Elder Abuse: Financial Exploitation

My grandmother passed away several years ago at the age of 81. She suffered from moderate dementia and other health problems, but was able to stay in her own home for most of her life. She was placed in a nursing home only at the end, when the dementia became so bad that she could not care for herself. She was very determined to live in the home my grandfather had built for her when they were married, and the family honored that desire for as long as possible. My oldest uncle and his wife moved into the house across the street about 15 years prior to her death. My mother and her siblings were glad that my uncle was there to help out. They each helped out during vacations, summers, and weekends. However, the family began to notice that my uncle and his wife had begun to take advantage of my grandmother in more ways than one. For example, when my uncle’s wife would go to buy groceries, she would take my grandmother’s car but not fill up the gas tank, then buy groceries for themselves with my grandmother’s money. They would “borrow” my grandfather’s tools and “forget” to return them. My grandmother had a penchant for putting money in her dresser drawer, and it would disappear. My uncle’s wife helped herself to anything in my grandmother’s house that she wanted. Larger amounts of money began to disappear from her checking account. When my mother and her other siblings caught on, they discovered that there was a history of irregular withdrawals, unexplained checks, etc. The local authorities were not a lot of help in the matter, because they did not consider financial exploitation a form of elder abuse. In addition, my grandmother refused to press charges against my uncle and his wife. Friends and family were soon divided down the middle over the issue, taking sides and placing blame. Before anything was decided, my grandmother passed away. In the years since my grandmother died, there are still hard feelings among family members. Nothing ever got resolved to anyone’s satisfaction.

What Is Elder Abuse?

Elder abuse comes in many forms. It can be physical, emotional or sexual. It can be in the form of neglect or abandonment, or through financial exploitation. One surprising fact is that elder abuse actually occurs more in private homes than in nursing homes, and it is usually subtle. A family member such as a spouse or adult child most often perpetrates elder abuse. Financial exploitation can be a very insidious form of abuse in that it can pass unnoticed for a long time and doesn’t have any overt signs like physical abuse.

What Is Financial Exploitation?

Financial abuse covers a wide range of behaviors. According to the legal definitions of financial exploitation of the elderly, some signs of possible financial exploitation include:

-Sudden changes in the elder’s bank account
-Inclusion of additional names on the bank account
-Unauthorized ATM withdrawals
-Abrupt changes in wills or other financial/legal documents
-Disappearance of large or expensive personal possessions:
-Substandard care
-Unpaid bills even though the elder has plenty of money in their account
-Forged signatures on suspect financial transactions or titles
-Appearance of relatives that were previously not involved in the elder’s care who
suddenly claim rights to the elder’s money, possessions or interests
-Unexplained transfers of assets
-Denying the elder access to their own bank account or other funds
-The purchase of expensive items without the consent of the elder
-Improper use of guardianship or power of attorney
-Using the property or possession of the elder without their knowledge
-Scams such as telemarketing or direct mail fraud

Why Does this Type of Elder Abuse Occur?

Many times, the caregiver feels a sense of entitlement to the money or possessions of the elderly person they are caring for. They mistakenly think that since they are caring for this person, they deserve something in return above and beyond necessary compensation for expenses incurred in the process of caring for another person.

We also have some societal norms that aid in the commission of elder abuse. Our society does not have the same respect for the elder members of the community that is so prevalent in other societies. There are societies that revere the wisdom that comes with age, and treat their elderly members with respect for having lived long enough to gain such wisdom.

Another societal more that interferes with the detection of elder abuse is the idea that what goes on in someone’s home is private. This often isolates the abused person and makes it very hard for outsiders to intervene. Elder abuse is simply not as noticeable. As a society, we have become alert for signs of child abuse in our community, but elder abuse often goes unnoticed and unreported. While families are entitled to their privacy, those that abuse should not be allowed to continue. Family dynamics can cause a lot of confusion when it comes to situations of abuse.

What Can Be Done To Prevent Elder Abuse?

Abuse allegations of any kind can be a touchy situation for any family. However, if abuse is suspected, it should be reported. Nearly all states have elder abuse laws and both law enforcement personnel and family services personnel have become much more educated about the subject of elder abuse. Help for this type of abuse is now much more available than in the past.

Elders are often reluctant to report abuse themselves or ask for help, so if someone suspects abuse of any kind, a report should be made. Especially in the case of financial exploitation, it can be hard for an outsider to know that it was happening; so family members must be alert and must work together when caring for an elderly parent or relative. Communication is key, both with the elder and with other family members. Outside mediation is always an option if agreement cannot be reached among a family about an elder’s care or finances.

Our elders cared for us with love and understanding when we were young. It is only right that we repay that debt when the roles inevitably become reversed.