Introduction There are several different types of crimes committed against the elderly. A person is usually defined as elderly when he or she turns sixty-five or retires. The elderly population makes up a significant part of the United States population. Also, the population is expanding as the baby boomer generation began to retire. The baby boomer generation has raised some concern, because it is suspected that the baby boomer generation will be wealthier than in the past. This could lead to an increase in crimes committed against the elderly. Crimes committed against the elderly included property crimes, abuse, neglect, and fraud. The crimes are serious and can lead to finical loss, physical pain, and health problems. It is …show more content…
This number only included reported finical abuse cases. Financial abuse occurs in three different ways. The first form of finical abuse committed against the elderly is misconception. The elderly are tricked in to giving their money to strangers. This type of finical abuse involves cons and scams. An example of this can be an elderly person paying shipping taxes for a prize they one. However, there is no prize and someone pockets the money. Sadly, this type of finical abuse is most common and the number of reported scams and cons doubled from 7% in 2008 to 14% in 2010 (Shilling, 61). The second type of finical abuse is Fraud. According to Financial Elder Abuse by Dana Shilling, “51 % of frauds were committed by strangers, and 34% by family, and neighbors (59).” There have been many case of fraud against the elderly including AARP, Medicaid, and Medicare fraud. The elderly are not receiving the benefits from these companies due to fraud. The third type of finical crime is occupation. This type of crime is based on the need for money. A family, caregiver, or friend exploits the elderly for money or a place to live. The elderly may not realize that the caregiver is using them or using their money for personal gain. This type of finical abuse is common and usually unreported. (Shilling) Elderly Neglect Elderly neglect occurs when basic needs are not being meet.
Financial abuse - is, for example, illegal or unauthorized use of a person’s property, money,
Many cases family members are the ones committing elder abuse, they think taking money from the elders is fine, what do they need it for? However, that’s not the case. The money does not belong to them; therefore they do not have the right to be touching that money, which is considered financial abuse.
A current ethical issue is elder abuse. The World Health Organization (WHO, 2015) defines mistreatment of the elderly, as “any single or repeated act or lack of appropriate action, occurring in any relationship where there is an expectation of trust, which causes harm or discomfort to an older person.” A distinction of elder abuse compared to domestic violence, sexual assault or fraud is that “elder mistreatment implies that the recipient of the mistreatment is in a situation or condition in which the ability to protect oneself is limited in some way” (Touchy & Jett, 2012, p. 401). Elder abuse represents a serious social problem, which is only on the rise because of the longevity and increased dependence of some elders (Martins, Neto, Andradea, & Albuquerquea, 2014).
While financial abuse often goes unreported, short changed revealed that 15% of respondents reported that the person living with dementia have been a victim of financial abuse such as cold calling, scam mail or miss-selling. 62% of carers reported that the person they care for had been approached by cold callers or doorstep sales people, and 70% reported that telephone callers routinely targeted the person they care for. Not only have people lost money, but they and their families have also been suffering stress, exhaustion and frustration as a result.
Although it does not usually make news headlines and is rarely discussed, nursing home residents and the elderly experience abuse sometimes on a daily basis. Medical errors, physical abuse, or stealing from them could all be classified as abuse. All around the world today, a population that is not able to help itself is being harmed, whether it is physical or sexual abuse, exploitation, or not being properly supervised; the elderly and nursing home residents are being abused.
Financial abuse involves taking others property or money, theft and the exploitation of other people’s resources.
* Financial abuse. Includes theft, fraud exploitation, pressure in connection with wills, property or inheritance or financial transactions.
What are the risk factors of elder financial exploitation? In a study conducted by the University of Virginia, there are four predominant types of elder maltreatment. This includes pure financial exploitation (PFE), physical abuse, neglect by others or self, and hybrid financial exploitation (HFE). PFE is elder financial exploitation without any other abuse cited. PFE is usually conducted by unknown individuals to the elderly victim, as in mortgage or home improvement scams. HFE is a combination of elder financial exploitation that includes neglect and/or abuse. HFE usually occurs when the victim is dependent on their caregiver who has power and authority over them. This study addressed the understudied societal problems of financial
The Ontario Network for the Prevention of Elder Abuse states that 10% of older adults are abused in some way; which is over 160,000 people in Ontario. Elderly abuse is categorized as the violence, mistreatment or neglect of an elderly person by caregivers, service providers, family, or even strangers (Canadian Government). A senior citizen can be abused physically, financially, psychologically, and rarely, sexually. The mistreatment is usually because of the influence a caregiver has over an older adult. The abuse on the elderly can happen in long term care facilities or in the home; it usually goes unnoticed and unreported (Elder Abuse and Neglect). The concern of abuse on the elderly population is a growing issue due to the increasing populace of older people and baby boomers; physical, financial, and emotional abuse are the most common forms. The problem needs to be taken more seriously, the types of abuse may vary, but regardless of the form, abuse among the elderly needs to end.
Abuse can happen to anyone, but elderly adults residing in nursing homes are more vulnerable and have a higher risk for abuse (Rasansky Law Firm, 2006, para. 1). Elders are among the fastest growing in the population, and because of this many more elderly
The purpose of this research proposal is to examine the factors that contribute to elder abuse. The aim of the research is to view how the elderly
This scholarly journal looks at elderly abuse in general. It talks about different ways one can notice that the senior is being abused and what to do about the abuse. It also describes different reasons why the abusers abuse the elderly. It says how elderly abuse can be very difficult to notice and it is also difficult to help the seniors. The article then describes the difficulties that seniors have when they are abused. It talks a little about senior homes and how the elderly are treated by the nurses. It also gives some specific examples of abuse and the role of the government in this situation. This article is very opinionated and the author expresses her views on the topic very clearly.
To better understand the scope of the problem, it is crucial that society knows what is considered as elder abuse and why it is important to resolve this issue. Elder abuse refers to any intentional or negligent act by a caregiver or any other person that causes harm or a risk of harm to a vulnerable adult. There are many forms in which an elder can be abused, “Elder Abuse and Neglect” Journal of Psychosocial Nursing & Mental Health Services distinguishes between the five most common types of elder abuse as well as their effects and/or common signs and symptoms for each. These types of abuse include physical abuse,
Hi, Shelby! Financial abuse for elderly seems to a problem that affects may elderly. “Approximately 56 percent of those who are called by telemarketers are age 50 or older.” (Kanel, K 2014 p222). An elderly person is natural to pray for someone to take advantage of. They believe almost anything the person tells them. Great Post!
There is no doubt that many elderly individuals will eventually need assistance with managing their finances, which includes making purchases on their behalf. Thus the older adult may provide their caregiver with cash, cheques and in some cases they may implement a power of attorney. Essentially, powers of attorney grant considerable power to named individuals, over both finances and property. Unfortunately, over time what evolves is an over spending of the older adults money solely benefiting the caregiver, moreover, these caregivers begin to develop a sense of entitlement (Gibson & Honn Qualls, 2012, p. 27). When considering financial abuse committed by strangers, many simple scams against older adults have surfaced over the years. For example, individuals may offer handyman services, recognizing that many older adults struggle with chores such as exterior window washing. However once paid, the individuals do not return to complete the job. It is interesting to note that of all reported elder abuse cases, financial abuse makes up more than half of all complaints (Friese & Collopy, 2010, p. 60).