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Financial abuse of older people in Northern Ireland: the unsettling truth
- Author:
- COMMISSIONER FOR OLDER PEOPLE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
- Publisher:
- Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 24
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
This study provides evidence of the scope and scale of the financial abuse of older people in Northern Ireland. The study interviewed 1,025 people older people (aged 60 and over) across Northern Ireland were surveyed in relation to financial abuse. They were asked 29 questions in relation to their personal finances, money-management and decision-making in the last 12 months. The results found that that 21 per cent of older people surveyed had experienced some kind of financial abuse. The most prevalent forms of financial abuse identified were issues relating to money and possessions (7 per cent of respondents); buying and selling goods (6 per cent of respondents); and issues relating to charity contributions (4 per cent of respondents). Other types of financial abuse identified included: coercion to sign and fraudulent use of signatures; changes to legal and financial documents and investments; experience of coercion; bank account activity; deception and misuse of money; and issues relating to inheritance and power of attorney. Based on the result of the survey sample, which was representative of Northern Ireland’s older population, the findings suggest that over 75,000 older people are experiencing some form of financial abuse in Northern Ireland. (Edited publisher abstract)
Exploring the boundaries between interpersonal and financial institution mistreatment of older people through a social ecology framework
- Authors:
- NAUGHTON Corina, DRENNAN Jonathan
- Journal article citation:
- Ageing and Society, 36(4), 2016, pp.694-715.
- Publisher:
- Cambridge University Press
This analysis was based on a survey of community-dwelling older people (N = 2,021) aged 65 years and older, and examined self-reports of interpersonal and financial institution mistreatment. The prevalence of interpersonal financial abuse was reported by nearly 2 per cent of respondents compared to 1 per cent for financial institution mistreatment. The socio-demographic and health characteristics of the group who experienced interpersonal financial mistreatment were different from those who reported financial institution mistreatment. The boundaries between the two phenomena were explored using a social ecology framework that reflects the influences of ageism and normative practices on elder abuse. The study confirms previous international evidence on interpersonal financial abuse and provides preliminary data on financial mistreatment by financial institutions. The evidence has implications for policy and current preventative strategies that tend to ignore the influence of macro-contextual factors such as legislative and institutional normative practices, government policies and societal attitudes that can act as permissors of some types of financial mistreatment. (Edited publisher abstract)
Who's calling? Levels of cold calls and scams of older people in Northern Ireland
- Author:
- COMMISSIONER FOR OLDER PEOPLE FOR NORTHERN IRELAND
- Publisher:
- Commissioner for Older People for Northern Ireland
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 24
- Place of publication:
- Belfast
Drawing on the results of a survey, this report looks at the scale and nature of cold calls and scams affecting older people. The survey involved 1,025 older people and used a representative sample of Northern Ireland’s older population in terms of age group, region, gender and quintile of deprivation. Questions covered unsolicited calls, junk mail, coercion to sign and fraudulent use of signatures, and rogue traders pressurising older people into buying something that they later regretted. The figures show that significant numbers of older people are the victims of scams, with technological developments making older people more vulnerable. It also highlights the emotional impact of scams, which could result in older victims becoming more socially isolated. The survey found 67 per cent of respondents experienced unsolicited calls to their home, with 22 per cent receiving these calls once a week. In addition 2 per cent of respondents reported that they signed documents without understanding what they were signing and 4 per cent disclosed that they felt tricked or pressured into buying something that they later regretted. Short quotations from survey respondents are included. (Edited publisher abstract)
Safeguarding adults and mass marketing fraud: perspectives from the police, trading standards and the voluntary sector
- Authors:
- OLIVER Sean, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 38(2), 2016, pp.140-151.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Despite the growing awareness of mass marketing fraud (MMF) in the financial abuse of vulnerable older people, little empirical research has been undertaken in this area. This paper is one of the first to consider the perspectives of a range of professionals who work with victims of mass marketing fraud and financial crime. MMF is a growing threat in the financial abuse of older people, and is increasingly recognised as a concern for professionals involved in supporting and safeguarding vulnerable older people. This paper considers the themes emerging from a small exploratory qualitative study into the perspectives of professionals working to safeguard those at risk of MMF and considers some of the complexities involved in tackling MMF. This involves consideration of the techniques used to groom and lure victims in plausible looking frauds, and the factors that serve to reinforce their sustained involvement in such activity. (Publisher abstract)
Managing ageing and cognitive decline: challenges and opportunities for financial services: report on World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Agenda Council on Ageing Symposium
- Author:
- AGE UK
- Publisher:
- Age UK
- Publication year:
- 2016
- Pagination:
- 26
- Place of publication:
- London
This report summarises the second symposium of the WEF Global Agenda Council on Ageing on the implications of ageing and cognitive decline for financial services, which was hosted by Age UK in London, 3-4 February 2016. The presentations, panel discussions and workshops covered: the particular challenges and opportunities of Japan’s ageing society; cognitive vulnerability and resilience in later life; how ageing and dementia affect the capacity to manage money; challenges and opportunities for financial services; building resilience and reducing risk; changing technologies in financial services: opportunity or threat for people with cognitive decline; financial planning for an uncertain future; and how people living with cognitive decline can remain financially included. (Edited publisher abstract)
The Lichtenberg Financial Decision Screening Scale (LFDSS): a new tool for assessing financial decision making and preventing financial exploitation
- Authors:
- LITCHENBERG Peter A., et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 28(3), 2016, pp.134-151.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
