Creating And Protecting Your Legacy

Who are the main perpetrators of elder financial abuse?

On Behalf of | Nov 30, 2020 | Elder Law and Medicaid Planning |

Just like anybody else, the elderly may be victims of abuse. Many varieties of elder abuse overlap with general abuse categories. For example, it is possible for an elderly victim of sexual, physical or emotional abuse.

However, there is a unique variety of abuse endemic among the elderly: financial abuse. According to the Nursing Home Abuse Center, financial abuse involves an individual attempting to fraudulently hijack an elderly person’s financial assets in some manner.

Who is likely to perpetrate this crime? 

Most commonly, the abuser is somebody that the elderly person knows well or holds in high esteem. It is not uncommon for family members to perpetrate this variety of abuse. However, it is also not unheard of for nursing home assistants or other aides to be guilty of this as well.

What are some characteristics of the abusers? 

In the event that the abuser is a relation of the elderly person, many things may drive the abuser to seek financial control. For instance, the abuser may feel as though the elderly person’s belongings are already their property. It is also not uncommon for adult children with addiction issues to try and hijack their parents’ assets. An abuser may also be afraid that the elderly person will use up all of their money and as a result the abuser will receive no inheritance.

For abusers who are not blood-related, it is not uncommon for them to take advantage of isolated elderly persons who are lonely. Abusers may also charge the elderly too much for products and services that the elderly person may or may not need.