After a century of living, one might think Lois Risse would take it easy, but they would be wrong. The 101-year-old tends to her garden up to three hours a day, she said.
The hard work paid off. She had a beautiful home in Yucaipa and more than $100,000 in the bank.
But in her old age, Lois said, a family friend took advantage of her.
"All I know is he double-crossed me," Risse said.
In 1982, the same year her husband died, Risse said a man named Glen Neff posed as a caretaker.
"This is a very, very common, unfortunate experience," said conservator Melodie Scott, referring to a trend of elder abuse.
A judge appointed Scott to manage Risse's finances last year, when the supposed caretaker successfully put Risse's home in his name. He had a handwritten deed that claims he paid for the property.
"He cannot come up with one receipt," Scott said.
The deed is a forgery, Risse said. What's more, bank records suggest the caretaker also took off with $50,000.
"I think he's a crook," Risse said. "He took everything I had. Every dime. My bank accounts, everything."
A few years ago, Scott said another man posing as a caretaker also took advantage of Risse.
"Take her to the bank," Scott said, "and withdraw $300 to $500 a day."
Neither man could be reached for comment Tuesday. Scott has sued Glen Neff and court cases are pending.