Financial well-being March 19, 2015 By
This is the fourth and last part of our elder financial abuse posts.
Now that you’re educated on elder financial abuse, how can you help an elder you feel is being financially abused?
Elder abuse is a violation of human rights and a significant cause of illness, injury, loss of freedom, isolation and despair among older persons. If you notice or suspect abuse:
Do your best to persuade the elder to let you or someone else trustworthy help resolve the situation.
- Offer to call a close relative you might know has influence in the person’s life.
- Encourage the victim to report any fraud to the police.
- Offer to help monitor his/her financial affairs at the bank more closely.
If you see evidence the person is not mentally competent to make choices, consider options such as:
- Discussing the matter with a relative or very close friend of the elderly person
- Recommending the elder person see his/her physician for a checkup
If the situation is severe, you might want to:
- Notify Adult Protective Services
- Notify other local, available social workers
Reporting options include:
- Your bank’s BSA or fraud officer
- Local law enforcement
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau - www.consumerfinance.gov/(202)435-7530
- National Center on Elder Abuse - www.ncea.aoa.gov
- Oklahoma Adult Protective Services - 1 (800) 522-1086
- Texas Adult Protective Services - www.txabusehotline.org/1(800)252-5400
I hope that my post have increased your knowledge and awareness. For additional information, I encourage you to contact one of the above entities.
Protect yourself, protect those you love.
