Review article
https://doi.org/10.3935/rsp.v24i3.1423
Financial Abuse of the Elderly
Ines Vuić
Silvia Rusac
orcid.org/0000-0002-6953-9624
; Studijski centar socijalnog rada
Abstract
Financial abuse is the most common form of elder abuse. Therefore, it is a major social problem for vulnerable older people. It is difficult to determine the prevalence of financial abuse because of the diversity of its definitions and methods used to collect the data in a particular study. A large number of unreported cases occurs as an additional problem because of shame of victims, fear of judgment or lack of information about available possibilities of protection. Women are more frequently victims of financial abuse than men. Elderly people are at greater risk of abuse if they have cognitive impairments or if they are socially isolated with poor mental and physical health. The most common perpetrators of financial abuse are family members of abused elderly people, especially their adult children. Except them, perpetrators may be unknown persons and different institutions. They are specifically looking for the victim. Then the perpetrators take complete control and power over the victim and his/her material means by establishing an undue influence. The financial abuse of the elderly is rarely publicly discussed and victims are very poorly protected by law. A multidisciplinary approach of society and social institutions responsible for the protection of health, rights and interests of the elderly is necessary, in order to prevent the occurrence of financial abuse of the elderly and to provide victims with appropriate assistance and protection. In addition, it is necessary to raise awareness of the moral duty of all citizens to report violence, in order to achieve timely and effective protection of persons who are exposed to such violence.
Keywords
elderly; financial abuse; risk factors; prevention
Hrčak ID:
190473
URI
Publication date:
8.12.2017.
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