title: Caregivers as money managers for adults with severe mental illness: how treatment providers can help.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To review the prevalence, benefits, and problems associated with families who, either informally or formally as representative payees, manage money for adults with severe mental illness.
  
  
  METHODS
  Based on empirical research and clinical cases, suggestions are offered for minimizing downsides and capitalizing upon benefits of family money management.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The findings and case vignettes demonstrate four specific strategies for treatment providers: facilitating collaboration, increasing knowledge about disability funds, improving money-management skills, and developing plans for financial decision-making.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By following these recommendations and becoming aware of whether their clients had family money managers, clinicians can promote independent functioning and family support for a substantial number of people with severe mental illness.
authors: Forensic Psychiatry Program and Clinic, UNC-Chapel Hill School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Chapel Hill, NC 27599, USA. eric.elbogen@unc.edu
authors: Eric B
authors: EB
authors: Elbogen
authors: Christine
authors: C
authors: Wilder
authors: Marvin S
authors: MS
authors: Swartz
authors: Jeffrey W
authors: JW
authors: Swanson
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D032721:Adult Children / Q000523:psychology*; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D004467:Economics; D054541:Family Conflict / Q000523:psychology*; D005196:Family Therapy; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000191:economics / Q000523:psychology / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D010348:Patient Care Team; D010350:Patient Credit and Collection; D026684:Personal Autonomy; D012943:Social Security / Q000191:economics