Dear Harry: My mother is in the "long-term-care" section of a retirement community. I just returned from a vacation and found that someone had forged her signature on a check for $2,120 made to some unknown person who cashed it in a local bank. I contacted mother's bank, and they agreed that the signature didn't remotely resemble my mother's. They have credited her account already. They said that such forgeries are usually for round amounts, and that the amount on her check was a sign of someone who has done this before. My mother rarely needs money, and I pay most of her bills under a power of attorney. Since this was obviously the work of one of the employees, should I remove her checkbook and few other valuables? Should I seek another facility? It will be hard to convince her, but the forgery has triggered a strong emotional response.

What Harry says: Caring for our elderly has become a huge business in recent years. Is it an ideal situation for them? In many cases, yes. For many, home care is just too difficult or too expensive. For others, it becomes a situation of "I don't want to be a burden on my children," or no one is at home to help. This is why we have so many nursing homes.

Unfortunately, the aides are not always trustworthy or kind or able. She has run into a case of a thief being hired in some capacity. It's hard to deprive your mother of some of her belongings, particularly those with strong emotional ties, but I think you almost have to. *

Harry urges all his readers to give blood: Contact the American Red Cross at 800-GIVE LIFE.