all assoicated with this organizational practice, I say Shame On You All!

May your elder years be met with the same treatment as you choose to bring down upon others now!