When elders lose their cents: financial abuse of the elderly.
Elder financial abuse is one of the most difficult types of elder abuse to diagnose given its lack of overt physical symptomatology. Unusual bank account activity, sudden changes of beneficiaries or agents in estate planning or advance directive documents, and worsening of medical conditions due to lack of follow-up or unfilled prescriptions are indicators of potential financial abuse. Federal laws are aimed at education and prevention (not treatment), whereas state laws are more comprehensive. Criminal and civil legal remedies exist to bring the abuser to justice, but the emotional trauma of financial exploitation lasts a long time.
Reed
Kimberly
K
Elder Law and Estate Planning, Reed Law Associates, P.C., 555 Skokie Boulevard, Suite 500, Northbrook, IL 60062, USA. Reedlaw408@aol.com
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002961:Civil Rights; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D004552:Elder Abuse / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000191:economics* / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D005382:Financing, Personal / Q000191:economics* / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence; D006281:Health Occupations / Q000193:education / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D019221:Mandatory Reporting