One of the challenges in preventing the financial exploitation of older adults is that neither criminal justice nor noncriminal justice professionals are equipped to detect capacity deficits. Because decision-making capacity is a cornerstone assessment in cases of financial exploitation, effective instruments for measuring this capacity are essential. The authors introduce a new screening scale for financial decision making that can be administered to older adults. To explore the scale’s implementation and assess construct validity, the authors conducted a pilot study of 29 older adults seen by APS (Adult Protective Services) workers and 79 seen by other professionals. Case examples are included. (Edited publisher abstract)
Five-year all-cause mortality rates across five categories of substantiated elder abuse occurring in the community
- Authors:
- BURNETT Jason, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 28(2), 2016, pp.59-75.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
Elder abuse increases the likelihood of early mortality, but little is known regarding which types of abuse may be resulting in the greatest mortality risk. This study included N = 1,670 cases of substantiated elder abuse and estimated the 5-year all-cause mortality for five types of elder abuse (caregiver neglect, physical abuse, emotional abuse, financial exploitation, and polyvictimisation). Statistically significant differences in 5-year mortality risks were found between abuse types and across gender. Caregiver neglect and financial exploitation had the lowest survival rates, underscoring the value of considering the long-term consequences associated with different forms of abuse. Likewise, mortality differences between genders and abuse types indicate the need to consider this interaction in elder abuse case investigations and responses. Further mortality studies are needed in this population to better understand these patterns and implications for public health and clinical management of community-dwelling elder abuse victims. (Publisher abstract)
From “intrusive” and “excessive” to financially abusive? Charitable and religious fund-raising amongst vulnerable older people
- Author:
- REDMOND Mark
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 18(2), 2016, pp.86-95.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: The purpose of this paper is to explore the nature of both charitable and religious fundraising amongst vulnerable older adults. It is a practice that is hidden and opaque. The circumstances surrounding the death of Olive Clarke in spring 2015, however, suggest that it is a practice that involves 'intrusive' and 'excessive' practices. Fundraising amongst vulnerable older adults is largely unregulated and independently monitored. This paper argues that ensuring the protection of vulnerable older adults requires substantial change and new accountabilities. Design/methodology/approach: This paper explores current approaches to financial abuse and the focus on family and professional carers as the main likely perpetrators. However, using literature from both the USA and Australia, it considers notions of 'trust' and professional behaviour, and the way that vulnerable older adults are subject to new forms of abuse as a result of financial technology such as online and telephone banking. It links this with the practices of charitable fundraisers using techniques such as cold calling and direct mail. Findings: The circumstances surrounding the death of Olive Clarke suggest that charities, and those fundraise for charities appear to engage in a practice whereby they sell the names of likely donors to each other. This practice opens opportunities for abusive relationships to take place. At the same time many clergy operate like the single GP surgeries that allowed Shipman to practice unnoticed and unaccountable. The relationship between clergy and their aging congregation, who are relied upon to raise funds for church activities, open up the opportunity for abuse to take to place. Few records on charitable giving exist that permit regulation and independent scrutiny. Practical implications: In the wake of the death of Olive Clarke the Fundraising Standards Board has been tasked with reviewing the way charities raise funds amongst vulnerable older adults. No one has yet used the language of financial abuse, choosing to opt for the terms 'excessive' and 'intrusive' there is a need to shift this debate and encourage greater regulation and accountability. (Edited publisher abstract)
How older persons explain why they became victims of abuse
- Authors:
- MYSYUK Yuliya, et al
- Journal article citation:
- Age and Ageing, 45(5), 2016, pp.96-702.
- Publisher:
- Oxford University Press
Background: Elder abuse greatly impacts the quality of life of older individuals. Prevalence rates range from 3 to 30% depending on the definition used. Only about a dozen studies have explored how older victims themselves experience and explain abuse. It is essential that healthcare professionals understand the perceptions of older victims as they are among the most important groups to handle and report abuse. Design: A qualitative study on the perceptions and experiences of victims of elder abuse was conducted using in-depth semi-structured interviews. Setting: Abused individuals living independently, in residential care facilities and nursing homes. Subjects: six males and 11 females aged 63–90 years. Results: The main causes of abuse identified by older victims themselves were mutual dependency between victim and perpetrator, power and control imbalances, loneliness and a marginalised social position of older persons. Effects of abuse included negative feelings, physical and psychological distress, a change of personal norms and values, changed perspectives on money and low self-efficacy. These differential effects depended upon the types of abuse experienced and the relationship with the perpetrator. Coping strategies mentioned by victims were seeking informal or professional help and using self-help strategies. Conclusion: Older victims perceive abuse differently depending on the expected acceptability of the type(s) of abuse experienced and the anticipated stigma associated with the perpetrator involved. The effects and chosen coping strategies are influenced by these considerations and therewith also influence their help-seeking behaviour. Healthcare professionals are encouraged to use these findings in practice to prevent, detect and intervene in elder abuse. (Publisher abstract)
Cognitive, social, and neural determinants of diminished decision-making and financial exploitation risk in aging and dementia: a review and new model
- Author:
- SPRENG R. Nathan
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Elder Abuse and Neglect, 28(4-5), 2016, pp.320-344.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The authors briefly review how changes in brain and in cognitive and social functioning, across the spectrum from normal to pathological ageing, can lead to decision-making impairments that increase abuse risk in many life domains (e.g., health care, social engagement, financial management). The review will specifically focus on emerging research identifying neural, cognitive, and social markers of declining financial decision-making capacity in older adults. The authors highlight how these findings are opening avenues for early detection and new interventions to reduce exploitation risk. (Edited publisher abstract)